Laser Hair Removal

What do laser hair removal treatments feel like?

The handpiece cools and soothes as it glides along your skin. When the pulse of light is delivered, some patients experience a mild pinching or stinging sensation. No local anesthesia or pain medication is typically required. However, some patients may prefer to use a topical anesthetic when sensitive areas are treated.

You will see noticeable results on day 3 or 4 when the superficial tissue has peeled off, leaving fresh, new, healthy skin underneath.

How many treatments will I need?

Most areas require three to six treatments. However, the number of laser hair removal treatments required for optimal long-term benefits depends on multiple factors — hair thickness, the area treated and your hair's growth cycle.

Not all hairs are actively growing at the same time and actually go through three distinct phases — growth, regression and resting. Laser hair removal treatments work by disabling the hair that is principally in the active growth phase at the time of treatment. Since other hairs will enter this active growth phase at different times, additional treatments may be necessary to disable all of the hair follicles in a given area.

What happens after treatment?

Immediately following your laser hair removal treatment at our Birmingham, Alabama cosmetic center, the area may appear a bit red and swollen. You may experience what seems to be regrowth of hair 3 to 7 days after treatment. Actually, most of these hairs are being shed as a result of your treatment and are not regrowing. Between treatments you should not wax or pluck your hair, but it is permissible to shave.

What are the possible side effects?

Although patients experience few side effects, the most commonly noticed are slight reddening and local swelling of the skin, similar to a sunburn. These effects typically last for several hours or less. In rare instances, blistering may occur.

How does laser hair removal compare with electrolysis?

Electrolysis is a tedious, invasive and painful process that involves inserting a needle into each individual hair follicle and delivering an electrical charge to them one at a time. Electrolysis often requires years of treatments at regular intervals. By delivering light energy to hundreds of hair follicles at a time, laser hair removal effectively treats an area in just seconds that would take over an hour with electrolysis.