Laser hair removal is an effective way to remove unwanted hair for many people, with little downtime or side effects. It does not work on every skin type or color, however, so consult with your dermatologist before beginning any treatment to make sure it’s right for your personal needs.
Laser hair removal is a treatment that uses laser light to remove unwanted hair. The process is done by targeting the pigment in hair follicles and destroying them, which permanently prevents new hair from growing.
Read on to learn more about Best Laser Hair Removal Bay Area
Best Laser Hair Removal Bay Area
One of the most common targets for cosmetic intervention is hair, whether the patient feels that they have too much, too little, or a combination of both problems. Unwanted body hair on any area of the body or face can be embarrassing, and leave the person feeling inhibited and self-conscious. Constant attention with waxing or tweezing is costly and painful. Luckily, Dr. Sheena Kong’s San Francisco laser hair removal treatment makes it possible to remove unwanted hair from any face or body area, leaving a smooth, clear skin texture, without the lumps and bumps associated with some other types of hair removal treatments.
Laser Vs. Other Hair Removal Methods
If you suffer from unwanted body hair, you may find yourself dedicating hours of your weekly routine to its removal. Shaving, plucking, waxing, and chemical removal methods can be arduous and even painful, and need to be performed again and again to maintain results. Shaving, for example, is an abrasive method that irritates the skin and whose results are extremely short-lived: within a day or two, hair is already growing back, often appearing thicker, darker, and coarser than before. That doesn’t even take into account the irritation, itching and burning sensations in your skin during hair regrowth after shaving. Waxing can be painful and tweezing meticulous, and neither lasts long before you’re back where you started. Over-the-counter chemical shaving replacements often irritate the skin and can produce unreliable results.
Only one method is known to produce consistent, long-lasting results: laser hair removal. Rather than just cutting the hair or removing it at the root, laser hair removal takes it a step further by targeting the hair follicle itself and preventing it from re-growing new hair. This method involves the use of brief, intense pulses of light that penetrate the skin and target the hair follicles, halting growth. You will be given a pair of goggles to protect your eyes from the bursts of lights, and a cooling gel will be applied to your skin to protect it from rising temperatures and keep you comfortable. Our laser hair removal treatment is a safe procedure associated with only minimal discomfort, and many clients see permanent reduction in hair with only a few treatment sessions.
What Are the Benefits of Laser Hair Removal?
Laser hair removal in San Francisco is a safe, effective treatment option that produces long-lasting results. Benefits of this non-invasive procedure include:
- Minimal side effects: Temporary symptoms, such as minor skin irritation and redness, typically subside within a few days.
- Long-term cost effectiveness: Laser hair removal may cost more up front, but it can mean significant savings in the long run when you no longer need to pay for wax treatments, depilatory products, razors, shaving cream, or other hair removal expenses.
- No hair growth needed for treatment: Unlike waxing and other hair removal methods, surface hair is not needed for laser hair removal. This means you can shave and remain fuzz free before your treatment session.
- Precision in treatment: Advanced lasers selectively target hair and hair follicles without damaging the surrounding skin.
- Quick procedure: Each laser pulse takes a fraction of a second to treat many hairs simultaneously. In one second, the laser can treat an area the size of a quarter. The upper lip can be treated in less than a minute, while larger areas, such as the legs, can take longer.
- Predictable results: For most patients, effective, long-term hair removal can be achieved in three to seven treatment sessions.
What Is Recovery Like After Laser Hair Removal?
After laser hair removal in the Bay Area, your treated skin may look and feel like you have a mild sunburn, which typically subsides in one or two days. Cool compresses and topical treatments can help. You may apply makeup the day after the procedure.
The hair growing in the areas treated with this groundbreaking hair removal system fall out over the next month. Be sure to wear sunscreen during this time. You can return to work immediately after the procedure. Avoid strenuous activities, particularly contact sports, until any redness subsides and your skin is no longer irritated. Contact us today for arguably the best treatment of laser hair removal San Francisco has to offer.
Preparing For Your Treatment
Correctly preparing for your laser hair removal appointment will increase the procedure’s effectiveness. Do not spend time in the sun or use self-tanning lotions before your appointment. You want to maintain as much contrast as possible between your skin tone and hair color.
The great thing about laser hair removal is – you can still shave! You don’t have to wait for hairs to grow in to have laser treatment. Simply avoid waxing, tweezing, or any other hair removal method that removes the follicle.
Wear soft, comfortable clothing that is either loose or leaves the area you want treated exposed. Make sure your skin is clean and refrain from using lotions, ointments, or cosmetics. Dr. Kong will guide you through each step of the process and give you any additional instructions prior to your appointment.
Popular Areas for Laser Hair Removal
Both men and women turn to laser hair removal as a solution for unwanted hair. Laser hair removal can be performed virtually anywhere on the body, even the most sensitive areas. Laser hair removal is effective in removing unwanted hair from:
- Arms
- Legs
- Armpits
- Face
- Back
- Stomach
- Chest
- Bikini line/groin
Any face or body area that you choose to have laser hair removal can be treated with laser energy, in a customized treatment. Some men choose not to remove all their facial hair and only clean up the outer edges to reduce the number of stray hairs on their neck or cheeks. Women may want to remove hair from the bikini zone, upper lip, or other body area. Dr. Kong will work closely with you to create an individualized treatment plan to remove the unwanted hair. Imagine finally being free of regular waxing or shaving – the long-term savings can be significant.
What is the Difference Between Laser Hair Removal and IPL?
Both IPL and laser treatments are effective for removing unwanted hair. IPL (intense pulsed light) hair removal uses a different type of light energy, broad spectrum. IPL light is not focused laser light energy and disperses more broadly. Lasers can target deeper than IPL and may be appropriate for certain skin and hair colors.
IPL Hair Removal
IPL hair removal uses broad spectrum visible light that targets the melanin in the hair follicles. The intense light generates heat that damages the follicle, so it can no longer produce hair strands. The device is effective for removing unwanted hair from a larger area.
Laser Hair Removal
If you’re tired of traditional hair removal methods, such as shaving, you may be interested in laser hair removal. Offered by a dermatologist or other qualified and trained expert, laser hair treatments work by stopping the follicles from growing new hairs. For most people, laser hair removal is safe. The procedure also isn’t linked to any long-term side effects.
Still, discussions about the side effects of laser hair removal abound. Although temporary and minor side effects can occur after the procedure, other effects are rare. Beyond that, any claims about links to your long-term health are unfounded.
Here’s what you need to know.
Minor side effects are common
Laser hair removal works by using small, high-heat lasers. The laser may cause temporary side effects immediately after the procedure. Skin irritation and pigmentation changes are the most common side effects.
Redness and irritation
Hair removal via laser can cause temporary irritation. You may also notice slight redness and swelling at the treated area. Still, these effects are minor. They are often the same effects you might notice after other types of hair removal, such as waxing.
Your dermatologist might apply a topical anesthetic before the procedure to minimize these effects.
Overall irritation should disappear within hours of the procedure. Try applying ice packs to help reduce swelling and any pain. You should call your doctor if you experience symptoms beyond slight irritation or if the side effects worsen.
Pigmentation changes
After laser treatment, you may notice slightly darker or lighter skin. If you have light skin, you’re more likely to have darker spots from laser hair removal. The opposite is true of people with dark skin, who may have lighter spots from the procedure. However, like skin irritation, these changes are temporary and aren’t usually a cause for concern.