Everything You Need to Know About Laser Hair Removal
Laser hair removal makes the endless aggravation of shaving, waxing, or plucking a thing of the past! At Better U Medical Spa in Englewood, NJ we have helped hundreds of men and women achieve the silky smooth face and body of their dreams with state-of-the-art Cutera laser hair removal.
In this article, board certified Englewood, NJ physician Dr. Hetal Gor explains everything you need to know about laser hair removal.
What Is Laser Hair Removal?
If you are “blessed” with thick hair that grows in unwanted places on your body, then hair removal is probably one of the most dreaded, never-ending tasks in your hygiene regimen. If you are sick and tired of constantly having to remove unwanted hair, there is only one permanent option: laser hair removal.
Laser hair removal devices – like Cutera which we use in our Englewood Med Spa – actually destroy the hair follicle itself with heat energy. Unlike waxing, plucking and shaving, which only remove the top of the hair, when lasers kill the follicle the hair cannot grow back.
How Laser Hair Removal Works
Hair removal lasers are not like the blinding rays you see in science fiction movies. Rather hair removal lasers use tiny, targeted beams of specific wavelengths of light energy that are absorbed by the melanin (pigment) in the hair follicle, while not affecting the surrounding skin.
The follicle absorbs the energy, which destroys the hair follicle. Many laser hair removal systems work better on darker pigmented hair on white or lighter skin – since the pigment in darker skin can also absorb the laser light energy.
However, Cutera laser hair removal – which we use in our Englewood, NJ med spa – can be used darker skin. It is also safe for use in treating more sensitive areas with thinner skin, such as the neck, genital area, or face.
Laser Hair Removal Takes a Few Sessions
Hair grows in stages or “phases” – with a follicle resting phase, and an active growth phase. At any given time, only a certain amount of hair follicles are active, while other follicles will be in the resting phase. And, hair follicles must be in the active growth phase in order to be treated and destroyed by the laser.
Men generally require anywhere from 3 to 6 laser hair removal treatments, spread over several months, to ensure every hair follicle is treated during its growth phase. Women may require fewer treatments, depending upon the thickness of the hair growth being removed.
The Laser Hair Removal Process
Just as some lasers are better than others at treating darker skin tones, some lasers are more comfortable than others.
Older generations of laser hair removal devices were quite painful – and unfortunately some med spas and salon operators are still using these today. State-of-the-art Cutera laser hair removal device incorporates a sapphire contact cooling technology that keeps the skin cool during treatment for a more comfortable experience.
Many patients compare the sensation of the actual laser hair removal process to the feel of the snap of a rubber band on the skin.
Downtime After Laser Hair Removal
As long as you obtain your laser hair removal in a medical spa that operates under the supervision of a board certified physician – like Dr. Hetal Gor in Englewood, NJ – there should be no complications and no downtime. Note that laser burns, hyperpigmentation and infection can occur if the lasers are operated by non-medical professionals, such as at a salon.
With modern laser hair removal equipment like Cutera the only “recovery” may be some slight pink or reddish color to the skin – which typically dissipates within a day. The only warning is to avoid hydroxy acid skin products, retinoids, and sun exposure for the period prescribed by your doctor after treatment. This will prevent irritation and dark spots (hyperpigmentation).
LASER HAIR REMOVAL – ENGLEWOOD, NJ
Removing hair with lasers offers excellent results, at the fastest speed, with the least amount of discomfort. And, unlike other types of hair reduction, laser hair removal is permanent.
Schedule an appointment at our Englewood, NJ Med Spa and see how this painless and innovative laser hair removal treatment can give you smooth skin anywhere on your body!