Use of Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation, or “laser” for short, has become commonplace in just about every facet of our lives from checking out at the grocery store to listening to your favorite music to the medical profession. Laser hair removal is by far one of the most popular cosmetic surgical procedures for all ages, genders and demographics, for one simple reason: It works! Unlike electrolysis, laser hair removal is noninvasive, has a lower incidence of side effects and post-procedural issues and still noticeably reduces or eliminates unwanted hair from just about anywhere on the body.
How It Works
Laser hair removal emits intense, focused light at a specific frequency, or “wavelength,” which resonates with a specific chemical in the bulb papilla region of the hair follicle. This bulb is the center of hair growth, otherwise known as the root, and provides both nourishment and protection for the vulnerable root of the hair follicle. If you’ve ever plucked an unwanted hair by the root, you know how painful this can be!
Unlike plucking, tweezing, electrolysis or shaving, laser hair removal targets melanin, the same pigment which gives light-complexioned people freckles and dark-complexioned people their skin color. Melanin absorbs light, protecting the skin. In the hair, this same property of melanin allows laser hair removal to damage the follicle.
You may have heard laser hair removal and other light-based depilatory therapies might require multiple treatments to achieve the optimal effect. Unlike many “hearsay” rumors about cosmetic procedures, this one happens to be true! The reason is that, just like any of the other cellular structures in your body, your hair grows in cycles, and those cycles are not uniform throughout the body. Laser hair removal affects hair in the active growth cycle, and a number of factors may influence what cycle the hair in a given location of the body is in at any given time. For this reason, multiple treatments are the norm. Normally hair does not grow back, and any hair which does normally appears lighter and thinner than the original hair in the area.
What to Expect During and After Treatment
Laser hair removal can take anywhere from a few minutes to a few hours, depending upon the size and location of the area to be treated. Typically, laser treatments are spread out over a period of 4-6 weeks between treatments. This is both to maximize the chances of destroying the most hair during its active growth phase, when hair is most responsive to laser therapy, and to minimize the risk of damage to the surrounding skin. Within approximately a month after initial treatment, the affected hair in the treated area will simply fall out.
Most patients observe moderate pinkness or redness of the treated area the day after treatment, like a mild sunburn. Some patients may experience blistering, especially those with darker complexions because of the higher concentration of melanin in the skin. If blistering is not present and the laser therapy was applied to the facial area, patients can typically wear makeup the next day. Scarring is rare, but possible, and certain patients with unusually delicate skin types may be more susceptible to this side effect. However, permanent damage to the skin is very rare.
Patients should wear sunscreen, avoid direct sunlight and may be prescribed a special skin conditioning regimen as aftercare to prevent temporary changes in the overall color of the skin, as well as observing any other post-procedural care protocols established by the surgeon.
At Atlantic Coast Aesthetics, we strive to make procedures such as laser hair removal affordable for everyone! If you’ve been considering this treatment to get your body beach-ready for the coming summer, there’s never been a better time than right now. We’re offering special deep discounts on laser hair removal packages for every part of the body from head to toe. Check out these limited-time prices!
*Laser Hair Removal Packages
*Includes 6 Sessions
Small Area $129
Includes areas such as:
- Upper Lip
- Sideburns
- Abdominal Line
- Chin
- Ears
- Aureolas
Medium Area $199
Includes areas such as:
- Front of neck
- Bikini line
- Buttock line
- Underarms
- Inner thighs
Large Area $349
Includes areas such as:
- Full Brazilian or bikini area
- Shoulders
- Legs below the knee
Extra-Large Area $449
- Full torso (back OR abdomen)
For more information or to schedule a consultation, call us at (561) 295-1871or click here to send us an email! We’re always happy to answer any questions you may have about any facet of cosmetic surgery. Remember, at ACA, we believe the only bad question is the one you don’t ask!