Why Does Laser Hair Removal Take So Long?
- Posted on: Sep 30 2019
Unwanted hair is a frustrating problem that many people manage daily. Why do this when research clearly shows the value of laser hair removal? One of the objections that people express regarding this method is that, although it is highly effective at achieving long-term results, laser hair removal seems to take a long time. An average course of treatment can take a year or more. Here, we want to discuss why that is.
Understanding Laser Technology
Laser hair removal was first performed in the late 1990s. In its early days, this technique was somewhat limited. Only people with dark hair and relatively fair skin were ideal candidates for laser hair removal. This was because the wavelengths of light that were delivered into the hair follicles targeted the pigment, or melanin, in hair to vaporize strands. The heat generated from the absorption of light into strands of hair also spread out to the walls of individual hair follicles, rendering them incapacitated.
The process that we use today is the same as it always has been. However, the laser devices that we use now are far more sophisticated than what were available 20 years ago. The advances in laser technology have increased the ability we have to treat darker skin and lighter hair tones. However, they haven’t decreased the duration of an average course of treatment.
Why Laser Hair Removal Takes So Long
Laser light only acts on hair that is its active growth phase. As many hairs that are actively growing, there are about as many that are in a resting phase of growth. Those that are resting are deep within the hair follicles and cannot be reached by light. We must wait for these hairs to enter their active growth phase to affect them. For this reason, laser hair removal treatments are scheduled about every 6 to 8 weeks.
If you are considering laser hair removal, it is important to know that some areas of the body may respond better than others. This can differ from one person to another. After the very first treatment, most people notice that their skin stays smooth for several days, weeks even. However, at some point, hair begins to grow back. Subsequent treatments produce progressively better results.
Another important detail about laser hair removal is that some hair may grow back over time. After the initial series of treatments, an annual touchup may be needed to maintain baby-smooth skin.
Start Your Journey Now!
If you’re like most people, you’ve got better things to do than worry about unwanted hair. To learn more about laser hair removal and how it can work for you, schedule a consultation in our Manhattan office. Call 212.391.8600.
Posted in: Laser Procedures