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Did you know that in 2019, 457,000 laser hair removal procedures like intense pulsed light (IPL) therapy were performed in the United States alone? Laser hair removal is continuing to grow in popularity and is a safe and effective way to remove unwanted hair.
When considering whether or not to receive a laser hair removal treatment like IPL, it is essential to learn more about how this treatment works in order to know what to expect. Understanding more about the process can also help you to feel more at ease during your appointment.
Discover everything you need to know about laser hair removal and intense pulsed light (IPL) therapy.
Laser hair removal is a common procedure that removes unwanted body hair. The laser hair removal process is noninvasive and does not require incisions or anesthesia. Laser treatment is effective on any part of the body, but most people use it for facial hair removal and other places like:
It is highly recommended to get laser treatments at an experienced facility like EVEXIAS Medical Centers, which offer multiple laser therapy treatment options and uses quality lasers from LUMENIS®. LUMENIS® lasers have many cutting edge innovations, like cooling technology, making them one of the best options for laser treatments.
Intense pulse light (IPL) lasers are the best types of lasers for hair removal and can also treat other skin issues like redness and age spots.
It is also a good idea to choose a clinic that offers other services like functional medicine, regenerative medicine, and other aesthetic services. This ensure that any procedure will be administered by experienced staff that have extensive knowledge of all available procedures and therapies.
Laser hair removal utilizes a process known as selective photothermolysis. During this process, laser heat destroys cells containing a lot of color or pigment. Dark hair contains the most pigment, so it absorbs more heat.
The heat is transferred to the hair follicles and ultimately destroys them. As a result, hair can no longer grow.
Hair follicles have four different growth stages, which include:
Follicles are in different stages of growth at different times. As a result, most people typically need to have multiple laser treatments to get the results they are looking for.
While lasers for laser hair removal treatments and IPL lasers both use light to heat and destroy hair follicles to prevent regrowth, there are some key differences to be aware of.
A laser proceeds a specific type of light that consists of one wavelength or color that goes in one direction. This creates a single beam of light, much like laser pointer. On the other hand, an IPL laser produces a wide range of different wavelengths. These wavelengths create a single flash that’s close to natural light.
With an IPL laser, the light enters the hair follicle and heats it to a high temperature that interrupts the hair growth cycle.
Due to the multiple wavelengths an IPL laser delivers, it has the ability to treat larger areas of skin a shorter time frame than laser therapy.
Intense pulsed light (IPL) involves using a handheld device that heats and breaks down skin cells. Your body will naturally remove the damaged tissue and hair follicles over time.
IPL is an effective hair removal procedure, but it can also treat a wide range of skin issues, such as:
There are various benefits of getting IPL treatments for hair removal and other skin conditions. These benefits include:
Waxing involves applying warm wax to the skin and a fabric strip. The strip is quickly pulled off in the opposite direction of the hair growth. Waxing leaves the follicle intact, which can lead to hair regrowth in as few as 3 to 6 weeks.
However, laser treatments use heat to destroy the hair follicle and prevent hair from growing back. While laser therapy requires multiple treatments, the results from laser hair removal can last years and usually only necessitates minimal touch-ups.
Most anyone who has excess body hair can have laser hair removal treatments. Women with certain conditions like hirsutism, which causes dark coarse hair to grow in different areas, often use laser hair removal as a solution.
In addition, people with conditions like polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and hormone imbalances also find laser hair removal helpful.
Laser hair removal is most effective for people with dark, thick hair and light skin. This is because the contrast between hair color and skin color makes it easier for the hair to absorb heat.
Talk to your doctor before receiving laser hair removal treatments in you have conditions like:
Before receiving laser hair removal, you need to avoid the sun or use SPF 30 or higher to protect your skin. You should also avoid self-tanning products.
It is also best to shave the night before treatment so your hair is shorter, making it easier for the laser heat to get to the follicles. Be sure to avoid waxing or tweezing for a month before your treatment since this removes hair from the follicle.
Finally, you would need to avoid using perfumes, lotions, and other skin products on the day of the procedure.
If you are looking for an experienced and reputable clinic for laser hair removal treatments, you can turn to EVEXIAS Medical Centers for all of your integrative healthcare needs.
EVEXIAS Medical Centers offer IPL laser hair removal, Botox, dermal treatments, KYBELLA, PRP-infused facelifts, skin rejuvenation, hormone pellet therapy, regenerative therapies, functional medicine, and more.
