Love Your Legs With Laser Hair Removal

Are you tired of the never-ending cycle of shaving your legs only to have stubble within hours? Do you dread planning your dating life and trips to the pool around the three weeks of hair growth needed to get waxed? And don’t get us started on the nicks, bumps, razor burn and ingrown hairs!! If you’re nodding your head in frustration, let us introduce you to the ultimate solution: laser hair removal.

Considering laser hair removal is one of the most popular cosmetic procedures in the United States, we’re sure you’ve at least heard of it before. What you might not know is that there are numerous types of lasers, the process is less painful than old-school lasers, and as long as you schedule your series of wax appointments properly (which we will explain), laser hair removal is very long-lasting.

With laser hair removal, you can say goodbye to traditional hair removal methods and hello to a life of smooth, hairless bliss that will make you want to show off your stems year-round! Go ahead, toss that razor and cancel that wax appointment – laser hair removal has got you covered.

Keep reading to learn more about how laser hair removal works and where you can get it.

How Does Laser Hair Removal Work?

Laser hair removal works by utilizing, you guessed it, a laser. A concentrated beam of light is emitted that can pass through the skin without damaging it. Melanin, the pigment within the hair follicle, absorbs this light, and the intense energy turns into heat. This heat damages the hair follicle from within, disabling hair production.

Laser hair removal is virtually painless, very fast, and as long as the correct laser for your skin type is used and you complete all sessions, it can reduce hair growth by up to 90%.

You can get laser hair removal on most parts of the body. Below are the areas approved for treatment:

• upper lip hair removal
• arm and underarm areas
• legs and knees
• bikini area with “Brazilian” options
• chin and face
• back and shoulders

How Many Laser Hair Removal Sessions Do You Need?

There isn’t a black-and-white answer to this question. Laser hair removal requires a little patience. You certainly won’t walk away hair free after only a few sessions.

Several factors determine how many times someone will need to have treatment to achieve desired results, such as:

• Skin tone
• Hair type
• Your hormones
• The laser used
• The treatment area
• How consistent you are
• How you time your sessions

Typically, a minimum of 8-12 sessions are needed for desired results. It is crucial that these sessions are spread out about one month apart. We will explain in depth why timing is important in the next section. In short, it has to do with your hair growth cycle. Don’t skip the next section, as understanding your hair growth cycle is crucial for successful laser hair removal.

The good news is, with each session, you should notice hair grows back slower, finer and possibly lighter. You also don’t have to forgo shaving and walk around hairy between sessions. You can’t pluck or wax your hair, but you can shave. In fact, you will be asked to shave the evening before or the morning of your laser hair removal appointment.

The Hair Growth Cycle Explained

Laser hair removal takes patience and strategy because of your hair growth cycle.

Understanding the hair growth cycle is key to understanding why laser hair removal results are not immediate and why you will need several sessions before seeing full results.

There are three stages of hair growth:

Anagen phase

This is the growth phase. The longer the hair stays in this cycle, the longer it will grow.

Catagen phase

This is a transitional phase where the follicle cuts off supply to the hair and renews itself.

Telogen phase

This is a resting period. The hair is no longer growing but is held in place until the follicle begins the anagen phase again. The old hair will break free, and the new hair will emerge.

You will achieve the best results from laser hair removal if the treatment is performed during a particular hair growth stage, the anagen stage. When the hair is growing, there is an abundance of melanin. This substance is what the laser targets to destroy the hair follicle. It also may take more than one treatment to cause significant damage to the follicle to prevent hair regrowth.

There can be up to 2,500 follicles of hair per square inch of skin, with only 100 being in a visible phase. If hairs are in any stage other than the anagen (growth) stage, the laser will not be able to target the hair follicle for this particular hair, and you will see regrowth later. Hence the need for multiple sessions spaced about one month apart, which is the typical length of a hair-growth cycle.

It can be tricky to determine what phase your hair growth is in because every person has their own growth cycle. Add to that, each individual hair has a different growth cycle, which means not all of your hair will be at the same stage at the time of your appointment. Some might be in the rest phase, while others might be visible because they are in the catagen phase.

It is also important to note that the body does not put all hair on this same cycle. Different parts of the body have different hair growth cycle timelines. This isn’t bad; it means you don’t have to worry about your hair falling out all at once. But it does make timing your laser hair removal sessions a little tricky. Especially if you are coming in to have more than one area treated.

• Eyebrow Growth Phase: 3 months. Total Cycle: 10 months.
• Ear Growth Phase: 3 months. Total Cycle: 10 months.
• Chin Growth Phase: 10 weeks. Total Cycle: 14 months.
• Upper Lip Growth Phase: 6 weeks. Total Cycle: 5 months.
• Armpits Growth Phase: 16 weeks. Total Cycle: 5 months.
• Groin Growth Phase: 3 months. Total Cycle: 8 months.
• Arms Growth Phase: 16 weeks. Total Cycle: 10 months.
• Legs Growth Phase: 24 weeks. Total Cycle: 11-12 months.

We know this is confusing, but don’t worry. Our staff can help you time out your appointments for optimal results. As long as you are consistent, you will eventually zap every hair follicle.

This brings us to the most frequently asked question regarding laser hair removal— is it permanent?

Is Laser Hair Removal Permanent?

