Laser Hair Reduction – Not Removal!
Posted June 21, 2022 in MedSpa Treatments
What Is Laser Hair Reduction?
Laser Hair Reduction – often referred to as Laser Hair Removal, or LHR, is a cosmetic treatment which aims to reduce the growth of hair in a specified area. Laser Hair Reduction uses a process called selective photothermolysis to target and damage the hair follicle. Heat from a laser will target cells that have a significant amount of pigment (called melanin) within the hair – when the hair is met with the laser, it absorbs the heat and transfers it to the follicle, which is then damaged and inhibits growth. This damage leaves the hair follicle in a state of dormancy for a long period of time (longer than shaving or waxing), and although the hair will eventually grow back, it will be lighter, thinner and fewer in numbers.
For the treatment to work, hair must be in its anagen stage (growth stage). As hair is constantly in different stages of growth, multiple treatments are often needed to ensure the hair is targeted at this specific stage.
Anyone with dark body hair can be treated with LHR – however, since the laser targets pigment, it does not work on white or blonde hair, and red hair is harder to treat.
Why Is It Called Reduction, Not Removal?
LHR is not permanent – humans continually produce a hormone (called androgen) that stimulates hair growth. Estrogen and testosterone both aid in the production of this hormone. Because of this, LHR can significantly reduce the amount of unwanted hair in an area but cannot get rid of all hair completely.
Effective Laser Hair Reduction requires 6 to 8 treatments, 6 to 8 weeks apart, to ensure treatment of the follicle in the anagen stage. Some hair growth will still occur after treatment, but hair will likely be thinner and lighter than before. Since this means there is no complete removal of hair, we refer to the process as Laser Hair Reduction instead!
What Treatments Do We Offer at Our MedSpa?
We can treat all different skin tones at our MedSpa due to the use of two different wavelengths, specifically designed to target the melanin in hair follicles – by using both the 755 Alexandrite Laser and the 1064 Yag Laser (which is used specifically for darker skin tones), we are able to target dark hair on all ranges of melanated skin. We also offer treatment on multiple areas of the body, including underarms, face/chin, and the bikini area.
Our estheticians recommend beginning Laser Hair Reduction treatments during the cooler months of the year – in order to prevent adverse side effects, you will need to avoid sun exposure to the area for two to three weeks before your treatment, and for two weeks afterwards. It is also important that you are not on any antibiotics or medications that increase sun and light sensitivity – as these will also increase your chance of negative effects.
We provide Laser Hair Reduction to many of our patients here at Wake Plastic Surgery, and we hope to add you to this list! For more information regarding Laser Hair Reduction, visit our webpage here, send us an inquiry, or give our office a call.
