Most people would agree that removing face and body hair is a frustrating chore. Fortunately, you can put an end to waxing, shaving, or threading with laser hair removal. Hair removed with this treatment stays gone, letting you enjoy hair-free skin and spend your valuable time doing more interesting things than getting rid of hair.
What is Laser Hair Removal?
The hair on your face and body grows from hair follicles deep in your skin. While most hair removal methods either pull the hair out of the follicle or cut it off at the skin’s surface, laser hair removal treats the follicle itself. It uses wavelengths that target the pigments inside your hair roots, producing heat that damages the follicle itself. As a result, treated follicles stop growing new hairs.
Does Laser Hair Removal Work on All Skin Types?
Older, less sophisticated methods of laser hair removal had difficulty treating darker skin tones and very pale hair colors. At Capital Laser & Skin Care, we offer several laser systems that let us treat nearly all skin and hair types and tones, and our experience lets us provide safe, effective treatment.
While laser hair removal is more effective on those with darker hair and lighter skin, we can treat those with darker skin tones and blonde, red, or even gray hair. Different hair and skin tones may require a different number of treatments. Only a consultation can determine if your hair and skin type are appropriate for this procedure.
How Many Laser Hair Removal Treatments Will I Need?
The number of laser hair removal treatments varies widely depending on several factors. You can expect at least three to five sessions to see your desired results, but you may need more. Hair follicles go through cycles of activity and rest, and resting follicles do not contain a hair root, so they do not respond to the laser. During the course of treatment, more follicles become active and can be treated.
Is There Any Downtime After Laser Hair Removal?
You can leave your hair removal session and return to work or other activities immediately. There is no downtime, although your skin may look red and feel sensitive for a few hours after treatment. Because laser treatments make your skin sensitive to the sun, wearing sunscreen and avoiding exposure after each session is extremely important.
How Long Does Laser Hair Removal Last?
Laser hair removal treatment provides long-lasting results that will change your hair removal routine forever. You may see the occasional hair reappear, but these are finer and paler than previous hairs. We recommend yearly maintenance sessions to address these stray hairs as they appear and stay hair-free.
Take the First Step
Interested in learning more about laser hair removal? We would love to speak with you. Please fill out the form on this page to request a consultation or call our Chevy Chase, MD office today at (301) 798-9699 to schedule your private consultation at our laser and cosmetic dermatology center, located just blocks away from Washington, D.C.