As described earlier, laser hair removal damages the hair follicle and your hair won’t grow while the follicles are damaged. This damage can be long-lasting, but it is challenging to promise permanent results.

The reason is twofold. As mentioned above, one reason is that laser hair removal only works when the hair is in the anagen growth phase. Since hair doesn’t all grow on the same cycle, you must come in for all repeat treatments to catch hair follicles when they are active.

Another reason laser hair removal can’t be deemed “permanent” is that the body can activate previously dormant follicles at any time. Hormonal changes, PCOS, menopause, and insulin resistance are bodily changes that may trigger hair growth.

In a nutshell, laser hair removal treatments are a long-term way to move unwanted hair that can be permanent. However, many factors determine the effectiveness of laser treatment. If you stay committed to scheduled treatments and touch-ups when necessary, you can enjoy extended periods of smooth skin to permanent hairlessness.

What To Expect During Laser Hair Removal Treatment

Most people find the procedure relatively painless without numbing cream, describing it as warm pinpricks or a rubber band snapping the skin. But if you would like to be numbed, upon arrival, a topical anesthetic numbing cream will be applied to the treatment area. It takes about 30 to 60 minutes for a numbing gel to work.

Once numb, the treatment can begin. You will be asked to wear protective eyewear during the procedure. Once in place, your esthetician will hold the skin and start zapping the laser. You might see tiny plumes of smoke and even smell a burning odor. Don’t worry; this is normal!

How long your treatment lasts depends on the size of the area being treated. For example, treating the upper lip or chin only takes a minute or two. If you have a large area like the back or legs treated, your treatment could last up to an hour.

You might have some temporary redness or swelling. That should go away shortly after your session. There is also no downtime required after your session. You can resume all normal activities.

Can Everyone Get Laser Hair Removal Treatment?

Yes! When laser hair removal first hit the market, you didn’t have many options. In fact, if you have fine, thin, light body hair– you weren’t even a candidate for laser hair removal. Additionally, many lasers aren’t suited for people with dark skin tones.

Laser hair removal still works best on thicker, darker hair because the more melanin, the better the laser will work; that hasn’t changed. But many new lasers work better than years past at zapping thin, light hair. New lasers are also safe for dark skin, which we will go over next.

Skin thickness can also affect how effective the laser treatment works, as thin skin allows the laser to reach deeper into the hair follicle.

Your skin tone can also affect how well you respond to laser hair removal. Skin tones affect the way a laser targets the root. Laser hair removal works best on people with light complexions and dark hair.

If you have dark skin, laser treatment is still an option, but pending the laser used, it may take more treatments and touch-ups to achieve the desired results.

Which Hair Removal Laser Is Best For Me?

Laser hair removal has come a long way. These days, different types of lasers for different skin tones utilize light wavelengths ranging from visible light to near-infrared radiation and can work to target different skin tones.

Here is a list of some of the most popular and what skin tones they are best suited to treat.

• Ruby Laser: Pale skin tones.
• Pulsed Diode Array: Pale to medium skin tones.
• IPL: Pale to medium skin tones.
• Alexandrite: All skin types
• Clarity II – All skin types,  including dark skin.
• ND:YAG (GENTLEYAG®) – Works for all skin tones. Might be the most effective and safest laser for darker skin tones.

What About “Home” Laser Hair Removal Devices?

We understand the appeal. Many at-home laser devices promise the same results as professional laser hair removal, but in the comfort of your home and sometimes at a fraction of the cost.

We do not recommend at-home laser hair removal. While these devices are less powerful than the equipment used in a medspa, you could still do serious damage if you aren’t very careful.

Additionally, less power comes with less effectiveness. At-home devices don’t work as well as the pro models, as they aren’t typically strong enough to get completely hair-free.

How To Prepare for Laser Hair Removal Treatment

To prepare for laser hair removal treatment, there are some dos and don’ts to follow that will optimize your results.

DO:

Stop taking any photosensitive medications. These could include antibiotics, retinoids, and alpha hydroxy acids. Not stopping these products could increase skin irritation, and sun damage could occur.

Attend every laser session. If you don’t complete treatments as scheduled, you may miss lasering away hair follicles that move into a dormant growth phase. Missing a follicle means you will likely see hair later, even up to a year later.

Shave the area that will be laser treated. Shaving helps the laser get all the way down to the root of the hair for maximum effect. Leaving hair on top of the skin will also leave you with the smell of burnt and singed hair during your treatment.

DON’T:

Refrain from waxing the area. Not waxing is essential because the root needs to stay intact. If the root has been damaged or removed, the laser will not be able to destroy the hair.

Don’t tweeze. The reason is the same as above; the treatment will be ineffective with the hair root removed.

Avoid bleaching hair for one month before. As the laser targets the colored melanin in the follicle, bleaching will lower the laser’s effectiveness or render it completely ineffective.

Book Your Laser Hair Removal In Middle Tennessee

If you are looking to save time and money, never have to do a rush “shave in the sink” because you got invited to a last-minute bare-all event, or never want to worry about having to schedule your life around waxing appointments– it’s time to jump on board laser hair removal.

Our offices in Mt. Juliet and Lebanon provide quality laser hair removal services with outstanding results. What are you waiting for? It’s time to put down the razor and pick up the phone to book your laser hair removal appointment – your legs will thank you.

Schedule a laser hair removal consultation with The Lett Center by calling us at 615.443.0901.