Summer is just around the corner, which means it is time to get your body in top bathing suit condition. While shaving, tweezing and waxing may get rid of hair for a short time, a permanent solution exists: laser hair removal.
Are you looking for a permanent body or facial hair solution? Read on to find out if laser hair removal is right for you.
How it works: Laser hair removal works by emitting a beam of highly concentrated light into hair follicles. The laser beam is attracted to the dark brown pigment (melanin) in the center of the hair follicle. When the hair follicle is heated, the growth center of the hair is destroyed and the skin remains unaffected. Because the laser is attracted to brown pigment, coarse dark brown and black hair is the easiest to treat. A person with light skin and dark hair has the ideal skin-hair color combination for laser hair removal. Hair can only be treated during its active growing phase, which means that multiple sessions are required to remove all of the hair in a given area.
What to expect: Specific lasers are chosen based on a patient’s specific hair type, hair color and skin color. The doctor will then perform a test dose of laser light to the treatment area and watch the area for several minutes to make sure the best settings were used and to observe how your skin responds to the laser. Then treatment will begin. Typically, small areas such as the upper lip can be treated in less than a minute, and large areas, such as the entire back or both legs, in only 15 to 20 minutes. Once the procedure is completed, you may be given ice packs, a topical cream, or a cold compress to ease any mild discomfort. It is common to have some mild pinkness and a mild sunburn sensation for up to several hours after treatment.
Lasting results: In the next month following each session, treated hair will fall out. Slowly, you will see new hair growth, but this will become less and less after each treatment and hair will become finer and more sparse. Hair may be shaved between sessions. Dr. Brunner encourages using sunscreen in between sessions to prevent tanning, as it can diminish the effects of the laser. Once all session are done, patients are left with smooth, bump-free skin.
Laser Hair Removal in Princeton, NJ
To learn more about laser hair removal or any of the cosmetic treatments we offer, we encourage you to contact us today and schedule a consultation with Dr. Brunner. Our office is located in Princeton, and you can reach us directly at (609) 921-9497. We look forward to meeting you!