Laser Hair Removal Answers
Did you know that Total Family Wellness can meet all of your laser hair removal needs? The procedure is just one of the aesthetics services that Dr. Moss offers. How long does laser hair removal last? Do you find yourself asking where is there laser hair removal near me? Total Family Wellness is located in Clearwater, FL.
Seeing a doctor for non-surgical laser hair removal is safer and more convenient than visiting a spa or laser center.
If you are considering this procedure, you probably have some questions about what to expect. Here are the answers to some of the most common laser hair removal questions.
Does laser hair removal hurt?
Laser hair removal is not painful, but it might be uncomfortable for some patients.
Some people may feel slight pinpricks or heat sensations during laser hair removal treatment. These are caused by the heat from the laser warming the skin.
At Total Family Wellness, we use an instrument called the Alma Harmony XL Pro. This instrument comes equipped with ICE™ simultaneous cooling technology.
It cools down the skin on contact, which minimizes the pinpricks you might otherwise feel. The cooling technology also decreases the risk of side effects such as blisters or skin irritation.
Thanks to the advanced aesthetics instruments that we use, laser hair removal is virtually painless.
How soon will I see results?
Laser hair removal is a process, so you will not see results right away.
Some patients notice that their hair seems lighter or thinner two to three weeks after the first session. You may also notice some hairs falling out during the same time frame.
But new hairs will continue to grow because of the hair follicles’ growth cycle. The laser only targets hair follicles that are in the anagen phase or growth phase.
That is why you need multiple laser hair removal sessions. Your follow-up sessions will target the hair follicles that may have been in different phases of the growth cycle during your first session.
Most patients notice semi-permanent hair loss within five to six sessions. You may need quarterly or semi-annual maintenance treatments after that, but most patients will be hair-free by the end of six sessions.
How do I prepare for Laser Hair Removal?
The first step in getting non-surgical laser hair removal is to schedule a consultation.
During the consultation, Dr. Moss will evaluate your skin to look for scarring, pigmentation, and other factors that may affect the treatment. She will also review your medical history, including any current medications that you are taking.
We will explain your treatment plan, including the number of sessions we recommend and any risks you need to be aware of.
As always, we will take the time to review the process with you and answer any questions you may have. Dr. Moss will also explain several things you need to do to prepare for your first session.
You will need to limit sun exposure four to six weeks before and after laser hair removal sessions. Sun exposure darkens the skin, making it harder for the laser to target the pigment of the hair follicles.
It is also important to avoid fake tanning products, including spray tans and tanning lotions.
If you typically wax or pluck the treatment area, you will need to stop these practices for at least four weeks before laser hair removal. You can shave the area instead, and you should shave the day before treatment.
Each of these preparations needs to be followed before all of your cosmetic laser hair removal sessions, not just the first one.
The Total Family Wellness team will schedule all of your follow up sessions, typically with four to eight weeks between sessions.
How does laser hair removal work?
Laser hair removal is a remarkably simple process. The laser scans your skin to identify hair follicles. It uses differences in pigmentation to focus on the hair follicles instead of your skin.
Once the laser has identified a hair follicle, it sends highly concentrated light into the follicle. The pigment in the hair follicle absorbs the light, which raises the temperature in the follicle.
That increased heat destroys the hair follicle, preventing new hair from growing.
Over the next few weeks, the old hair will die because it will no longer get nutrients from the follicle. That causes it to fall out of your skin.
It takes several sessions to make sure that all hair follicles have been treated. Hormonal changes can create new hair follicles, which is why you may need maintenance treatments every three to six months.
Why should I go to a doctor instead of a spa or laser center?
There are plenty of places to get cosmetic laser hair removal treatments. They are often available at spas or specialized laser centers.
However, these facilities are not as safe as getting your aesthetics treatments from a doctor’s office.
Personnel at spas and laser centers typically do not have medical training, so they don’t know how to watch for signs of skin irritation or potential allergic reactions.
The Total Family Wellness team has the training and experience to identify and treat adverse reactions if they do occur. More importantly, Dr. Moss also knows her patients.
She will review your current medications to prevent adverse reactions to the laser. Dr. Moss knows your medical history, so she can predict the kinds of reactions and side effects that you might experience.
We will use our knowledge of our patients and the treatment equipment to ensure that your laser hair removal treatment is as painless and effective as possible.
If you are already a Total Family Wellness patient, you can schedule your medical check-ups and other appointments at the same time as your laser hair removal sessions. It doesn’t get any more convenient than that!
So, what are you waiting for? Click here or call us to schedule your consultation today!