Getting rid of unwanted hair is a chore most of us would rather not have to address, or at least not as frequently as we must. The good news: Laser hair removal is an excellent alternative for hair removal — but does it give permanent results?
Michele Meinhart, FNP, offers the most advanced laser hair removal technology and patient-centered techniques focused on helping every patient at Starkey Medical Esthetics achieve the best results from their treatments. Here’s how laser hair removal works and how long you can expect the results to last.
Laser hair removal uses focused laser energy to target individual hairs, causing heat damage that prevents the follicle from producing hair. The hair itself acts like a “wick,” absorbing laser heat and transmitting it directly to the follicle at its base.
Hair grows in a cycle comprising three main stages:
The heat damage associated with laser hair removal only works on hairs in the anagen phase of hair growth.
Of course, not all your hairs are in the same phase of growth at any given time. If they were, you’d lose all your hair whenever the telogen phase rolls around. Since different hairs are in different stages of growth, you’ll need multiple laser hair treatments to make sure you target every hair at the optimal time.
Laser hair removal can be used on virtually any part of your body, and it can dramatically change the way you treat your unwanted hair. However, even though the results can definitely be long-lasting, they aren’t always permanent.
After laser hair treatment, many people find their results last for months or even longer. When hair does regrow, it tends to be thinner, lighter, and finer than before, making it easier to treat with shaving or waxing.
Best of all, hair can be retreated over time to prolong those results. Many people benefit from yearly touch-ups to keep their skin smooth and sexy. The frequency of your treatments depends on many factors, including your hair color and thickness, your skin type, and even hormonal fluctuations associated with menopause or polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).
Laser hair removal gives you smoother skin and greater confidence, too, plus it makes your personal care routine a lot easier. To learn more about laser hair removal and how it can help you look and feel your best, request an appointment online or over the phone with the team at Starkey Medical Esthetics in Salem, Virginia, today.
