Laser hair removal is a popular procedure that we perform frequently here at Starkey Medical Esthetics in Salem, Virginia. It’s considered both a medical and cosmetic procedure, though it’s noninvasive and nonsurgical. If you’re considering getting laser hair removal, we break down everything you need to know in this blog.
Our family nurse practitioner and master esthetician, Michele Meinhart, FNP, explains more about what to expect during a laser hair removal session, how many treatments you’ll need, and outlines what makes someone a good candidate for the procedure.
To start the hair removal process, Michele Meinhart, FNP, uses a special device to guide a beam of laser energy into your hair follicles. The pigment in your follicles soaks in the light, which destroys the follicle at the root. The wounded follicle can’t regrow hair.
You won’t feel any pain, but we use a soothing gel to keep your skin cool so you don’t overheat during the procedure. There’s some slight redness after your session, but it’s minimal and shouldn’t keep you from getting right back to work, school, or your regular activities.
Keep in mind that this procedure won’t remove all the hair in the treated area at once. In general, most of our patients get great results after three to six treatments per area. After each treatment, you should notice the hair regrowth is much finer and shorter than before, and it eventually stops growing back altogether.
The most common areas that men and women treat for laser hair removal are:
Talk to our team about your area of concern. Laser hair removal can work almost anywhere on your body except on the tender skin around your eyes.
When you come in for your consultation, we take a close look at your skin and hair, talk with you about your health history, and customize a plan to remove your hair so you’ll know exactly what to expect. Each laser hair removal session lasts 20 to 30 minutes.
There is more to candidacy for laser hair removal than just wishing not to have hair in certain places on your body. Because of the way the laser light interacts with your hair follicle, there are a few factors that make some people better candidates than others, such as:
If you have fine hair or dark skin, this doesn’t mean you aren’t a candidate for laser hair removal, but your results may not be as profound as those who fit the factors mentioned above.
To get rid of your unwanted hair once and for all, call our Salem, Virginia, office to learn more or book an appointment online at your convenience.
