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Laser hair removal is the long-term removal of unwanted hair from specific areas of the body. Though itโs considered cosmetic, itโs actually a medical procedure that involves damaging the hair follicle in the skin to remove the hair and prevent or slow hair growth in the future. Laser hair removal is a medical procedure that involves using a beam of laser light to damage hair follicles in the skin, which effectively removes the hair from specific areas of a person's body and prevents its future growth.
According to David Li, MD, MBA, a board-certified dermatologist at Boston Derm Advocate, a digital platform dedicated to evidence-based skincare, laser hair removal is done in cases of excessive hair growth, or simply to remove unwanted hair in certain areas of the body. Dr. Liโs patients commonly opt for treatments on the armpits, bikini line, and the upper lip or the chin. Dr. Li said heโs also performed laser hair removal on patients undergoing gender-affirming care.
Specific preparation instructions will come from the doctor performing the treatment, but generally, Dr. Li advises his patients as follows:
The skin should also be clean and free of moisturizers or other non-prescribed topical treatments.
If performed by an experienced doctor, the risks of laser hair removal are relatively low. The biggest risks of the treatment include hyperpigmentation (darkening) or hypopigmentation (lightening) of the skin, or in some cases, burns that result in scarring or blistering.
Common side effects of laser hair removal include:
According to Eric Carniol, MD, MBA, a double board-certified plastic surgeon specializing in hair loss and treatments, patients should not expect permanent or total removal of the hair. โItโs really laser hair reduction,โ he says.
โWe aren't going to remove every single hair,โ Dr. Li reiterates, โBut the vast majority of hairs should be removed.โ Dr. Li advises patients to expect about six to eight sessions for 60% to 80% improvement.
Areas with dark and coarse hair respond best to laser hair removal treatments. Individuals with blond or red hair are not the best candidates for treatment, according to Dr. Carniol.
Prior to the procedure, patients will dress so the area for treatment is exposed, and wear protective eyewear. They may also be given topical numbing medicine 30 to 60 minutes before the treatment begins.
During the procedure, the laser will pass over the area of skin thatโs being treated, โdelivering a high dosage of energy and heat into the hair shaft,โ says Dr. Li. He adds that patients should expect some discomfort that โfeels like a rubber band snap.โ Depending on the area of the treatment, the procedure can last anywhere from five minutes to more than an hour, according to Dr. Carniol. He noted that you may also smell burning hair during the treatment.
Following treatment, patients should keep the treated area moisturized and continue to use any medicines prescribed by their doctor, sometimes a topical steroid to reduce inflammation and hyperpigmentation.
They should also avoid sun exposure for at least four weeks. โIf they must go into the sun, they have to wear SPF 50 and UV-protective clothing,โ Dr. Li says. โBut in general, they should just avoid the sun altogether for a month.โ
In terms of activity, thereโs no downtime after laser hair removal, though some patients may experience redness and irritation in the treated area for two to three days.
Results can take a few weeks to appear, as Dr. Li reminds patients that the laser isnโt actually removing the hair during treatment. Rather, the damage to the hair follicle causes hair to โfall out over time and reduce the likelihood of regrowth.โ The exact timing can depend on the area being treatedโthe more dense the hair, the longer it can take to fall out.
As with at-home laser removal, the results arenโt permanent. Typically patients should expect to undergo treatment every couple of years to maintain high-level results.
Depending on the area, itโs usually safe to undergo treatment sessions every four to eight weeks. Treatments done too frequently can be less effective and carry higher risks. Hairs need time to regrow and become visible in order for the laser to find them again. The likelihood of unfavorable side effects also increases without adequate time between sessions.
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