When the warmer months arrive, many people often find themselves constantly shaving various areas of their bodies, especially the legs, bikini line, underarms, and more. After a day or two, the stubble returns necessitating another long session with the razor. Why not forget the blades and consider laser hair removal?
What is Laser Hair Removal?
Laser hair removal involves directing tiny beams of heat directed at the skin to detect pigment in hair follicles. The laser penetrates at a low level and breaks down melanin in hair follicles just below the skin. Heated follicles become dormant or are permanently destroyed, unlike shaving, waxing, or tweezing, which only treat hairs above the skin.
What is the XEO Cutera Laser?
The XEO Cutera laser is a customized device that uses powerful yet gentle light to address a wide range of aesthetic concerns. This laser is suitable for all skin types and hair colors. It’s one of the most advanced hair removal lasers on the market as it uses two different wavelengths for safe and effective hair removal.
How Does the Cutera Laser Work?
During a hair removal treatment, the pigment in the targeted hairs converts the light energy to heat. This process damages the tube-shaped sacs within the hair follicles, inhibiting or delaying future hair growth.
You may need several laser treatments to achieve your desired look as hair follicles are always in different stages of growth. By spacing your initial sessions, you’ll enjoy better results as most hair follicles will absorb the laser energy at the appropriate phase of their growth cycle.
What Areas Does Laser Hair Removal Treat?
You can get laser hair removal on almost any area of your body. Laser hair removal is most popular for the legs, arms, back, abdomen, chest, and bikini line. All the areas you likely don’t want to shave in the summer months.
Patients can also get laser treatments to remove hair from the upper lip, on the chin, or jawline.
Preparing for Laser Hair Removal
To prepare for laser hair removal, there are a few things you’ll want to do beforehand. First, the treated area needs to be shaved 1-2 days before your appointment. You’ll also want to avoid too much sun exposure or tanning.
Additionally, avoid tweezing or waxing. Laser hair removal works best when there is hair still in the follicle and waxing and tweezing remove the hair from the follicle. Wait about four weeks after your last waxing appointment before receiving laser hair removal.
What Can I Expect During My Laser Hair Removal Appointment?
Your laser hair removal treatment begins with a consultation that describes the process and possible results. Laser hair removal works best on patients with light skin and dark hair because the laser can better target melanin in the follicles. That being said, all skin types can benefit.
During treatment, some patients feel a snapping sensation similar to a rubber band as the light pulses, but it is usually considered minimally painful.
Post-Treatment Results
Unlike shaving or waxing, patients experience very little skin irritation after a laser hair removal treatment. Shaving often results in ingrown hairs, skin irritation in the form of bumps, and less than satisfying results as some hairs below the skin may still be visible. Waxing is painful and can lead to skin sensitivities.
Laser hair removal is semi-permanent, so you will need occasional touch-up sessions to minimize hair growth.
Schedule a Consultation
To learn more about how to skip shaving this summer and laser hair removal, schedule a consultation at MedsSkin Essentials today. Our team can answer any questions or concerns you may have and talk you through the process.
To schedule a consultation today, call our Riverside or Tustin, CA offices at (949) 201-2464 or use our online booking tool.