The Truth About Laser Hair Removal: Albuquerque Doctors Explain

For anyone eyeing warm weather ahead and considering laser hair removal, Albuquerque-based dermatologists at Western Dermatology Consultants offer some tips to ensure that men and women alike receive the results they are looking for, and what kind of time frame to expect.

Spring or earlier represent a good time to start a laser hair removal regimen in order to achieve the clean, smooth, and hairless look so often sought after for the summer swimsuit season. Laser hair removal is effective, but the desired results can take some time.

Typically, several appointments are required before the targeted hair begins to fall out. When patients achieve hair loss, they lose the hair at the root level, and it does not grow back.

A laser hair removal specialist will have more information on how to help get smooth, hairless skin, whether on an upper lip or an entire back.

How Laser Hair Removal Works

Laser hair removal utilizes pulses of light to destroy unwanted hair follicles, and has been practiced within the dermatology world since the mid-1990s. Laser hair removal is designed to benefit those who are unhappy with consistent shaving, tweezing, or waxing to remove unwanted hair.

The pulses only impact follicles that are in an active growth phase, and not all follicles are in the same phase at the same time. Multiple sessions spaced six weeks or so apart will likely be necessary to achieve total hair removal.

The equipment used can be adjusted to the color, thickness, and location of the hair to be removed, and will also take skin color into consideration. All skin color types are treatable, making laser hair removal a viable option for just about anyone seeking permanent results. Just note that darker skin types present some unique, but not insurmountable challenges.

What to Expect in a Treatment

The truth is there is a mild level of discomfort associated with laser hair removal, but patients typically find that the end result makes it worth it. The process can feel like having a rubber band snapped against your skin. Despite the temporary sensation, the treatment remains a highly popular way to rid the body of unwanted hair.

Patients will also need to take some standard safety precautions as they undertake laser hair removal treatments, such as wearing appropriate eye protection. A cold gel is also used to help protect the outer layers of skin.

After a session, the treated skin may feel like it has a mild sunburn for about 24 hours, but a cold compress or a moisturizer might help. Patients should wear sunscreen over the treated areas following the appointment to prevent temporary changes in the color of their skin. 

Hair may appear to grow for a short period of time following an appointment, but after some time much of it will begin to fall out, bringing the desired results closer.

For Best Results

Laser hair removal is more than simply zapping hair; it is a medical procedure. Anyone seeking the treatment is strongly advised to visit a dermatology practice staffed by doctors with the proper credentials and who have plenty of experience in conducting or overseeing the necessary procedures. Risks associated with the procedure are drastically lessened when it is performed by someone who has been specifically trained.

In order to improve the end results, it is important to limit tweezing and plucking in the weeks before an appointment. The laser targets the root of the hair, and physically pulling hairs out at their roots can complicate the process.

It is also a good idea to avoid exposure to the sun in the weeks before an appointment. Sun exposure can make the removal less effective, undermining the desired results.

Is Laser Hair Removal the Right Option?

Laser hair removal is a safe and routine procedure practiced all around the United States. The staff at a practice offering laser hair removal can guide any patient through the process and toward the sought-after results.

Laser hair removal cost is typically based on the size of the area treated and number of treatments required.

For more information, talk to a trusted dermatologist. The staff at Western Dermatology Consultants in Albuquerque can answer questions. Visit westerndermatology.com.