Laser hair removal has solidified its position as one of the most popular cosmetic treatments on the market. Why? Because, frankly, not everyone enjoys the appearance of hair. Whether you want to stop worrying about shaving or waxing every few days or prefer a smoother appearance, laser hair removal is the only way to attain long-term correction.
1. How Much Is Laser Hair Removal?
This is a pretty tricky question because of how many different factors play a role in your treatment. If you are looking to have a small area removed, you are likely going to be looking at a more affordable price than someone who has hair removed throughout their entire arms. Plus, there are many different laser hair removal devices on the market.
If you are an average patient, you can expect to pay anywhere between $250 and $500 per session. The only way to get a perfect estimate is to schedule a consultation with our Sacramento office to conduct a physical examination and listen to your goals.
2. Is Laser Hair Removal Permanent?
The short, unfortunate answer is no; laser hair removal is long-lasting but not permanent. But that answer is a little too simple to get a good understanding of what to expect. Unlike waxing or shaving, which only removes existing hair, laser treatment damages the follicles themselves to deter hair growth in the future.
After being damaged by laser energy, the hair that does eventually grow back is significantly lighter and finer than it would normally have been. This is often satisfactory to achieve the average patient’s goals since the hairs can become virtually invisible.
Eventually, though, hair growth may return and follow-up treatment may be required. But it is common for patients to go 10 years before they even need to begin considering follow-up.
3. Does Laser Hair Removal Hurt?
Compared to waxing, laser hair removal is generally considered to have minor pain levels associated with it. Our patients often liken the experience to being lightly snapped by a rubber band on the skin. When dealing with larger areas like the legs, it is normal to become a little more agitated by the subtle pain of the treatment. Generally, even if you do not have a strong tolerance for pain, most patients can sit through the treatment comfortably.
4. How Does Laser Hair Removal Work?
Laser hair removal works by concentrating light and redirecting it onto the surface of the skin. When the light hits the skin, it is transferred and converted into thermal energy. This heat closes and damages the hair follicles on the skin, resulting in weaker hair growth in the targeted area.
5. Is Laser Hair Removal Safe?
According to all of the cutting-edge research, laser hair removal is completely safe. There are some risks you need to avoid, such as having treatment near the eyes or avoiding it entirely if you are pregnant. Some rare skin conditions may also pose additional risks, so it is always best to consult with your practitioner before having the procedure performed.
There is a common misconception that laser hair removal can cause cancer since tiny amounts of radiation are used. While laser hair removal does include traces of radiation, it is being concentrated only on the surface of the skin, which also prevents the radiation from becoming harmful. The bottom line: There is no research or data to show that laser hair removal causes cancer.
6. Does At-Home Laser Hair Removal Work?
We generally do not condone the use of at-home laser hair removal systems for initial or follow-up treatment. Laser energy is dangerous and can cause damage to the skin, and it is vital to make sure that the procedure you are undergoing is safe for your health conditions.
Safety aside, at-home systems are generally not powerful enough to provide substantial damage to the hair follicles, which means the results are rarely worth the investment. Since many of these systems can be very expensive, it is often much more cost-efficient to have professional treatment performed anyway.
7. How Many Sessions for Laser Hair Removal?
Laser hair removal is a process, and most patients can expect to need between four and six separate sessions spaced out six weeks apart from one another to achieve optimal results. While the whole process can take nine months to complete, improvement after just one session is common, and many of our patients are already ecstatic about their results by treatment two or three.
8. Can You Get Laser Hair Removal While Pregnant?
We do not recommend having laser hair removal performed while you are pregnant. While there is no data to show that laser hair removal is harmful to pregnant women or their babies, there has also been no research conducted to show that it is safe. So we stand with the rest of the medical community by saying it is better to avoid it than take a risk.
9. How Long Does Laser Hair Removal Take?
Even for patients who are having large areas like their arms or legs treated, we can generally complete a laser hair removal session within an hour. This can go down drastically if a smaller area is being treated or if there is less hair to contend with from the start. Keep in mind that multiple sessions will be required.
10. How to Prepare for Laser Hair Removal?
Laser hair removal is a noninvasive procedure, which means there is no need for lengthy preparations. You will likely be able to continue your usual lifestyle and routines without missing a beat in the days and weeks leading up to your procedure. We do tell our patients that avoiding sun exposure is essential since sun-damaged skin can become problematic during treatment.
Ready for Laser Hair Removal?
If you are interested in moving forward with laser hair removal or if you are interested in getting more information about how this treatment can help you meet your aesthetic goals, visit our med spa in Sacramento or call us at (916) 333-4906. We know aesthetic treatment can be overwhelming, and we are looking forward to helping you through this process.
