Nurse at Dilworth Dermatology uses a fractional laser on a patient
The Truth About Laser Hair Removal
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Hair removal is one of the most common laser treatments that come to mind when people are frustrated with unwanted body hair. If you’re exhausted from regularly shaving, tweezing, or waxing, or doing so results in breakouts or razor burn, seeking a permanent solution might be the right step.

Do Men Seek Laser Hair Removal?

Yes! Unwanted body hair affects everyone. It’s common for men to seek laser hair removal to improve their quality of life when suffering from ingrown hairs or severe razor burn every time they shave. 

Upper and lower back hair are other target areas for men seeking laser hair removal. For individuals that wax regularly, laser treatment is a more permanent solution. Some men undergo the treatment to lessen the beard growth around their sideburns or on the middle part of the face— resulting in a sharper and clearer beard line when facial hair grows. 

Will Laser Hair Removal Work for Me?

Available for over thirty years, the technology behind laser hair removal has undergone continuous advancement. Despite the commonality of the treatment, many people still have misconceptions or a general curiosity that might be left unansweredResults will vary depending upon skin type, skin color, and hair color.

Interestingly, laser hair removal treatments won’t succeed on blond, gray, or light-colored hair. This is because those hair follicles lack chromophores; there’s no object there that will absorb the energy from the laser. 

New research and technology are in development; however, nothing is yet available for patients seeking laser hair removal for lightly pigmented hairs.

Will Laser Hair Removal Work on Dark Skin?

Yes! There are specific types of lasers designed to work on patients with darker skin. For the hair removal process to work effectively, there needs to be a contrast between the color of hair you wish to be removed and your skin tone. 

If you’re curious about how the treatment will work for you, consult with your board-certified dermatologist.

Is Laser Hair Removal Permanent?

Yes. Except for areas of the face on women, your laser treatment will be permanent in the vast majority of cases. 

Patients report the treatment being incredibly freeing, not having to worry about shaving for the rest of their lives.

Which Areas of the Body Do Dermatologists Treat using Laser Hair Removal?

  • Upper and Lower Back
  • Bikini Area
  • Chest
  • Face, especially the upper lip and chin
  • Neck
  • Shoulders

Occasionally athletes seek laser treatment to remove body hair on legs, arms, and other areas where they’re already waxing regularly. While effective, it’s not a commonly requested area for treatment.

What to Expect After My Laser Hair Removal Treatment

There isn’t any real downtime required after your treatment. Immediately after having laser hair removal, your skin may be red or swollen, but you can continue on your daily activities without limitation. 

It’s common to see results right after you’re finished! While those results will vary depending on:

  • The area of treatment 
  • Color and thickness of your hair 
  • Type of laser used 
  • And, the color of your skin

In general, you can expect to see between a 10% and 25% reduction in hair right after your first session.

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