The hot summer days have finally ended, which can only mean one thing: It’s officially laser hair removal season!
Laser hair removal is a cosmetic procedure that reduces hair at its source to help you achieve silky-smooth legs.
If constant shaving and waxing irritates your skin, laser hair removal at Frisco Body Contouring could be the solution you’ve been searching for. Keep reading to learn about laser hair removal near Prosper, TX, and the benefits you might be missing out on.
Ready to start your laser hair removal journey? Visit our website or give us a call to book your appointment and ditch the razors for good.
What is laser hair removal?
Laser hair removal is a noninvasive procedure that uses a concentrated beam of light to remove unwanted hair.
This treatment involves a process called selective photothermolysis, which uses heat to target and destroy pigment in the hair follicle. This damage done to the hair follicle reduces and inhibits its ability to grow hair in the future.
Common Laser Hair Removal Treatment Areas
Laser hair removal near Prosper, TX, can treat almost any area on the body. The most common treatment locations include the:
- Legs
- Arms
- Underarms
- Face
- Back
- Bikini area
The only places laser hair removal cannot treat are the areas around the eye and eyelids. Laser hair removal also does not work on and can damage tattooed skin.
The Ideal Candidates for Laser Hair Removal
Laser hair removal near Prosper, TX, is most successful on individuals with a lighter skin tone and darker hair color. This is because a higher contrast in skin and hair color makes it easier for the laser to target pigment in the hair follicle.
This does not mean that laser hair removal is ineffective on individuals with darker skin tones or lighter hair colors.
At Frisco Body Contouring, we use the Lutronic Clarity II device for laser hair removal. This device includes an added temperature sensing feature, making laser hair removal safer and more efficient for patients of all skin tones and hair colors.
How many sessions of laser hair removal will I need?
Although laser hair removal near Prosper, TX, greatly reduces hair growth, it may take multiple sessions to achieve your desired results.
Depending on the treatment area, it usually takes our patients 6 to 8 sessions to reach maximum hair reduction.
Laser hair removal requires multiple sessions because the stages of hair growth dictate how much hair can be removed at a time.
Hair grows and falls out in three distinct phases, which include:
- Anagen – This is when the hair is in its growth phase. The anagen phase as a whole can last for multiple years.
- Catagen – During this phase, the hair follicles shrink and growth stops.
- Telogen – The telogen phase is considered the resting phase, as hair does not grow or fall out. Anywhere from 10 to 15% of hairs on the body are in this phase at any given time.
While each follicle grows independently of one another, about 90% of body hair is in the anagen phase. This is the only hair growth phase that laser hair removal can target.
For this reason, we recommend having your laser hair removal treatments spaced 4 to 8 weeks apart, giving each follicle time to cycle into the next phases.
It’s Laser Season
“Laser season” refers to the period our practitioners believe to be the best time of year to get laser hair removal done.
At Frisco Body Contouring, we recommend our patients schedule their laser hair removal treatments during the fall and winter. This is to help minimize the negative side effects that sun exposure and shaving can have on your results.
Why is avoiding sun exposure so important?
It is essential to stay out of the sun as much as possible before and after your laser hair removal treatment. This is because tanned skin can make laser hair removal less effective and increase the risk of pigmentation changes.
We typically experience cooler temperatures and fewer hours of daylight during the fall and winter. This makes it easier to avoid sun exposure and preserve the results of your laser hair removal treatment.
Why shouldn’t I shave my legs?
It’s also important to avoid other hair removal methods at least 4 weeks before and in between your treatments. Plucking, waxing, and shaving can disturb the hair follicle and negatively impact your laser hair removal results.
We recommend completing your laser hair removal sessions during the fall and winter because it’s usually too cold to leave bare skin exposed. Keeping skin covered with pants and long sleeves will help you get away with not shaving as often.
The Laser Hair Removal Process at Frisco Body Contouring
So you’ve decided that laser hair removal near Prospect, TX, is right for you. Now what?
Here’s what you can expect after booking your appointment at Frisco Body Contouring.
Preparing for Your Treatment
Your laser hair removal journey will begin with a consultation with one of our laser technicians. During this time, you’ll have the opportunity to discuss your treatment goals and ask questions about the process.
Be sure to alert your technician of any conditions you have or medications you’re taking that may complicate your treatment. These include a history of skin disorders or scarring, as well as blood-thinning medications and anti-inflammatory drugs.
As mentioned previously, avoid sunbathing, tanning beds, and general sun exposure before your laser hair removal treatment. If you must be in direct sunlight, be sure to wear a sunscreen with a minimum SPF of 30.
While it’s important to avoid shaving in the weeks leading up to your appointment, we do recommend shaving the day before. This removes the longer hairs that may interfere with your laser treatment while keeping the follicle intact for optimal results.
Finally, when you arrive for your appointment, please come with clean skin that is free of makeup, oils, lotions, and perfumes.
During Your Treatment
During your laser hair removal appointment, your technician will press a hand-held device to your skin to begin heating the follicles.
The duration of your treatment depends entirely on the size of the treatment area. Typically, a session can range anywhere from 5 to 20 minutes.
You may experience mild warming sensation during your procedure for laser hair removal near Prospect, TX. This depends on each patient’s skin type and sensitivity, as well as the treatment area location.
After Your Treatment
To allow for optimal healing, do not use any skin irritating products or exfoliants in the treatment area. It is also important to continue avoiding direct sun exposure and to use a sunscreen with a minimum 30 SPF.
Side Effects
In the hours following your laser hair removal appointment, your skin may be red, swollen, and feel a little painful. We recommend using a cold compress to relieve any feelings of discomfort.
Alert your technician if you develop any of the following side effects in the days after your treatment:
- Blisters
- Burns
- Pigmentation changes
- Infections
- Scars
- Severe pain
Frequently Asked Questions About Laser Hair Removal
Still need to know more about laser hair removal near Prosper, TX? Here are some answers to frequently asked questions about laser hair removal to help inform your decision.
Is laser hair removal permanent?
Though laser hair removal greatly reduces hair growth, its results are not entirely permanent.
The goal of laser hair removal is to destroy the hair follicle and inhibit future hair growth, but sometimes, the follicle is only damaged. A damaged hair follicle has the potential to heal and regrow, which is why laser hair removal is not considered permanent.
Many patients do experience a significant reduction in hair growth from laser hair removal. If the hair does grow back, it is usually finer, lighter in color, and more sparse.
Who should not get laser hair removal?
At Frisco Body Contouring, we cannot perform laser hair removal on individuals who are pregnant or breastfeeding.
We don’t recommend laser hair removal near Prosper, TX, for patients with an active infection or sunburn in the treatment area. Patients who are on Accutane or are taking a blood-thinning medication should stop doing so before their appointment.
How long do laser hair removal results last?
Most people achieve results from laser hair removal that last several months to a few years. This depends entirely on each person’s unique hair growth cycle.
Additional maintenance treatments may be required for long-term hair reduction.
Book Your Appointment
Schedule your appointment for laser hair removal near Prosper, TX, to achieve the silky, hair-free skin you’ve always wanted. Visit our website to schedule your appointment and kick off your laser hair removal journey.
Interested in other laser treatments at Frisco Body Contouring? Check out our website to learn more about laser pigmentation treatments, body contouring, and more.