Are you a resident of Little Rock who is looking for a way to permanently avoid activities like plucking, shaving, or waxing to remove unwanted hair? Millions of people have undergone convenient laser hair removal procedures to permanently unburden themselves of the need to engage in these kinds of tedious activities. Only a series of quick treatment sessions are needed to permanently remove hair from places like your face, arms, underarms, or legs.
What is Laser Hair Removal?
Laser hair removal is a procedure involving the use of a laser that destroys hair follicles and their ability to grow hair. It works through the direction of focused wavelengths of light into melanin, a part of your hair that gives it its color. After melanin has absorbed this energy, it is transformed into heat energy that destroys the hair bulb and hair follicle.
Who Qualifies for This Procedure?
Multiple factors play into whether you would make a good candidate for this procedure. In order to recognize these factors, it is critical to understand the way that lasers work to target hair. A laser is a type of intense, pulsating light. The laser light will target the melanin in your hair that gives it its color. When it targets this melanin, the laser damages the hair follicle without damaging your skin. Keeping this in mind, your skin type and specific hair type play a role in how effective the procedure will be for you.
The ideal candidate in Little Rock has hair that is dark and coarse. However, recent technological changes have allowed the treatment to be effective for a greater range of hair colors. Those with pale skin and dark hair make the best candidates due to the contrast between these colors, allowing for easier melanin targeting.
Most people qualify for laser hair removal procedures. Since those with more pigment in their hair respond best to the treatment, those with lighter colored hair do not always respond as well. We can determine if you would make an appropriate candidate for this procedure at your consultation with us.
Why are Multiple Treatments Needed?
The answer lies in the way that each individual hair follicle grows. A hair follicle goes through a number of cycles during its lifespan. Only a hair follicle in its growth phase can be treated since a hair shaft must be present. A hair follicle in a dormant phase has no hair present for laser targeting. Multiple treatments ensure that each and every hair follicle will have moved into a growth phase at some point and can be treated.
Are There Any Precautions I Should Be Aware Of?
Undergoing a laser procedure is the only sure way to reduce or permanently eliminate hair growth. This technique is typically used to remove unwanted hair from places like your face, armpits, neck, back, chest, arms, legs, and feet. Before undergoing your procedure, you will have a consultation with us so that we can inform you about every step of the treatment process and if you make a good candidate for the treatment.
You should stop waxing and plucking prior to your hair removal procedure. This procedure will target the roots of your hair, so it is important that you do not wax or pluck in the treatment area for a minimum of four weeks before your initial appointment. It is okay to shave if the hair root remains in place. In fact, you will need to have hair shaved down in the treatment area prior to your procedure.
You should also keep skin in the treatment area out of the sun for two weeks before your hair removal procedure. Note that this includes both self-tanners and tanning beds. This helps to prevent skin discoloration or other adverse events. If you cannot cover the treatment area while outside, be sure to use a good sunscreen each day.
As we mentioned before, the laser works by targeting hair roots. The root of your hair contains the pigment that absorbs the laser energy transmitted by the laser. You should avoid bleaching your hair since it could change the pigment and make your hair harder to target. Stop bleaching your hair six weeks before your treatment, allowing sufficient time for hair to grow back in its natural color.
Another precautions before undergoing your procedure is that you should inform us of any medications that you are currently taking, including topical preparations. This is because some medications can hinder your treatment or your recovery. Some drugs can sensitize your skin and make you more likely to experience adverse events.
Inform us of any and all medications that you are taking, including birth control, antibiotics, acne medication, and herbal or nutritional supplements.
Can I Wear Makeup During My Treatment?
Some ingredients found in beauty products can hinder the laser procedure. You should remove any substances before each of your treatment sessions; this includes makeup, deodorant, ointments, lotions, and any topical product used in the treatment area. Stick with simple soap and water to clean your skin in the treatment area. If you use makeup remover, be sure to rinse your skin thoroughly afterward.
What Should I Expect at My Laser Hair Removal Appointment?
After shaving down hair in the treatment zone, we will have you wear protective eye shields before starting the treatment. After calibration and a test of the laser equipment, your technician will transmit laser energy into the treatment area. This energy will be absorbed by the hair follicles, destroying them and their ability to grow unwanted hair.
Get In Touch with Us for More Information
If you are ready to achieve smoother skin with a laser hair removal procedure, we encourage you to reach out and make an appointment with Doctors Med Spa. At our convenient location in Little Rock, our caring and knowledgeable team of professionals will be pleased to explain this option to you in full and answer any questions you may have. Contact us today to set up your consultation – we look forward to speaking with you!