"Thank you for my laser hair removal treatment. I'm loving not having to shave. Beautiful spot, great staff."
– A Recent Patient –
Laser Hair Removal
Laser Hair Removal Specials for College Students
If you’re in college, we understand you are on a budget! We offer laser hair removal specials and discounts for all college students with the proof of a student ID. Call us at: 615-622-4544 for discount prices, or simply contact us here and tell us what areas you want treated and we’ll give you pricing.
Laser Hair Removal Specials for Vanderbilt Students
Belcourt Aesthetics is located just down the street from Vanderbilt University on Belcourt Avenue. With such convenient proximity for walking and biking–as well as great pricing and probably the most experienced in laser hair removal–how could you go wrong? We are just a four minute walk (.2 miles), and a three minute bike ride away.
Laser Hair Removal Specials for Belmont Students
We are also within walking and biking distance of Belmont University (only .5 miles).
We also cater to more than students. Professionals from all over the Nashville area come to Belcourt Aesthetics for these most popular laser hair removal services, in this order:
- Bikini
- Legs
- Upper Lip
- Face
- Back
- Full Body
- Ears
- Neck
- Chest
- Abs
All About Laser Hair Removal in Nashville, TN
Laser hair
The process has been FDA-approved for more than 20 years and has minimal side effects. Laser hair removal works with hair pigment to stop growth. In the past, the success of the procedure had depended on each individual’s hair and skin pigmentation. Now, as medical technology has advanced, almost anyone can benefit from this widely-used and highly regarded procedure.
Why Choose Laser Hair Removal?
Many people come to laser hair removal after a long history of waxing, shaving, plucking or using depilatory creams. Shaving requires daily maintenance. It can also irritate the skin or cause cuts and ingrown hairs. Creams often have a strong chemical odor and also have short-term results. Plucking around the lip and chin may be painful and require constant monitoring of the area for new growth.
Waxing may last for several weeks. However, one must let the hair grow long enough before subsequent treatment. In other words, even with waxing, you have to spend at least some of the time with noticeable hair growth. In addition, all of these methods may be messy when performed at home, adding a great burden to one’s beauty routine.
Laser hair removal is a solution to these issues. After the initial treatments, results can last for years. It is performed by a licensed professional and there is usually minimal discomfort. There is also no offensive odor after the procedure. Most people who choose laser hair removal are happy with the results, and it helps them look and feel their best. It removes the need for a regular time-consuming task.
How Laser Hair Removal Works
This method works at the site of the hair follicle to prevent future hair growth. An intense beam of light, the laser, is directed at the follicle. The light is absorbed by the hair pigment and converted into heat. This damages the follicle so hair no longer grows. At the same time, the tissue around the follicle stays healthy and intact.
This technique has been widely used by dermatologists for many years. It is considered to be safe and effective. As it has grown in popularity, the technique has been honed and perfected. More than ever before, people of all genders and skin types can get strong results.
Who is a Candidate?
Almost anyone who wants to remove unwanted hair can benefit from laser hair removal. Like any medical procedure, your candidacy will depend on your medical history and your goals. Consult with a trusted medical professional to see if procedure is right for you. Dermatologists use laser hair removal on many areas of the body. It can remove just a few hairs in a few small areas, or many hairs across a larger part of the skin. They treat the upper lip, chin, underarms, neck, bikini areas, back, chest, shoulders, legs, and indeed any area that is medically safe.
Who Can Expect the Best Results?
During laser hair removal, the laser targets the melanin in the follicle. The melanin is what gives hair and skin its dark shade. Traditionally, those with dark hairs and light skin have had the best success with the procedure. It was also considered safest to do in these individuals.
Now, trained professionals can successfully perform hair removal in those with dark skin, as well as on those with light hair. According to the American Academy of Dermatology, this a relatively new advancement. It must be performed with great care in order to ensure patient safety and optimal results.
What to Expect?
Depending on the area you would like to be treated, your session may last several minutes or upwards of an hour. You will be given eyewear for your protection. Those performing the hair removal will wear similar protection. In most clinics, the session will happen in a room that is reserved just for laser hair removal.
Your skin will be cleaned before the process starts. Depending on the length of the existing hair, you may have to shave. Often, your doctor will advise you about what preparatory steps you must take before the session. In addition to these specific instructions, try to remain mindful of how you are feeling. If you are experiencing dry skin, irritation, or a potential allergic reaction before the appointment, you should inform the medical team.
