On average, you will spend over one full month on removing unwanted hair throughout your life. That is why Palo Alto Laser and Skin Care offers one of the largest suites of laser and energy devices for laser hair reduction in the Bay Area. We are much more than a medical day spa. Home to leading experts like Zuzana Likar, an expert who trains her staff to the highest standards of laser and energy technologies, this is where you will find the best devices to reduce your unwanted hair.
Complimentary consultations are available for all treatments, including laser hair reduction. Please note that there is no laser or energy device that is capable of removing all unwanted hair. The only way to permanently remove all hair is through electrolysis, a painful, very long, and costly process. The vast majority of people opt for laser hair reduction rather than electrolysis because in many cases the hair can be reduced to such a degree that shaving or waxing is no longer necessary.
What to Expect with Laser Hair Reduction
There are many lasers that might be best suited to you and your laser hair reduction needs. The exact device is going to depend on your goals, the color of the hair, and your skin tone. No matter which laser hair reduction device (or devices) are selected, clients will need more than one session. The exact number of sessions will also depend on multiple factors, but around six treatments is the average.
You will start to see results after just one treatment. However, the visible hair that is being treated will not instantly fall away. Instead, you will start to notice a reduction in hair growth in the weeks and months following the treatments. Most clients opt for laser hair reduction sessions every month or so, making it an easy procedure to squeeze into your schedule.
Laser Hair Reduction 101
Laser hair reduction utilizes a concentrated light beam (or laser) to remove the hair. During treatment, a light is emitted that is instantly absorbed by the pigment in the hair. The energy turns into heat, which harms the hair follicles and encourages them to stop producing hair. This inhibits growth sometimes for life and sometimes for several months or years. Again, this is why lasers and light devices can drastically reduce hair growth, but not guarantee that it will eliminate hairs forever.
Laser hair reduction typically works best on those with light skin and dark hair, but we have lasers that have been proven to be effective on all skin and hair types. Please keep in mind that future maintenance sessions are often desired in order to sustain results. Laser hair reduction can be used virtually anywhere on the body including the face, arms, legs, groin area, back, and toes/feet.
Get the Best Results with Laser Hair Reduction
There are some things you can do prior to your laser hair reduction treatment to ensure the best results. For example, staying out of the sun is key. Minimizing sun exposure is true for anyone, but undergoing laser hair reduction can serve as a great reminder. You should also avoid lightening your skin before, during, and after your treatments. Other hair removal methods that work from the root, from plucking to waxing, should be avoided at least four weeks before your first treatment. It’s recommended to trim or shave the day before your treatment as this method leaves the hair shaft intact.
Most clients want to know what laser hair reduction feels like, but there is no singular answer. Many people describe it as feeling like a hot rubber band snapping against the skin. For those with sensitive skin (or who are being treated in sensitive areas) a numbing agent can be used to optimize comfort. However, it is widely agreed that any laser hair reduction treatment is much less painful and faster than electrolysis.
Schedule Your Laser Hair Reduction
Although you may see some results after your first treatment, laser hair reduction takes time. Right now is the perfect time to start since the final results will be apparent in time for summer. Schedule your complimentary consultation for laser hair reduction by calling Palo Alto Laser and Skin Care at (408) 688-2082 or completing the online form.