If you’ve heard of laser hair removal, you may know that it’s highly effective at reducing unwanted hair at its source. You also might know that it will leave you with smoother, stubble-free skin and increased confidence.
But if you’re less familiar with laser hair removal, you may wonder why multiple sessions are needed to achieve the best results. You might also wonder why it’s most effective on thicker, coarser hair.
To answer these questions, we must dive into the biology of hair growth and the science behind laser hair removal technology.
Have you been typing “laser hair removal near Fort Collins” into Google, but aren’t sure which results to trust? Are you interested in finding out how many sessions it would take to address your unique hair removal needs? Schedule your appointment by calling us at (970) 482-1889 or visiting our website.
How Laser Hair Removal Works
Laser hair removal is a noninvasive procedure that uses a concentrated beam of light (or laser) to remove unwanted hair. This light energy emitted from the laser is then converted into heat.
The hair pigment absorbs this heat, which therefore damages the follicle that produces it. The damage done to the hair follicle then reduces and inhibits future hair growth.
Most Common Treatment Areas
Laser hair removal near Fort Collins can focus on nearly any area of the body that grows hair! The most common treatment areas include the:
- Legs
- Underarms
- Bikini area
- Back
- Face
The only areas that laser hair removal cannot address are the eyes, eyelids, inside the nose, and on tattooed skin.
Laser is less effective at removing lighter, thinner hairs like peach fuzz around the face. If you are interested in facial hair removal in Fort Collins, waxing, and dermaplaning may be better options.
Why does hair pigmentation matter?
Believe it or not, but hair color and skin type do influence the success of laser hair removal.
Individuals with a higher contrast between hair and skin color typically have the best outcomes from laser hair removal. This is because laser hair removal targets and damages the pigment in the hair only and not the skin.
A larger contrast between skin color and hair makes it easier for the follicle to absorb the heat. Laser hair removal works best on patients with light skin and dark hair, and can be less successful on gray, blond, red, and white hair.
The risk of skin damage from laser hair removal is greater when individuals have less contrast between hair and skin color. However, advances in technology have been made to help individuals with less contrast avoid skin damage.
At Xanadu Med Spa, we use the Lutronic Clarity 2 device to provide laser hair removal near Fort Collins. This device was designed to deliver faster, more effective treatments for all skin types.
The Lutronic Clarity 2 device includes an added temperature sensing feature, which keeps treatment more comfortable for all patients, including those with less contrast between skin and hair color.
The Four Stages of Hair Growth
To understand how laser hair removal works, we must first understand the biology behind the stages of hair growth.
Hair growth occurs in a continuous process that consists of these four phases:
- Anagen – The growth phase. This is when the hair follicle takes its shape and works to produce the hair fiber. The anagen phase is the longest in the hair growth cycle and varies with different types of hair on the body.
- Catagen – The transition phase. During this phase, the hair follicle stops producing the fiber and shrinks dramatically. The hair will typically separate from the bottom of the follicle but remain in place during its final days of growing.
- Telogen – The resting phase. The hair follicle goes dormant during this phase. Typically, the hair does not grow during this phase, but it doesn’t fall out either.
- Exogen – The shedding phase. This is when the hair strand is released from the follicle. The exogen phase is considered an extension of the telogen phase because no growth has occurred.
For individuals with a normal hair cycle, up to 90% of the hair follicles anywhere on the body are in the anagen phase.
Why do the stages of hair growth matter in laser hair removal?
Laser hair removal near Fort Collins works by vaporizing existing hairs below the skin and at the root. For this reason, laser hair removal works best when the hair is in the anagen phase and is actively growing.
Multiple sessions of laser are required to completely reduce hair growth because only a portion of the body’s hair is in the anagen phase at a time. A single laser hair removal session can reduce hair growth by 10-40%, and subsequent treatments as much as 90%.
Our Recommendations
At Xanadu Med Spa, it usually takes our patients 6 to 8 laser hair removal sessions to reach their desired results.
