How many hair removal sessions

This laser provides treatment extremely quickly and works on almost every skin type. It also allows for a fully customizable treatment, so you can get exactly what you want out of your laser treatment.

The number of laser treatments can vary greatly from person to person. In general, you will need about 2 to 3 sessions to get the best results. That said, you may need a few more or even a few less depending on a few factors.

Some areas of your body will require more diligence than others. Laser hair treatments are typically used on the areas mentioned above. Some of these areas produce thicker hair faster than others. For example, a woman who is looking to get rid of hair on the upper lip area may take faster than a woman looking to remove hair from the legs or armpits.

This is because the hair on the upper lip is generally thinner and finer than that on other areas of the body. If you have naturally thicker hair, then you may require more sessions than someone who has finer hair. Many patients who come to our clinic want to remove all of the hair on the area of concern.

However, other patients simply want to reduce the number of hairs, which makes other hair removal processes like shaving and waxing faster, easier, and more effective.

Most patients will see results after three to six visits. Additionally, treatments are spaced out about every six weeks since individual hairs grow in cycles. It can take nine months to a year to treat one area of the body. After each appointment, you will notice fewer hairs growing in that area.

After treatment is complete, patients should visit our office once or twice a year for maintenance sessions. The type of laser that the office uses can also affect the number of treatments that you need.

Some lasers produce longer wavelengths that penetrate the skin deeper and absorb less of the hair pigment. In these situations, a patient might need more sessions. This laser is typically safer and more effective for patients with darker skin.

Larger areas of the body require a different type of laser to cover more space quicker. Are you ready to learn more about laser hair removal and see if you are a candidate? If so, you can contact our Fullerton office at or schedule an appointment online for more information.

Board-certified dermatologist William Baugh is dedicated to providing the best professional dermatological services. He is proud to be affiliated with the:. For an appointment at Dr. Baugh's modern, spa-like practice, please contact us online or call Some images are of models, not actual patients. Sitemap Privacy Policy Login. This medical treatment utilizes a laser to remove unwanted hair. During the treatment, a laser emits a light that is absorbed by the pigment in the hair, called melanin.

This light energy is converted to heat and travels through the hair to the follicle within the skin. The heat energy damages the follicles to inhibit or delay future hair growth. The basic principle of hair removal with lasers is that the pigment of the hair, but not of the skin, should absorb the light energy.

This allows the skin to remain unharmed while the unwanted hair absorbs the energy so the follicle can be damaged. This means that the treatment works best when there is a contrast between hair and skin color.

In the early days of this treatment, it was difficult to effectively perform it on individuals who did not have a high contrast between their skin and hair colors, meaning light skin with dark hair. However, technological advances have been made that allow for effective hair removal for individuals with dark skin using long-pulsed NDYAG lasers. They will ask you about your medical history and any medications you take, both prescriptions and over-the-counter. Make sure you include any supplements or herbs you take as these can impact the treatment.

Your doctor will also take photos of the areas of your body where you are having hair removed for before-and-after assessments. Your doctor will also provide you with specific instructions to prepare for the treatment. Your doctor will advise you to stay out of the sun as much as possible before treatment. The treatment is most successful when the pigment of your skin is lighter than the hair.

Your doctor will ask you to avoid plucking and waxing for at least four weeks before the procedure as any of these can disturb the follicle. When you are having your consultation with your doctor, they will advise you about which medications are not safe to take before this treatment.

Aspirin and other anti-inflammatory drugs can have the side effect of being blood-thinning and must be avoided prior to treatment. Trim or shave the treatment area the day before you come in for your laser treatment. This removes hair above the surface but leaves the follicle intact below the skin. During the treatment, you will be given special goggles to protect your eyes from the laser.

If your hair is still too long on the area being treated, an assistant may shave the site again. The doctor will use a handheld laser instrument to treat the skin area. The light will pass through your skin and damage the follicles beneath the surface. Treating a small area will only take a short period of time, while a larger area requires more time to treat.

After each laser treatment, avoid sunlight as much as possible. Laser hair removal is an easy and effective way to achieve long-term hair reduction so you can not only look your best but feel your best, too. Is there a permanent hair removal?