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Your Ultimate Guide to Laser Hair Removal: What You Need to Know Before Your First Appointment
How Does Laser Hair Removal Work?
Using concentrated light, laser hair removal targets hair follicles at the root. The pigment in each hair absorbs the light, which damages the follicle and inhibits future hair growth. Because the laser targets hair in the active growth phase, multiple sessions are required to achieve the desired results.
While laser hair removal is successful on a wide range of skin tones and hair types, it’s particularly effective on individuals with lighter skin and darker hair. We highly recommend coming in for a free consultation, so we can do a test patch on your skin to ensure you are a good candidate and see how you respond. During this initial visit, we will also create a plan uniquely tailored to your specific hair removal goals.
What to Expect
We understand that it can be daunting to come in for your first appointment when you’ve never been treated with a laser before. First and foremost, we want to emphasize that laser hair removal is safe, easy, and proven effective, especially when compared to waxing. Here are some of the most commonly asked questions we get about the laser hair removal process.
Does laser hair removal hurt?
During your session, a trained laser hair removal technician will use a handheld device to treat the desired areas. Most people report a mild snapping sensation like a rubber band lightly hitting the skin. Some areas may be more sensitive than others, but most patients find the procedure quite tolerable.
Assessing your pain tolerance is a crucial part of the initial consultation and customized treatment plan. For patients who do experience pain, we offer complimentary prescription-grade numbing cream with each appointment. If you choose to go this route, a topical anesthetic will be applied 15-45 minutes prior to treatment, and then we will proceed with your laser service. Patients who tend to be more sensitive and opt for the numbing cream report a significant reduction in discomfort.
How long does a laser hair removal session take?
The duration of each session will vary based on the size of the area we are treating. Small areas, like the upper lip, can be treated in minutes, while large areas, such as the legs or back, may take up to an hour.
We will discuss what you can expect from each treatment session in more detail during your first appointment, so you will have a solid understanding of what’s to come. And unlike many laser clinics out there, we allot plenty of time for each session to move at a pace that feels comfortable to you.
How many laser hair removal sessions will I need?
Body hair grows in cycles, and laser hair removal is most effective during the active growth phase. Because of this, multiple sessions are necessary to target all the hair follicles in a given area. Patients may need anywhere from 6 to 12 sessions, spaced around 4-6 weeks apart, to achieve the desired results.
As a reminder, specific timelines vary significantly depending on factors such as skin type, hair color and density, hormones, health conditions, and any medications/supplements you might be taking. While we can discuss a potential number of sessions during your consultation, please note that this is an estimate and can vary significantly. For some patients, an annual or bi-annual touch up might be recommended upon the completion of the recommended number of sessions.
Is laser hair removal safe?
Because lasers for hair removal only penetrate to the root of the hair follicle, this cosmetic procedure is deemed safe and effective when performed by a qualified laser hair removal professional. As with any procedure, there are potential risks, but these are minimal when the proper protocols are followed. Some patients may experience temporary side effects such as redness or irritation, but these are generally mild and resolve on their own.
When will I see results from laser hair removal?
The results of laser hair removal differ for everyone. Some people may notice changes within the first couple of sessions, while others may require more sessions in order to see full results. Over time, your hair will grow finer and thinner, and many patients experience long-lasting results with only occasional maintenance sessions. Because laser hair removal targets the follicle, the results last longer than other hair removal methods like shaving or waxing.
Preparing for Your First Appointment
Before your first laser hair removal session, we ask patients to take the following steps to ensure treatment efficacy.
2 Weeks Before Treatment
- Avoid sun exposure. Tan skin increases the risk of burns or pigmentation changes during laser treatment. Try to stay out of the sun or use a high-SPF sunscreen on the treatment area for at least two weeks before your appointment.
- Stop taking antibiotics. Because antibiotics increase your photosensitivity to the laser, we advise waiting to come in for treatment until 2 weeks after your last dose.
- Refrain from waxing, tweezing, plucking, epilating, and depilatories. While these hair removal methods interfere with laser treatment, as they remove the hair from the root, shaving is completely fine before, during or after your treatment regimen.
1 Week Before Treatment
- Avoid sunless tanner. To maximize results, we want to adjust the settings on the laser to your true skin tone.
- Take antiviral medication if you are prone to cold sores or have HSV-1 or HSV-2. Begin medication 1-2 days before coming in for treatment to prevent an outbreak. We also recommend continuing medication for 3-5 days after treatment, just to be on the safe side.
- If you are treating your face, stop using retinol/retinoids, acids, or active skincare ingredients. Especially for your first treatment, we want to avoid using the laser on skin that is highly sensitive or has a compromised barrier. Depending on your response to the first few sessions, we can determine a more personalized schedule for when to suspend strong skincare ingredients pre-treatment.
1-2 Days Before Treatment
- Shave the treatment area. In order to effectively send all the laser energy down to the root of the hair, we want hair at its shortest point. This allows the laser to kill the bulb without losing any energy out to the surface hair. The shorter the hair, the more comfortable experience you will have.
Day of Treatment
- Take a shower. Make sure to clean the treatment area with a mild soap or cleanser to remove buildup from the skin.
- Arrive with no makeup on the treatment area. This allows us to better tailor the laser settings to your natural skin tone.
- Skip the skin care products. Avoid applying lotions, deodorant, perfumes, or other topical products on the day of your session. Clean, dry skin is the ideal environment for laser treatment.
NOVALUNE Laser: Personalized Care for Every Body
At NOVALUNE Laser, inclusivity is at the core of our mission. We believe every client deserves a positive hair removal experience, and we are committed to making that a reality.
If you are located in the Denver area and interested in laser hair removal, NOVALUNE Laser can help! Book a FREE consultation, and we will create a treatment plan personalized to your unique skin care goals. We can’t wait to get started!
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