If you want to avoid the cumbersome ritual of waxing or shaving unwanted hair, the easiest way to remove hair from your body is by using a permanent laser hair removal procedure.
What is permanent laser hair removal?
Removing unwanted hair using a laser is a commonly used cosmetic procedure in the USA. It is a safe and non-invasive procedure where highly concentrated light is
What is a permanent laser hair removal process?
In the laser hair removal process, high heat laser radiation is used to heat the hair follicles, damaging them to prevent unwanted hair growth in the targeted areas.
The hair follicles in your body are located just below the skin. They help new hair strands to grow on your skin. When the follicles are destroyed, new hair growth in the targeted areas can be restricted.
The laser treatment can be used effectively in the following areas of the body.
- Face other than the eye area
- Neck
- Shoulders
- Bikini line
- Chest
- Back
Laser treatments are especially effective where dark course hairs are present on a light skin tone. The high-intensity laser beam targets the melanin pigment present in dark hairs. Even when some hair remains after treatment, the lightening of the hair color can reduce the visibility of hairs in your body.
The laser treatment is a quick process as each pulse of the laser takes a fraction of a second to remove many hairs simultaneously. Targeting small areas like the chin or upper lips can remove hairs in minutes.
Removing hairs from areas like legs and chest depends on the area covered and can last an hour or longer.
What are the permanent laser hair removal results?
Removing hair using a laser is a safe procedure where a laser is used to beam a high-intensity light on the hair follicles. The light turns into heat and is absorbed by melanin, a pigment in the hair. The heat damages the sac-like hair follicles preventing hair growth in such areas.
Although the laser treatment helps remove unwanted hairs, it does not permanently stop hair growth. The laser treatment puts the hair follicles in a dormant stage, much longer than other hair removal processes like waxing and plucking. When it grows back, the hair appears finer and less dense.
The treatment rarely causes significant side effects and can cause minor skin irritation or a change in the skin tone in the targeted area. The treatment is not recommended in the eyelids or eyebrows as the laser can cause severe eye injury.
What is the cost of laser hair removal?
The hair removal process using a laser can be more expensive than waxing and shaving. Still, the benefits can last longer, saving you effort and money.
The cost of laser hair removal depends on a variety of factors like:
- The area of the body covered
- The expertise of the doctors
- Geographical location, and
- Time required to perform the procedure.
While the average cost of an individual treatment session can range from $100 to $800 per treatment, you might need four to six treatments based on the body area covered.
The average laser hair removal cost based on the body area covered can be as follows:
- Laser treatment for large areas like legs or back can be $600 or more per treatment.
- In our Houston office, laser treatment for smaller areas like facial areas, including the chin and upper lips, is $200 per treatment and requires 3-6 visits.
- Areas like bikini lines can cost you $250 to $350 per treatment, while removing hair from the underarms can set you back by $175 to $225 per treatment.
Interested In Laser Hair Removal in Houston?
Does insurance cover hair removal?
Laser hair removal, a cosmetic procedure, is usually not covered by insurance unless such hair growth is due to medical reasons requiring such a procedure.
How do I prepare for laser hair removal?
To prepare for the hair removal procedure, you need to choose a doctor who is board-certified, like Dr. Bradford S. Patt, and specializes in dermatology or cosmetic surgery. It helps if the practitioner has extensive experience performing laser hair removal procedures for your skin type.
Be careful not to go to spas and salons that use nonmedical people to perform laser treatment for hair removal.
Before treatment, schedule a consultation with the practitioner who would advise you on the best procedure for your skin type and would recommend the number of sessions you might need for the treatment.
Before starting the treatment, your doctor would:
- Review your medical background considering your history of skin disorders, medicine use, and past hair removal procedures.
- Discuss the risks, benefits, and expectations of the procedure.
- Take photos for before and after treatment assessment and for long-term reviews.
You need to discuss the treatment plan and the cost of the procedure with the doctor. Laser hair removal is generally an out-of-pocket expense.
The doctor can also offer specific directions before performing the procedure, like:
- Avoid going out in the sun before and after treatment and use sunscreen of SPF 30 or more.
- Avoid medicines like aspirin or anti-inflammatory drugs before the procedure.
- Shaving and trimming hairs from the targeted area before treatment.
- Use skin lightening creams to lighten the skin, removing tan from the area.
The doctor would press a handheld laser machine on your skin during the procedure. A cooling gel is applied to cool down the skin and reduce side effects.
What is permanent laser hair removal aftercare?
You can have redness or swelling after the laser hair removal procedure. You can apply ice to the treated area to reduce discomfort. If having any skin reactions, your doctor can recommend using a steroid cream to treat the same.
You need to avoid sun exposure and use sunscreen with broad-spectrum SPF 30 daily after the treatment. Also, avoid tanning beds at least six weeks after that as prescribed by the doctor.
Usually, repeated treatments are necessary to follow the hair fall and regrowth routine. Laser treatment is more effective when hair is in the new growth stage.
The results of such a procedure can vary significantly. The hair removal can last for several months and sometimes for years. But it may not remove hairs permanently and could require follow-up treatments to keep hair growth in check.
Schedule your Permanent Laser Hair Removal at the Houston Center for Facial Plastic Surgery
We offer the latest technology ensuring safe, effective, and fast removal of unwanted hair. The procedure usually takes 3-6 treatments, performed at an interval of 4-6 weeks. This treatment cannot treat blond, red, or grey hairs.
If you are looking for laser hair removal near me, speak to our professional staff at the Houston Center for Facial Plastic Surgery, please contact us here.
