How Effective Is Laser Hair Removal?

If you decide to proceed with treatment, your doctor will provide you with instructions. The area to be treated is usually shaved first to ensure a faster treatment with less discomfort.

Most patients experience mild pinching of the skin as the laser handpiece moves over the hair. Lutronic lasers have specialized pain management systems, such as the Chilled Compression Tip of the ADVANTAGE that makes the treatments more comfortable. The chilled tip also protects the surface of the skin during the laser treatment.ARE THERE ANY SIDE EFFECTS WITH LASER HAIR REMOVAL?

Side effects are usually mild. The skin may appear red similar to a sunburn, but this subsides within 24 to 48 hours. Other side effects, such as blisters, are extremely rare.

Hair grows in cycles and most patients need at least 3 or more treatments spaced at least 4 to 8 weeks apart for a satisfactory result. At least 10 to 25% reduction in hair growth can be expected with each treatment.

The treatment could take only 4 minutes, or more than an hour, depending on the size of the area. For example, the treatment of an upper lip or chin will be faster than a back.

In 1997 the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved hair removal lasers for permanent hair reduction. This means that hair removal lasers will be effective as long as the right laser and settings are applied and the appropriate number of treatments are administered. However, there is no guarantee that every hair will respond. Some hairs can be resistant to treatment and may return as thin hairs and/or may be lighter in color.

Most people will respond to laser hair removal unless there is pigment absent from the hair, such as light blond or white hair. This is because laser hair removal works when the laser beam targets pigment. Generally, if your skin is light and your hair is dark and coarse, you are the ideal candidate. However, hair removal lasers from Lutronic treat most skin and hair types. If your skin is dark, then the laser settings will be adjusted to protect the skin’s surface. If your hair is light, it may take more treatments because the lighter pigment in your hair will take longer to respond. Your physician is well-versed on how to optimize the treatment settings.