What Is Laser Hair Removal?
We all hear about it, laser hair removal that is, but what exactly happens when you undergo laser hair removal treatments?
Imagine having hair-free skin without ever touching a razor or enduring the pain of getting your hair waxed? Laser hair removal is an amazing alternative to time-consuming or painful hair removal methods like shaving, waxing, and hair removal creams.
As the continuing advancement in laser technology continues to grow, so does the popularity of laser hair removal. But, what exactly is laser hair removal? How is the hair destroyed? How long do the results last? All that and more is explained in this article.
The Technology
GentleMax Pro
The GentleMax Pro laser is what we use here at Magic Laser and Aesthetics. This revolutionary laser uses a 755 nm and 1064 nm wavelength laser which allows for targeting various skin tones. Even those with a darker complexion are able to benefit from laser hair removal.
One of the many amazing aspects of the GentleMax Pro laser is that it is not very painful. Some patients describe the feeling as a hot deep massage; if there is any discomfort, a cooling device is used to numb the pain from the laser.
Hair Growth Explained
We also need to understand the stages at which hair growth happens. There are a total of three stages of hair growth:
- Anagen: The growth stage, when a strand of hair is at its strongest and is attached to the blood supply.
- Catagen: The transitional stage, when that strand begins to come loose from the follicle
- Telogen: The shedding stage, when the strand falls out and is replaced by new hair. The best stage at which is begin laser hair removal is the Anagen stage as the hair is at its darkest and most coarse stage.
How Does Laser Hair Removal Destroy Hair?
When the laser targets the hair and the hair follicle, the highly concentrated light destroys the pigment and the bulb of the hair follicle. Unlike shaving, which just removes the surface of the hair, laser hair removal goes deep into the dermis of the skin and destroys the point at which hair growth starts, which is the hair follicle. If you make another comparison to other hair removal methods like waxing, you will know that waxing does not remove the follicle either, it simply pulls the hair from the root. This is why it may take longer for the hair to grow back with waxing as opposed to shaving.
How Long Does Laser Hair Removal Last?
Those who know all about shaving, know that the hair grows back super quick, and sometimes people have to shave every day to achieve smooth hair-free skin. As we mentioned before, laser hair removal with the GentleMax Pro laser destroys the hair follicle which is where the hair grows from. When you destroy the hair follicle, this ensures that hair growth is stunted either for a long period of time or permanently. Although you may need several sessions of laser hair removal to stop hair growth permanently, laser hair removal ensures that even with one session, the results are much more long-lasting than shaving or even waxing.
What To Expect After Laser Hair Removal Treatment?
Following your laser hair removal treatment, you can expect the skin to be slightly sensitive, so you should refrain from exfoliating it after and it is important for you to protect your skin with sunblock if you expect to be out in the sun. Overall, after a treatment, you just go back to your regular activity.
Over time, you will notice that the hair in the hair follicles begins to fall out, and the best results of laser hair removal will be seen 10 – 15 days after treatment. With more and more sessions of laser hair removal, you will notice that 60 – 80% of your hair is gone, and the more treatments you have, the more hair-free you will be!
Are you ready to book your appointment?
If you would like to book your next laser hair removal appointment with Magic Laser and Aesthetics, please click here.
