Do you have unwanted dark coarse hair? Are you tired of waxing, plucking and shaving? Have you outgrown ingrown hairs? Do you loath shaving a part of your body daily? If you answer yes to any of these questions, then you need to keep reading!
Permanent hair reduction can be achieved with a series of quick laser procedures that can be done at Nicole Norris MD Medical Spa in Peru, IL. Here are some of the most asked questions about Laser Hair Reduction!
Who is a good candidate for laser hair reduction?
Anyone with an area of unwanted dark coarse hair over the age of 18 can have laser hair reduction. The laser that we use is safe for most skin types. If you would like to shave an area of your body less or not at all, that grows this type of hair, you are a good candidate!
How does it work?
Laser hair removal does not work on blonde, red, white, or grey hair because the laser energy is only attracted to the dark pigment in the hair follicle. The energy from the laser travels down the dark brown/black hair follicle and destroys the hair follicle stem cell at the base under the skin, therefore causing the hair follicle to stop growing permanently. On average, patients require 6 treatments separated by 4-8 weeks to achieve a satisfactory amount of hair reduction in an area. Hair on the face grows more quickly and is treated every 4 weeks, verses hair on the back and legs have a growth cycle of every 6-8 weeks. It is important that we stay on schedule with these intervals for the treatment to be effective. It is also imperative that you do not pull out the root of the hair in the area we are treating during the time you are coming in for laser hair reduction treatments. You may shave, but you should not pluck, wax, or thread your unwanted hair to assure the best possible results.
How does it feel?
The energy that comes from the laser is heat energy, so most patients describe the treatment as a series of warm rubber band snaps. Our laser has a cooling system which makes the treatment extremely tolerable. The laser we use in our office for hair reduction was engineered solely for this purpose. It is the fastest, most painless, and safest laser for hair removal available in the US at this time!
What areas do you commonly treat?
Areas of the body most commonly treated with laser hair reduction include the face, neck, back, chest, underarms, bikini, arms, and legs. The procedure is quick and relatively painless with no downtime. It is important that the area being treated has not had significant sun exposure, tanning bed exposure, or any self-tanner in the month prior to treatment.
Is laser hair reduction safe?
It is safe if it is done in a physician’s office and safety protocols are followed. We ask our patients to come in prior for a consultation and test spot prior to starting their series of treatments. By seeing the skin and the hair’s reaction to the laser energy, we can tell if it is a safe and effective treatment for the patient. Everyone in the laser room wears goggles to protect their eyes from the laser light.
What can I expect long term?
After your initial series of treatments, you will have noticeably fewer dark coarse hairs, and the hair will change to be softer and finer. You will rarely need to shave. Over time, you may notice a few dark hairs recur due to hormone changes. Patients can come in for another treatment at any time after their initial series of treatments to touch-up the area!
How much money can I save over my lifetime having laser hair reduction?
If a woman spends 2 minutes shaving under her arms 3 days per week, she will save 52 hours of her life in 10 years. If she has laser hair reduction earlier in her life vs later, that is days of her life not spent shaving, and that’s just the math on underarms! Time is money!
If you are ready to be Hair Free and Care-Free, contact us at Nicole Norris MD Medical Spa to schedule your laser hair reduction consultation today! We love seeing patients from Peru, LaSalle, Spring Valley, Ottawa, Princeton, Mendota, Dixon and everywhere in between!
-Dr. Norris
Nicole Norris MD Medical Spa