Want to stop spending so much time worrying about your body hair? Then you may want to consider a treatment like laser hair removal at Dr. Park Avenue in Franklin Lakes, NJ. Laser treatments for hair removal can reduce the amount of hair you grow or even permanently stunt hair growth with enough treatments. These treatments are a good option if you want to spend less time shaving, waxing, and tweezing.
How Can You Maximize Your Results From Laser Hair Removal?
For the most part, you will be able to see early results from your laser hair removal treatments within about two to three weeks after your appointment. However, many people may want to speed their results along so they can be hair-free more quickly. Luckily, there are many things you can do to maximize your results, including:
Keep Your Appointments
First and foremost, the fastest way to get the results you want is to keep your appointments. This treatment is most effective when you attend several appointments spaced one month apart. Because hair grows in cycles, you will need to be sure each hair follicle is treated each month to adequately stunt hair growth. If you miss an appointment, then you’re basically taking yourself back to square one.
To keep your appointments, one of the best things you can do is ensure your skin is in good condition. Depending on where you are having treatment, it will be important to keep your skin clear of viral infections, bacterial infections, and autoimmune responses like eczema and psoriasis. If your skin isn’t in good condition on your appointment day, you may not be able to have your scheduled treatment.
No Tweezing, Waxing, or Creams
It’s essential to avoid any hair-removal methods that can pull hair from the root or cause skin irritation. Laser treatments for hair removal need to have a hair shaft attached to a hair follicle to be effective. Both waxing and tweezing removes hair from the root, which makes it impossible for the laser system to work effectively.
Furthermore, waxing and tweezing can also cause skin irritation and skin infections that can delay your treatment. And if you think a good alternative to these methods is to use a depilatory cream, then you may want to think again. These hair removal creams can be very harsh on the skin, so it’s best to discontinue use so you don’t need to delay your next appointment.
Trim Your Hair
While waxing, tweezing, and using hair removal creams are off the table while you are having hair removal treatments, you will still be able to shave. In fact, shaving between your appointments is encouraged. The results of your treatment will not be immediate, so you will still have some hair growth for several weeks. Until your hair stops growing, you will be allowed to shave as usual – you can even shave one or two days before your appointment.
Some patients are surprised to learn that shaving is still okay when they are having laser hair removal treatments. But shaving only removes visible hair and leaves the hair shaft attached to the follicle intact, so it’s fine to continue shaving until you no longer have to so you can be hair-free between your appointments. That said, your treatment will work best when you have short hair or stubble, so be sure to avoid shaving on the same day as your appointment.
Avoid Sunlight
It’s also very important for you to avoid contact with sunlight unless you are wearing a strong SPF to protect your skin. Laser treatments won’t harm your skin, but they may prime your skin to trigger melanin production when exposed to sunlight, so to avoid pigmentation concerns it’s best to stay out of the sun. Avoiding sunlight also means you will avoid risks like sunburns. You should also avoid tanning beds and self-tanning products until your treatments are complete.
Consider Exfoliation
Finally, one last thing you can do to speed up your results is to consider exfoliating between your treatments. Laser treatments sometimes encourage cellular turnover, which can be great for the appearance of your skin, but your skin may also feel more dry than normal. By exfoliating your skin, you are removing dead skin cells and helping ready-to-shed hairs fall off more quickly between your appointments.
The best way to exfoliate your treatment areas is with a slightly rough washcloth, such as one made from nylon, or a textured sponge in the shower. Manual exfoliation increases blood circulation and is also gentle enough on your skin to avoid irritation. You should not exfoliate with sugar scrubs, coffee scrubs, or chemical exfoliants.
How Many Treatments Will You Need?
Depending on the density of your hair and how many areas you are treating, most people will need about six to eight treatments to effectively remove or reduce hair growth. Many people who have dense hair growth will require more treatments simply because there is more hair to treat; likewise, treating multiple areas of the face and body will likely mean you will need more appointments.
Your treatments will usually be spaced apart by four to six weeks to allow the hair to progress through its natural cycle. Most hair follicles produce hair every two to four weeks, so by having monthly appointments, you will be able to address each follicle to reduce hair growth.
How Soon Will You Get Results?
You will likely start to see early results as soon as two to three weeks after your treatment. But during your early treatment phases, the hair that falls out after two weeks will usually be replaced by thinner, less dense, or finer hair growth in the next several weeks. Each hair follicle requires multiple treatments to be effective, so you will likely not see optimal results until at least four to six months after your first treatment.
How Long Will Results Last?
The results of this treatment can last for at least 12 months or sometimes longer depending on how many treatments you had, the goal of your treatment, and how quickly your hair follicles recover. If you only want to reduce the density of your hair growth, then you will have likely had fewer treatments and this means your results may not last as long. We can give you a better estimate of how long your results will last during your consultation.
How Frequently Should You Have Treatments?
To maintain your results, it’s best to schedule an annual appointment at least once a year to zap any new hair growth. If you maintain these treatments, then you will likely enjoy long-term reduced hair growth.
What Are the Benefits of This Treatment?
Laser hair removal is a very beneficial treatment that can reduce or eliminate unwanted hair growth in virtually every area of the body. On top of being a well-tolerated treatment, the results of this treatment are also known to last for several months or even permanently. So, what are some other benefits of this treatment?
Improve Skin
Laser treatments have been used for several years to address skin concerns such as skin laxity and hyperpigmentation. One of the byproduct benefits of this treatment is the ability to improve the tone and texture of your skin. After laser treatments, you will notice that your skin is more evenly-toned, softer, and tighter in areas that have been treated.
Safe for All
Virtually all skin tones and skin types can use this treatment to reduce hair growth. Even those who have very sensitive skin or medium to dark complexions can use laser treatments for hair removal. And if you have naturally light-colored hair, such as blond, red, or gray hair, then you should also be able to use this treatment; however, you may require additional appointments to achieve optimal results.
Schedule Your Consultation
Most people are good candidates for laser hair removal. Regardless of your age, gender, skin tone, and the natural tone of your hair, this treatment can help you reduce or eliminate unwanted hair growth. As long as your skin is healthy, you are not pregnant, and you do not have any medical restrictions, this treatment can help you reduce hair growth on the face and the body.
There are a few ways you can maximize the results of your treatment, such as following your aftercare rules, exfoliating at home, and avoiding sunlight. If you think this treatment is right for your needs, please contact Dr. Park Avenue in Franklin Lakes, NJ to schedule your appointment today.
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