Laser Hair Removal in Chester County

When we use a laser to remove hair follicles, we are directing high-energy light into the follicles. This energy is so powerful that it destroys hair follicles. It is critical to understand that not all hair follicles will be destroyed during a single laser treatment session, though.

This is because hair follicles alternate between active and resting growth phases. Certain physical properties of hair follicles in their most active growth phase make them especially vulnerable to the laser’s damaging effects.

Laser treatment can eliminate about 20% of hair follicles in most people during a single treatment session. This means that after just one treatment, you should notice a reduction in the number of hair follicles growing in the treated area.

Most people want to drastically reduce or eliminate unwanted hair follicles. As a result, most clients will require multiple laser treatment sessions. Most fair to medium skinned people with dark hair follicles will require 6 to 12 treatments or more to achieve the best results.

Individuals with medium to dark skin will most likely require more treatments. The treatment’s heat will be felt by the client as a sting, similar to a rubber band snapping against the skin. Medium to dark skin will react more strongly to the laser, necessitating a slower, more gentle approach for comfort and safety.

Hair grows through three stages: anagen, catagen, and telogen. Lasers can destroy hair follicles that are in the early stages of the Anagen phase. While you may notice hundreds or thousands of hairs growing in an area, such as the legs, face, underarm, or back, only a portion of those hairs are in the Anagen phase of growth.

All of the hairs will be addressed as the laser is applied to the treatment area. The laser’s light is absorbed by the melanin in the hair, creating heat and damaging the hairs that happen to be in the Anagen growth phase when treated.

However, only those in the anagen phase are vulnerable to the laser’s damaging effects. Hairs growing in other stages may be burned or damaged to some extent, resulting in finer or slower growth but not elimination.

As a result, a series of treatments should be used for those who want a more thorough removal of hair in a treatment area. When the treatments are spaced 6 weeks or more apart, several “batches” of hairs will be caught in the critical Anagen phase when the treatment is performed.

During the treatment, you will typically feel a stinging or snapping sensation where the laser is applied. Each of these sensations only lasts a fraction of a second. Your skin will turn pink or reddish and become sensitive to touch, and you will most likely notice perifollicular edema—or swelling—at the base of each hair. This will look like a swarm of tiny mosquito bites and will usually go away within 20 minutes to 2 hours, but can last for up to a day or two.

The treated hairs will turn burnt, ashen, or even gummy before breaking apart and being shed by your skin. As this occurs, you will notice hairs just beneath the skin’s surface working their way out. This appearance has been described as “peppery,” as if tiny black flakes of pepper were flecked on the skin. This is completely normal and will go away in a few days to a few weeks. Some people are bothered by this and try to remove the hair with a loofah or scrub, but it’s best to leave it alone. Your body will naturally expel this material.

We adjust your treatment settings at Bella Medspa at each visit in order to provide the most effective treatment. Each time you come in for a session, we will ask if you have recently been exposed to the sun, if you are taking any medications that may increase your photosensitivity, and how your results are progressing so far. In addition, we will inquire about any side effects you may have experienced since your last visit. The answers you provide will assist us in tailoring your treatments to provide the best possible care.

Laser hair removal is safe for mostly everyone, regardless of skin tone or hair color. However, the procedure is typically most effective for light-skinned individuals with dark hair.

Those with active infections or recently tanned skin should not undergo the procedure. The best way to assess your candidacy is by meeting with a skilled laser hair removal provider. They can evaluate your hair and determine how it will respond to the treatment.

For two weeks prior to treatment, you should not wax, tweeze, bleach, or use depilatories. Tetracyclines, Zithromax, and St. John’s Wort should not be used within two weeks of treatment. There shouldn’t be any Accutane use for six months prior to treatment either.

Avoid glycolics and Retin-A for three days before treatment (only in the treatment area). Finally, before arriving for your appointment, the treatment area(s) should be free of lotions, make-up, deodorant, and other topical applications.

After your laser hair removal treatment, your skin will be pink or red and may appear puffy for up to 24 hours. For several hours, you may feel a slight stinging or itching sensation.

For the first two weeks after treatment, avoid exposing the treated area to the sun for extended periods of time. SPF 30 sunblock should be applied to treated areas that must be exposed to the sun for at least the first four weeks.

For at least 48 hours after your treatment, avoid using irritating skin products on the treated area. Within 14 days, the hairs will fall out and/or dissipate on their own.

Follow-up appointments should be spaced at least 6 weeks apart.