Laser treatment for unwanted hair is a non-invasive approach to permanent reduction and long-term hair removal. Hair growth is genetic, so where you grow hair and how much you grow is genetic. Hair growth is also influenced by hormonal changes, pregnancy, menopause, or just getting older. The only long term method of hair removal is electrolysis or laser. The laser responds best to dark hair, so electrolysis is still needed for light, red or gray hairs. By doing electrolysis on the white hair first and then following with the laser, the white hair will go away. The white hair usually appears as a person tries to remove the hair by temporary methods over a period of time. Tweezing, waxing, and depilatory will change the texture of the hair.
We have a number of laser hair removal machines to meet the needs of most everyone. We do not do laser hair removal on tanned skin. Your skin is fragile and there is a risk of a burn. We are able to treat all skin types. We can treat dark skin, such as skin types V-VI. We have the Nd-Yag laser which protects the color in the skin, but targets the dark hair. The laser hair removal works well for pseudofolliculitis barbae.
While having laser hair removal treatments, we do suggest that you avoid the sun (tanning) and always wear sun screen. Hot tub, sauna, or hot baths should be avoided after having laser on certain areas. Most people can have laser hair removal treatment and go back to work or most daily activities.
How Many Laser Hair Removal Treatments are Necessary?
We are always asked, “How many treatments will I need?” Every person is different and we are treating the hair in the active growing stage. So more than one treatment is required. We are treating growth cycles. For example, if you tweeze five hairs, they all do not regrow at the same time. They may be in different stages of growth. Some medications and certain medical conditions can contribute to unwanted hair growth. Polycystic ovarian syndrome and adrenal hyperplasia may cause unwanted hair growth. These conditions are treatable, but a person might grow hair more than others. Laser hair removal treatments two or three times a year can maintain the hair growth.
The most popular areas we treat are the face and bikini area. So many people are bothered with ingrowth hairs on the bikini area. Body hair is not as “hormonal” so most people don’t grow new hair on bikini, legs, underarm, and a few other body areas. Faces on the other hand, area influenced by hormonal changes. So as you grow older, you may notice some new hair growth.
The upper lip and chin are the most hormonal area on the face, but the “new” hair growth is not the same hair that was removed before, new follicles are stimulated for one reason or another, and you grow new hair. The new hair growth is usually very fine scattered. In some cases, once you have the laser hair removal treatments, you may never grow any new hair. We recommend maintenance treatments as needed. Don’t start your temporary methods again.
Photo Gallery
See before and after photos of laser hair removal in our photo gallery. If you are interested in this procedure or simply want to learn more about Gold Skin Care Center, please contact our Nashville dermatology office today!
Next, read about Lichen Planus.
