Laser hair removal is a highly effective way to achieve long-lasting – and sometimes permanent – reduction in hair growth.
While laser hair removal provides exciting results and can make people virtually hair-free, results don’t happen overnight (though we wish they could). The reality is there’s a timeline involved.
If you want to get the benefits of laser hair removal, you’ll need more than one session and you’ll need to commit to the process for several months to get the best results.
In this blog post, we’ll break down a typical timeline and answer common questions about Artemis’s laser hair removal technology – Luxea in Westminster, Co.
People choose laser hair removal because it offers advantages over traditional hair removal methods. Waxing, shaving, epilation, and other options are all tried and true, but they can be time-consuming. Laser hair removal leads to significantly less hair and delayed growth. While it can’t be labeled a permanent method of hair removal, it can achieve close to permanent for many clients.
It is important to clarify that this procedure really shouldn’t be called Laser Hair Removal but rather, Laser Hair Reduction. Hormones are what drive hair growth and surges in hormones, brought about by pregnancy, birth control, and even menopause – can cause hair to regrow.
The answer differs per person. Most people need about 6 to 9 sessions to get their desired results. This is because hair grows in phases. All of your hair won’t be at the same stage when we tackle them with the laser. You’ll need to visit the clinic for up to 12 sessions, so we can catch them all!
Everyone’s timeline will vary and you might wish to leave an extra week or two between sessions. For the first few weeks, it can look like nothing is happening as it takes time for the hair to shed. Stick with it and you’ll soon see a reduction in hair growth.
Hair grows in three stages, and we are shedding hair all the time. Once a follicle has closed to expel that hair, the laser is no longer effective. The laser only works on hair that is in the open growth phase.
The laser follows the hair down the shaft and disables the bulb. Since we can‘t look under your skin and determine which phase that hair is in, we treat the whole area. But in reality, we are only getting 20-30% of that area at a time.
Hair grows within a typical cycle of 4 to 6 weeks. After the first treatment, it is best to come for your subsequent treatments before your hair grows out fully. It is usually advised to come between the 4th and 6th-week mark – no sooner, no later.
Of course, your results are going to depend on your hair type, the volume of hair, and other factors, like your hormones. These all play an important role.
However, one thing is for sure: the results from laser hair removal are longer lasting and often far more impressive than what you can achieve with just waxing or shaving.
Imagine no pain, no ingrown hairs, and a near-permanent reduction in hair growth.
Shaving can lead to irritation as well as razor bumps, it needs to be done every few days, and it can kickstart the growth of ingrown hairs.
Shaving leaves hair with a blunt tip, so when it grows back it’ll look coarser or thicker. If you want smooth legs, you’ll only get them for a day or two after shaving.
Shaving has the shortest timeline from removal to regrowth. Genetics and hair type will play a role in how often you need to shave, but generally, a person may need to shave every 2-3 days for a clean shave, or 4-5 days to keep the hair trimmed.
Laser hair removal produces smooth legs and delays growth – sometimes for years. And even if the hair grows back, it’ll be sparse. Laser hair removal gives you plenty of hair-free time without irritation.
It is better to get your laser removal in the fall/winter as tanned skin would be ineligible for the treatment. The laser needs to see the difference between skin tone and hair.
Once you’ve finished with your sessions, you won’t need to think about hair removal. However, you need to shave often to keep your legs hair-free.
You can read more about shaving and laser hair removal differences
Waxing is another popular hair removal method. People love that post-wax smoothness!
Unlike shaving, you don’t need to wax every few days. When you wax, you get a good 2 to 3 weeks of no hair. However, there’s a big disadvantage to this method… waxing is painful! Some areas are more bearable than others, but some level of pain is guaranteed.
Waxing can also be expensive as it quickly turns into a monthly cost. Ingrown hairs do still present themselves with waxing, and irritation remains a possibility. And let’s not forget how painful waxing is, ouch! With Laser Hair Removal, the Luxea laser is like an ice-cool glass gliding up and down, with absolutely no pain!
Like waxing, Laser involves monthly trips, but these are temporary. Once your sessions are done, you’re done. With waxing, you need to keep attending appointments for as long as you wish to be hair-free. Waxing is a long-term commitment without an end in sight. Over time, this makes waxing the pricier option.
Laser hair removal is painless and this painlessness extends to other areas of the body, including the more sensitive parts like the armpits and the bikini area. When it comes to waxing, the more sensitive parts involve more pain.
Laser hair removal is a comfortable treatment with a shorter time commitment and longer results. It takes at least 30 minutes for small areas and 1.5 hours for full legs.
You can read more on benefits of Waxing & Luxa Hair Removal
You can treat most areas with a laser. Luxea’s cooling technology and focus on comfort means all areas we list shouldn’t lead to discomfort when treated.
Here are the areas we treat with our advanced laser:
Laser hair removal prevents or delays hair growth by zapping and damaging the hair follicles. One area can need several sessions before the hair stops growing.
Come shaved and ready to laser! The Luxea Laser is pain-free but only when there is no hair on the area so it is best to shave the area well before the treatment. If you do not shave beforehand, you will feel a rubber-like snap as the laser sizzles that hair down to the skin. No waxing and plucking, just shave at the skin’s surface so the laser can travel down the follicle to disable the bulb.
The Luxea laser is an advanced and powerful system that offers painless hair removal through optimized cooling, so you never need to worry about pain. We use a technology that provides both comfort and excellent results.
Fun fact: Luxea can do even more than just lead to long-lasting hair removal. The technology lets us treat age spots, sun spots, rosacea, and benign pigmented lesions at the same time!
You can read more on IPL laser benefits: IPL photo facial benefits
If you have unwanted hair, Luxea laser hair removal could be the perfect solution for you. But the best way to find out for sure is to have a consultation. Together, we’ll work out if laser hair removal is right for you by exploring your goals and handling any questions you have.
Please note that lasers are dependent on skin type. The difference between hair and skin is imperative. In the Fitzpatrick skin type guide, types 1 – 3 may see faster results due to the pigmentation, types 4 – 6 can still undergo Laser Hair Removal but it may be a slower process that requires more treatments at a lower level so as not to hypo-pigmentate their skin.
Luxea is one of the most advanced laser technologies and we’re one of the few centers to offer this painless treatment. For comfortable and effective aesthetic treatments, contact Artemis in Westminster for your consultation.
Want to forget about shaving, waxing, epilation, and other painful and irritating procedures? Embrace being hair-free with laser hair removal instead.
Call us today to discuss all things laser hair removal.
Dr. David L. Pinsinski is the esteemed founder of Artemis Vein & Aesthetic Center, an expert in the field of vein care, and a distinguished board-certified physician in Internal Medicine. With a dedicated career focused on promoting health and well-being, Dr. Pinsinski has become a trusted name in the vein care community serving Westminster, Co area. His commitment to excellence and compassionate patient care is at the core of his practice. Dr. Pinsinski’s work at Artemis Vein & Aesthetic Center is a testament to his unwavering dedication to providing the highest standard of vein care, making positive impact on patients’ lives so that they can enjoy Colorado’s beautiful nature and outdoor lifestyle.
