This is the time of year when you start to long for warm summer days and think about relaxing at the shore or hanging with friends by the pool. That also means it’s also the perfect time to start getting rid of unwanted hair.
At Dr. Goodnight’s Everlasting Beauty, James W. Goodnight, MD, offers laser hair removal so you can stay sleek and hair-free without worrying about shaving, waxing, tweezing, messy creams, or any other time-consuming method of hair removal.
But if you want to be ready for summer, you need to start laser hair removal now. Read on to learn how laser hair removal works and why you need to get a head start on summer.
How lasers permanently remove unwanted hair
The advanced lasers we use to remove hair operate on wavelengths that are only absorbed by the dark color in hair follicles. That means we can use the laser without harming your skin or the surrounding tissues.
Energy from the laser goes safely through your skin, heating and killing the hair follicle. As a result, the treated follicle stops growing new hair.
One laser session only takes 15-30 minutes, depending on the size of the body area we treat. But you need more than one session. That’s why you need to start now to be ready for summer.
Why you need multiple laser hair removal treatments
The number of laser treatments each person needs depends on variables, such as the body area where the hair is being removed. Generally, most people need 6-12 sessions, with each session spaced about 4-6 weeks apart. Here’s why: lasers can only destroy the hair follicles when they’re in a growth stage.
Hair follicles cycle through three stages. They stay in a growth phase then go through a short transitional phase before entering a dormant or resting stage.
During the dormant stage, the hair falls out, and the follicle rests for a few months. For laser hair removal, the follicle loses its dark pigmentation when it goes dormant. The laser can’t kill the follicle until it cycles back to a growth stage and regains color.
On any day, roughly 10-15% of your hair follicles are dormant and can’t be treated by the laser. That is why you need multiple treatments spaced several weeks apart to catch all the follicles at the right time.
Laser hair removal safely treats most of your body
The lasers we use can treat all skin types and virtually every part of your body. We often remove hair from the:
- Face
- Neck
- Underarms
- Arms
- Legs
- Bikini area
- Chest
- Back
- Shoulders
- Abdomen
Most people easily tolerate laser hair removal, often describing it as feeling like a rubber band snapped against the skin.
Some areas of the body are more delicate, however. In these cases, some people choose a topical numbing cream for added comfort.
If you’re ready to permanently eliminate unwanted body hair, call Dr. Goodnight’s Center for Everlasting Beauty in Ridgewood, New Jersey, or schedule an appointment online today.