Excess hair under the arms, on the legs, in the bikini area, and even on the back is a problem for many people, both male and female. As a result, they spend hours every week removing the unwanted hair. Here at Soza Clinic in Richardson, TX, we can help you save both money and time with laser hair removal. This treatment is an easy way of permanently getting rid of the hair you’re struggling with.
While laser treatment is considered permanent, you’ll need to come to the clinic several times to make sure all the hair follicles are targeted. The number and frequency of appointments will depend on your goals, the thickness and color of your hair, and the chosen treatment area. Today, we’ll have a closer look at how laser therapy works and whether it could be a good option for you.
How Often Can You Get Laser Hair Removal?
Getting rid of your excess hair doesn’t take long, but the exact duration and nature of your treatment depends on the amount of hair you have, whether you would like all of it removed, and what area is being treated. If you’ve opted for full-body hair removal, your appointment might take 2-3 hours, but it is much shorter if your practitioner is only targeting a small area, such as your armpits.
Because hair follicles grow in stages, we advise you to wait approximately six weeks in between treatments. After four to six appointments, we can be sure that we’ve caught all your follicles in their growth stage and therefore disabled their function. In most cases, patients experience permanent results that don’t require follow-up treatment in the future.
Your Goals
Not every person would like all their hair removed. Sometimes, patients come to us because they have very thick or very dark hair, and they would simply like it to be a bit less dense. In such a case, one or two treatments could be enough.
However, men and women looking to remove all the hair in the treatment area will need to come see us at least four times. In many cases, up to six or even eight treatments are advisable. Your practitioner can speak to you about your ideal results and then suggest the optimal number and frequency of sessions.
The Thickness and Color of Your Hair
In the past, people with light skin and dark hair were the best candidates for laser hair treatment. Patients with very dark skin couldn’t participate because the device targeted their skin instead of their hair. But fortunately, the technology used by our lasers has been updated, and everyone can now benefit from this treatment.
No matter what skin and hair color you have, you’ll be a good fit, but we might have to adjust your number of sessions. Those with very dark or very dense hair often need more appointments since the laser has a harder time reaching their hair follicles. Because our providers have worked with a great range of people in the past, they can tell you during your initial consultation how many times you’ll need to come see us.
The Treatment Area
You can have your hair removed from various areas of your body, including your arms and legs, your armpits, your face, your back and chest, your shoulders, and your bikini area. However, not all areas respond to laser hair removal in the same way.
For instance, the hair follicles on your legs, underarms, and in your bikini zone have a shorter resting phase than those on your face, so they are easier to treat. What’s more, the skin in your face is very delicate, which complicates laser treatment.
Your Session at the Clinic
Now you know how long your laser therapy might take, you might wonder what the appointments at your clinic are like. When you get in touch with us, you’ll be asked to attend an initial meeting, so we can find out more about your cosmetic concerns and your medical history. You should bring all your records and information about any medications you take, since this will help us determine whether laser therapy is safe for you.
If so, we can come up with a treatment plan and book you in for your first session. We will also give you more information about how to prepare and what to expect during your appointment. Because you won’t undergo an invasive procedure, you won’t have to do much before or after your appointment. You’ll be able to leave the clinic as soon as your session with us is over.
Preparation and the Appointment
Several days before your treatment, you’ll have to stop taking blood-thinning medications and supplements which could affect the healing process. What’s more, we ask that you don’t pluck or wax your treatment area. The day before your session, you will need to shave off the hair to prevent it from absorbing the laser’s energy.
Because we want you to feel comfortable during your appointment, we’ll apply numbing cream before using the laser. Most patients don’t experience pain during their session. Instead, they describe a warm, tingling sensation that isn’t perceived as unpleasant. If you feel uncomfortable at any point during your appointment, you can speak to your provider, and they can adjust the intensity of the laser.
Recovery and Results
Once we’ve completed the treatment, you can leave the clinic and return to your normal routine. However, it’s best to avoid direct sunlight or, if this isn’t possible, to apply a strong sunscreen to your treatment area. This protects it from harm and prevents interference with the healing process.
You’ll begin to notice your results several weeks after your first session. Each time you come back to the clinic and have another treatment, the amount and density of hair will decrease. Your practitioner will let you know how long it takes for therapy to be complete. As discussed, this depends on several factors, but you can expect to see final results after approximately six to eight months.
Who Is a Good Candidate for Laser Treatment?
Nowadays, people of all skin and hair colors are good candidates for laser treatment. If you’re worried about the look or feel of your body hair, you can get in touch with us at the clinic and book in an initial consultation. We can evaluate whether the treatment matches your goals and check that you don’t have any health conditions which could interfere with laser hair removal.
You Are in Good General Health
Because the treatment is minimally invasive, almost everyone can take part. This includes people who have underlying conditions and those who aren’t eligible for elective surgery. If you have severe acne, raised scars, or an active infection at the treatment site, you might need to look for an alternative or wait until your condition improves. The best way to find out if you’re a good candidate is to speak to your local professionals.
You Want Permanent Results
When deciding whether laser treatment is for you, it’s important to consider that it is a permanent solution. For most people, the fact that they don’t have to come back to the clinic is one of the major benefits of this method. Waxing, shaving, or epilating is expensive, and on average, patients who undergo laser treatment save a five-figure amount over the course of their lives.
What’s more, they regain at least one hour per week, which they can spend interacting with their family or taking part in their favorite free-time activity. However, if you’re not sure whether you would like your hair to grow back in the future, you might need to choose a less permanent option.
Permanently Get Rid of Unwanted Hair
During their lifetimes, women spend up to $23,000 on hair removal products and procedures, and they waste hours every month waxing, shaving, or epilating their bodies. Many men face similar issues, although the money they spend is usually slightly lower. If you’d like to save your hard-earned dollars and your precious free time, you should look into laser hair removal treatment at your local clinic.
After a one-off expense and time commitment, you won’t ever have to worry about getting rid of unwanted hair again. Aside from being permanent, this treatment is also minimally invasive, so you don’t have to spend a lot of time preparing or recovering from your sessions. Call or email us now at Soza Clinic in Richardson, TX to speak to one of our experts and book your initial consultation.