For men and women who want long-term hair reduction, laser hair removal is the ideal treatment. The procedure directs laser energy at the pigment in the hair to heat the active hair follicles, so they produce no hair.
While nearly any area of the body can be treated, several sessions are needed to reduce hair, as hair growth occurs in phases. The laser only targets active follicles, so each session will target hair during a different growth phase.
Both men and women can benefit from laser hair removal. Common treatment areas include:
Legs
Face
Neck
Ear lobes
Shoulders
Underarms
Back
Chest
Abdomen
Buttocks
Bikini lines
Most people can benefit from laser hair removal as long as they have some pigmentation to their hair. The laser targets pigment, so hair removal is most effective for those with dark hair and light skin. It’s also best for those with realistic expectations. A series of treatments is required, followed by maintenance treatments over time to achieve the best results. Patients should be committed to the idea of removing unwanted hair. As time goes on, the interval between maintenance sessions gets longer.
Because the skin around the hair follicles is impacted during treatment (to disable the follicle), it is typical to experience some redness, swelling and itching around the target areas. Some report tingling and numbness, as well, but these side effects are almost always resolved within three days. After the first session, you will want to schedule follow-up treatments to get the optimal benefit from laser hair removal.