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 depends on your unique genes. 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. Lasers respond best to dark hair, so electrolysis is still needed for light, red or gray hairs. By doing electrolysis on white hair first and then following with a laser, the white hair will be more effectively removed. Usually, white hair 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.
At Gold Skin Care Center, 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 as the skin is fragile and there is a risk of a burn. We are able to treat all skin types, including dark skin, such as skin types V-VI. We have the Nd:YAG laser, which protects the color in the skin, but targets dark hair. In addition, 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 tubs, saunas, or hot baths should be avoided after having laser treatment on certain areas. Most people can have laser hair removal treatment and go back to work or most daily activities.
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 do not all regrow at the same time as 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, as so many people are bothered with ingrown hairs on the bikini area. Body hair is not as “hormonal,” so most people don’t grow new hair on bikini, legs, underarms, and a few other body areas. Faces on the other hand, are 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 finely 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.
For more information on how you can undergo hair removal in the precise ways that you need, contact the dermatology team at Gold Skin Care Center today by contacting us online or calling (615) 645-2314.
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