The downtime between each treatment depends entirely on the size of the treatment area and the individual’s hair growth rate. We typically have our patients go anywhere from 4 to 6 weeks between treatments.
Laser Hair Removal Results
After your laser hair removal session, you can expect to shed hair from the treated area for the next few days or weeks.
Results from laser hair removal can vary significantly from person to person and are difficult to predict.
Laser hair removal does not guarantee permanent hair removal, but many people do experience a significant reduction in hair growth. Many patients note that when the hair does grow back, it’s usually finer and lighter in color.
Shaving vs. Laser
Shaving and laser are both effective at getting rid of unwanted hair. That being said, shaving has a few drawbacks that make laser hair removal near Fort Collins the most convenient, cost-effective option.
Effectiveness
While shaving may be the more immediate hair removal method, laser is the better option if you’re looking for longer-lasting results.
Depending on the area, you can expect hair to grow back within a couple days after shaving. With laser hair removal, most people see results that last for months or even years.
Pain
Though shaving isn’t painful, the razor bumps, knicks, and ingrown hairs left in its wake can be annoying to deal with.
Most laser hair removal patients describe the procedure as largely painless. The sensation of the laser damaging the follicle is often compared to a rubber band being snapped against the skin.
Cost
Although laser hair removal might seem like the costlier option up front, you actually end up saving more money in the long run.
Want an in-depth price comparison between shaving and laser hair removal? Learn more about laser hair removal cost in Fort Collins here.
Time
While shaving may seem like the quicker hair removal solution, lasers can cut down your shower time drastically.
Studies show that most women spend 1,728 hours shaving their legs alone over the course of their lifetime. When added up, that equals almost 72 whole days spent shaving!
At Xanadu Med Spa, our full leg laser hair removal treatments take approximately 20 minutes to complete. If you want to target both arms, the session will typically take about 15 minutes. The time allotted for your laser hair removal treatment depends entirely on the areas you would like to target.
What to Expect From Your Treatment
So, your search for “laser hair removal near Fort Collins” has come to an end—now what? At Xanadu Med Spa, we’re here to be a guiding hand during every step of your hair removal treatment.
For your appointment, we’ll ask that you wear loose, comfortable clothing that allows for easy access to your treatment areas. We’ll then run the applicator across the skin to destroy the hair follicles. This can take anywhere from 15 minutes to an hour, depending on the area.
Before Your Treatment
During your consultation, we will discuss your medical history to determine if laser hair removal is right for you. We do not recommend laser hair removal to any patients who are pregnant, breastfeeding, or taking Accutane.
Additionally, we cannot perform this treatment on any skin that has an active infection or a sunburn.
Because of this, we recommend that you avoid direct exposure to sunlight before your laser hair removal treatment. If you must be exposed to sunlight, wear sunscreen with a minimum SPF of 30. Additionally, be sure to avoid tanning beds before and after your treatment.
Finally, when you arrive for your appointment, please come with clean skin that is free of makeup, oils, lotions, and perfumes.
After Your Treatment
In your search for “laser hair removal near Fort Collins,” you might have discovered that there is some necessary aftercare following your appointments. To let your skin heal, we recommend you avoid using any irritating products or exfoliants in the treatment area as well as direct sun exposure.
As always, be sure to drink plenty of water before and after your laser hair removal appointment. This will increase the efficacy of your treatment and will make the skin more receptive to the laser.
Side Effects
Swelling, redness, and discoloration are all common, temporary side effects of laser hair removal. Be sure to notify your laser technician immediately if you experience any of the following side effects:
- Skin pigmentation changes
- Scars
- Burns
- Severe pain
- Blisters
- Infections
Book Your Laser Hair Removal Appointment
If you’re looking for silky smooth legs without the hassle of shaving, laser hair removal near Fort Collins could be ideal! Schedule your laser hair removal appointment and discuss your options with our knowledgeable laser technicians to learn more.
