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Let’s be honest, male or female, shaving regularly can be a tiring and repetitive task. Every day or a few times a week, you’re removing hair from your legs, underarms, face, neck, and pubic area. With laser hair removal, you don’t have to keep up with the shaving or waxing regiment. Better yet, your dermatologist can complete the procedure right in their office.
Laser Hair Removal
Laser hair removal by your Southlake, TX dermatologist, is a safe and effective solution for removing unwanted body hair for good. The treatment was approved over 20 years ago by the FDA and is one of the most common procedures people between the ages of 20 and 45 seek dermatology care.
The process works by using specific wavelengths of light and pulse to destroy the hair follicle that allows new hair to grow. Specifically, the melanin (pigment or color) in the hair absorbs the light from the laser, it converts to heat and destroys the hair follicles.
It’s effective for anyone with dark hair. When it was first developed in the 1990s, removing hair from dark skin tones was more difficult. Technology, technique, and education have improved the process, and most skilled dermatologists can perform it without leaving blisters, scars, or irregular skin color that can replace a lifetime of shaving with a lifetime of blending foundation.
However, the reason you don’t see people over 45 having it done is that it doesn’t work for people with gray or white hair. Additionally, it won’t work well for individuals with blond and red hair, including strawberry blond. The reason for the difficulty is the lack of melanin or color in the hair and shades that are too light are more difficult for the laser to target.
Benefits of Laser Hair Removal
The benefits are endless, depending on your work, lifestyle, and location. Hair removal is a tedious process and if you have a lot, you could easily spend an hour a week or more grooming your face, neck, legs, underarms, and pubic area. It also requires regular purchase for shaving cream, razors, aftercare products, and items for waxing. For people with sensitive skin that often deals with razor burns and ingrown hair issues, it’s even more expensive. If you wax it away for a longer, hair-free duration, it’s sticky and also for people who claim they’re used to it, waxing and tweezing are painful.
In addition to the regular torment, people experience from shaving, plucking, and waxing away unwanted hair, one slip can result in dangerous cuts that may lead to infections. If you have razor bumps or ingrown hairs, see your dermatologist for the next available appointment.
Where Laser Hair Removal Isn’t Permanent
Your dermatologist inSouthlake, TX, can remove hair from virtually anywhere on your body with the laser. The most common areas are the face, legs, bikini area, and under the arms. Some areas you may not consider, but are still possible include the arms, stomach and around the belly button, and spots around the nipples. A popular option for men following their face is the back.
The only area where removal isn’t forever is the face. Men who have laser treatments may need touchups later in life, and because of hormones, women will need regular appointments to keep facial hair away. To improve the outcome, don’t tweeze or wax between dates or there will be no dark pigment (root) for the laser to target.
Potential Risks of Laser Hair Removal
One reason to go to a dermatologist is to minimize risks. You may see specials advertised at local spas or for do-it-yourself kits online. However, it’s important to have a trained and licensed professional complete the procedure and not an aesthetician. Only a medical doctor can spot warts and infections, and they’ll also know to ask about sun exposure before the procedure and they have the skills to go around tattoos and piercings, which can be very painful if the laser hits them. When a dermatologist completes the removal, you should experience minimal pain during and following the process.
Does Insurance Cover Laser Hair Removal?
Although it would be nice, laser hair removal is a cosmetic procedure that saves time and improves your beauty routine but isn’t a medical necessity. While your dermatologist in Southlake, TX, can complete the process, it won’t be a valid insurance claim.
What to Expect During Your Appointment?
It’s not a one and done procedure. Even on areas that remove the hair forever, it will take a few appointments to completely destroy all the hair follicles in the area. At the start, your dermatologist will apply a topical numbing solution to reduce discomfort about thirty minutes before the start. While the process can cause some pain, it much less than tweezing and waxing.
The entire appointment should take no more than an hour each time, and smaller areas take considerably less. Following the procedure, your skin will feel a little tender to the touch, similar to a sunburn. You can reduce the discomfort with cool compresses and moisturizing your skin. Additionally, your dermatologist will also advise you to avoid the gym, hot showers, and saunas and hot tubs after your treatment.
When’s the Best Time to Schedule Laser Hair Removal?
While you can complete the service throughout the year, the best time to schedule an appointment is in the fall or winter so you can cover up between treatments. Sun exposure can reduce the effectiveness of the procedure. For the best results, avoid sunshine for six weeks before and after each appointment.
If you’re looking to have permanent or semi-permanent hair removal, get the jump on summer now and contact your Southlake, TX, dermatologist at Compassion Dermatology to schedule a consultation.
