Unwanted facial and body hair can take plenty of time, effort, and expense to keep under control. Whether you use a depilatory, wax, or shave to keep hair at bay, the process is ongoing and may never provide you with desired results. Razors and wax can lead to skin damage and ingrown hairs, while the potent chemicals in depilatories can lead to skin irritation for some users. Laser devices offer long-lasting results to reduce unwanted hair, allowing you to enjoy silky-smooth skin year-round without the constant maintenance routine.
At LaserMD, LLC, we are committed to helping you meet your aesthetic goals without surgical procedures. We provide the treatments you need to keep your skin and body in top form. Dr. Kathy Upton and her staff will take the time to get to know you and your concerns so she can tailor your treatment plan to your needs and desired outcome.
Are you tired of waxing and shaving and ready for real results? LaserMD, LLC, uses the latest laser technology to reduce unwanted hair effectively. We treat the following areas:
Our lasers are targeted to work with your skin and hair color, allowing us to treat a broader range of patients than past devices permitted.
There are different factors we consider when determining whether you are a good candidate for laser hair removal, including:
Lasers are designed to remove hair based on targeting its pigment or color. Thus blonde, white, or gray hair cannot be treated since these shades do not have enough pigment for the laser to target. Light brown hair tones may require more treatments than darker shades to achieve full results.
Thick, dark hairs have more pigment available for the laser light to strike, so they tend to require fewer treatments. Soft hair, such as that found on the upper lip, will be more difficult to treat compared to the hairs in the chin or bikini area.
The darker the skin, whether tanned or naturally pigmented, the more difficult to treat the hair without targeting the pigment in the dermis. Special lasers can effectively differentiate between the skin and the hair, and highly-trained personnel know how to adjust the device settings accordingly. Ultimately, the darker the surface, the more treatments may be required to remove the hair safely. LaserMD, LLC, uses the most advanced laser technology to differentiate skin tones and maximize the efficiency and safety of the device.
We will assess you at your initial consultation to determine whether laser hair removal will provide you with a satisfactory outcome. We will also be able to estimate the number of treatments you will need to achieve your desired results.
There are a few steps you can take before your laser hair removal treatment to ensure the best possible outcome:
It is best to shave 1-2 days before treatment to prepare the area for a laser. However, we recommend you avoid plucking, waxing, or using depilatories for at least two weeks before your procedure.
We advise our patients to avoid significant sun exposure for at least two weeks before their laser hair removal treatment. Base tans may make your treatments more uncomfortable, may increase your odds of unwanted side effects, and may increase the number of treatment sessions needed. Self-tanners should also be COMPLETELY avoided during the laser hair removal process. So, please ask Dr. Upton all of your individual questions regarding treating over tanned, or self-tanned skin at your consultation.
Waxing, depilatory creams and tweezing are all temporary methods that must be repeated on a regular basis to maintain results. If they are performed before your laser hair removal session, their use will significantly diminish the effectiveness of your treatments. If there is no hair at the time of your treatment because of waxing or tweezing, the laser does not have a target. We recommend no waxing or tweezing for two weeks before your appointment.
Laser hair removal treatment is relatively comfortable, although we can offer topical numbing cream to be applied before treating sensitive areas like the upper lip. A handheld applicator is placed on the skin to deliver the laser energy into the follicle. The laser energy damages the follicle to encourage current hair to shed and prevent future hair from growing in many cases. The length of the session will vary based on the size of the treatment area. Smaller areas like the face may take just a few minutes to complete, while larger areas like the legs or back may take up to an hour or longer.
Patients typically resume their daily schedule as soon as they leave our office. The treated area may be slightly red, swollen, and tender, but these side effects are usually short-lived. It is crucial that you avoid direct sun exposure after treatment since the skin is more susceptible to damage from UV rays during this time. It’s also wise to avoid hot baths, hot tubs, and saunas for a day or two afterward.
A laser can only treat hair in the active growing stage. Each area of our body has different hair growth cycles, but they all follow the same basic pattern; growth, transition and shedding phases. To ensure all the hair in the treatment area is addressed, patients are advised to plan for a series of 6-8 treatments spaced four to six weeks apart, depending on hair location, texture and color. When the treatment protocol is appropriately followed, patients typically experience long-lasting results to reduce unwanted hair once the set of sessions are completed.
Laser hair reduction is an effective way to enjoy smoother, hair-free skin without the need for constant maintenance. To learn more about this procedure, contact LaserMD, LLC, today at 425-672-1064.
