Winter is the perfect time to start thinking about laser hair removal. While you may not be thinking about smooth, hair-free skin during the colder months, starting your treatments now ensures you’ll be ready for a beautiful, worry-free summer.
How Laser Hair Removal Works
The key to laser hair removal is melanin, the pigment found in our hair, skin, and eyes. During the procedure, a concentrated beam of light (the laser) is directed at the unwanted hair. This light is absorbed by the melanin in the hair shaft and converted to heat. This heat travels down the hair, effectively damaging the follicle that produces it.
This process works best on light skin with dark hair because the high contrast allows the laser to target the hair follicle with precision, without affecting the surrounding skin. This is why getting treatments when your skin isn’t tanned is so important, making the winter months ideal.
Is Laser Hair Removal Permanent?
Laser hair removal can either permanently reduce hair density or permanently remove unwanted hair. This depends on several factors:
- Hair Color and Thickness: The laser works best on darker, thicker hair.
- Skin Color: Lighter skin with dark hair provides the best contrast for the laser.
- Laser Quality: The type and quality of the laser machine used.
- Operator Competence: The skill of the person performing the treatment.
For individuals with gray, blond, or red hair, which lacks the necessary melanin, currently available lasers are not effective.
How Many Treatments Will I Need?
The number of sessions you’ll need depends on your skin type and your hair’s growth cycle. Since hair goes through three phases—anagen (active growth), catagen (shedding), and telogen (dormant)—we can only target hair in the active, anagen phase.
On average, only about 20% of your hair is in the anagen phase at any given time. This is why multiple treatments are necessary to target all the hair in a specific area.
- Dark Hair, Pale Skin: You can typically achieve permanent hair removal with 4-6 treatments, spaced 4-6 weeks apart.
- Fair Hair, Pale Skin: Results may be a permanent hair reduction, with an initial course of 6-12 treatments a month apart.
How to Prepare for Your Appointment
Proper preparation ensures your treatment is safe and effective.
- Shave, Don’t Pluck: You must have hair in the follicle for the laser to work, so avoid plucking or waxing for several weeks before your appointment. Shaving is perfectly fine, and you can even do it minutes before your visit.
- Avoid Sun Exposure: Do not come in with a sunburn or tan. The contrast between light skin and dark hair is crucial for the treatment’s effectiveness.
- Discuss Medications: Be sure to inform your provider about any medications you are taking, especially blood thinners, as well as your full medical history.
Ready to get started? The winter is the ideal time to begin your journey to smooth, hair-free skin.
- Schedule a free consultation to discuss your goals and create a personalized treatment plan.
- Learn more about our laser technology and how we ensure a comfortable and effective experience.
- Contact us today to book your first appointment at our Linwood, NJ office!