Once the preparation is over, hair removal begins. The doctor will aim the laser at a single small area at a time. The skin is held flat and taut to ensure precision. You may notice a burning or sulfur smell as the laser does its work. You may also see puffs of smoke as the hair is removed; do not let that sight alarm you, as it is a normal part of the procedure.
The process may feel uncomfortable. The sensation of the laser in the follicle is like pinpricks or snapping of a rubber band against the skin. You may receive a numbing gel before the session starts in order to minimize discomfort.
How to Prepare for the Procedure
Your preparation should start with a conversation with your dermatologist. The person who performs this procedure must have experience with laser hair removal. Although many people have successful sessions, it does come with risk. You must be comfortable with the team who you trust to take care of your skin during and after the treatment.
Those team members will also ask a little bit about your medical history. This will include your past experience with hair removal, medication use, and any history of skin conditions. This is to help the team to confirm that you are a strong candidate for the procedure.
It is also to give them the information they need to prepare for a safe and effective treatment. If you are on a blood-thinning medication, they can discuss how this may or may not affect your upcoming treatment and what you can do to avoid risk. You may be asked to not take any anti-inflammatory medications or aspirin before receiving the laser hair removal treatment.
In addition, there are many steps to take to protect your health and improve the results. For about six weeks before you get laser hair removal, avoid sun exposure. This type of exposure changes your skin pigment. It can result in less successful treatment.
Also, you should avoid stress on your roots before your first session. It is recommended that you do not wax or pluck your hairs during that six-week window. You should, however, shave the area the day before your session to remove hair above the skin surface.
How to Take Care of Your Skin After
After each session, you should avoid the sun and any indoor tanning equipment. Your doctor will also give you some aftercare instructions, which may include using a cold compress to reduce redness or swelling. You can rest assured that most discomfort you feel right after the laser session is probably normal. However, if you have any concerns, you should contact your doctor’s office immediately.
It is a good idea to avoid strong beauty products before and after the procedure. If the site of the removal is your face, you may want to avoid scrubs or retinol creams that work actively in the skin. Your doctor may advise you to avoid any warm areas like gyms or saunas for about a day after the treatment, since these may aggravate sensitive areas of the skin, like the face. Although you should take care of your skin in the hours after laser hair removal, you can otherwise return to your normal activities.
Number of Required Treatments
Most people see the results after the first laser hair removal treatment. This can be a 10 to 25 percent reduction. Typically, however, one session is not enough for the lifetime results that most patients seek. In consultation with your medical team, you can come up with a safe and convenient schedule of subsequent treatments.
For long-term results, doctors usually recommend 2 to 6 sessions. These are spaced about 4 to 6 weeks apart in order to give your skin time to adjust and heal. In the weeks between sessions, your team will advise you to take the same steps as you did before the first session: avoiding sunlight and refraining from waxing or plucking.
After these treatments are complete, hair may not return for months or years. If it does come back, it is less coarse than it was before the procedure. At that time, if you choose, your doctor may offer follow up sessions to remove the excess hair.
Side Effects
The most common side effects are redness and swelling. These often occur right after the procedure and should subside within a few hours. Your doctor can give you more insight into how you can reduce any discomfort that you may feel.
Most people do not have serious side effects. However, some may experience blisters or scarring. In order to avoid these serious side effects, have an in-depth conversation with your doctor before the procedure. That way, you can both prepare as thoroughly as possible.
Occasionally, there may be pigment changes in the skin at the site of the removal. Skin lightening is most common in those who have darker skin or spend time in the sun before the session. These color differences usually go away with time.
The chances of the side effects occurring are lower if you trust a dermatologist or licensed professional to perform the procedure. Your own health is also protected if you follow your doctor’s recommendations for pre- and post-treatment care of your skin.
How Much Is Laser Hair Removal Near Vanderbilt in Nashville?
The cost of laser hair removal is not covered by most insurance plans. You can discuss payment options with your doctor or service provider. Many patients like to look at this option relative to other elements of their beauty routine. The upfront cost of laser hair removal may be weighed against a lifetime of waxes, creams, and razors, as well as the time and frustration that those methods entail. Your doctor can help you find a solution that’s right for you, in conjunction with other wellness services you currently use or seek to learn more about.
How Can I Learn More?
With any medical procedure, it is always smart to start with a conversation. The team at Belcout Aesthetics is here to answer your questions.
Deborah Parker is a trainer and a laser hair removal specialist. In all of her work, she believes in looking at each patient as a whole — not a collection of disparate symptoms. To learn more how laser hair removal can contribute to your wellness journey, contact us today.
