How Does Laser Hair Removal Work?

September 12, 2022 | By:Tiam Spa

Laser hair removal is an FDA-approved, non-surgical procedure that uses a hand-held medical-grade laser device to remove unwanted hair from a person’s body and face.

It works by targeting individual hair follicles with highly concentrated light, destroying the follicle and preventing hair from growing back.  

Depending on the person and the area of the body being treated, 6-10 sessions are usually required to achieve full, lasting results.

Read on to find out more about laser hair removal and to see if it’s the right procedure for you!

Is laser hair removal painful?

Our laser hair removal machine is painless compared to the laser machines used by other medical spas. An amazing feature of our machine is a cooling setting, which minimizes discomfort by cooling the area being treated. 

Is laser hair removal permanent?

While the laser works to remove hair by destroying the hair follicle itself, it’s possible that new follicles will grow in place after some time. 

The amount of time this takes depends on the person. Some people can see hairless results for multiple years, and some may see hair growing back after only a year. 

While the hair may grow back eventually, it will be much thinner and lighter in color, requiring fewer maintenance sessions. 

Who is laser hair removal for?

Laser hair removal is for anyone who wishes to get rid of unwanted hair from their face or body. 

While the treatment works best on areas where the skin is lighter, and the hair is darker, the technology we use is more advanced, and it is suitable for all skin types.

During your free phone consultation with one of our specialists, we will let you know if you are an ideal candidate for laser hair removal and what you can expect from it.

Why choose laser hair removal over other techniques? 

Laser hair removal is one of the most popular non-surgical procedures performed in the United States, according to the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery. 

You may be wondering what makes this procedure so popular. We can easily name many reasons why people choose laser hair removal over other types of hair removal procedures, and we’ve listed a few for you:

1. It’s safe

Laser hair removal has been tested on people since the 1960s and has been FDA-approved since 1995. When performed by a licensed professional, risk of side effects is very minimal.

2. It’s efficient

Laser hair removal reduces the appearance of hair and limits the regrowth of hair better than any other hair removal technique, making the procedure highly effective.

3. It’s long-lasting

Most people can expect their results from laser hair removal to last for many years, requiring only maintenance sessions once every 1-3 years. 

Other hair removal techniques only produce results that last from a few days to weeks. 

4. It’s cost-effective

 Because laser hair removal requires just a few sessions with very few ongoing maintenance sessions, it is more cost-effective than other methods, such as waxing or investing in at-home solutions that don’t work.

5. It has little to no side effects

 Side effects, if they do occur, are usually minimal and can include redness, swelling, and stinging but tend to disappear within a few hours to days.

After that, the only side effect you can expect is the one you want (loss of hair!)

6. It treats ingrown hairs

While other hair removal techniques can irritate or even cause ingrown hairs, laser hair removal can fully remove them, so you never have to worry about them again.

What happens during a laser hair removal treatment?

You will first meet with one of our licensed professionals for a free phone consultation where we will evaluate the problem area and let you know if laser hair removal is right for you. If it is, we will then guide you through the process and book your first appointment.

Before your session

You will receive instructions that you must follow before you come in for your sessions. These may include:

  • Stop plucking and waxing the area
  • Shave the area 24-48 hours before your session
  • Avoid sun exposure
  • Stop bleaching the hair
  • Check your current medications for any adverse reactions
  • Remove any makeups, creams, or lotions

During your session

At Tiam Spa, will make your laser hair removal sessions as quick and as pleasing as possible. 

These are the steps you can expect during your laser hair removal treatment:

  • During each laser hair removal session, you will be made comfortable in a beautiful, private treatment room and provided with protective eyewear. 
  • An ice pack will be provided to you during your treatment session to reduce discomfort
  • We will first test the laser on a small area of your skin to ensure you don’t have an adverse reaction. If the test is successful, we will then proceed to perform the procedure.

The amount of time each session takes will depend on the amount of hair being treated and its thickness. Most sessions will take about an hour or less. 

After your session

After your treatment, you will be offered our epidermal cream – an antiinflammatory cream to soothe and calm the skin, and your hair removal expert will provide you with instructions that you should follow for the next few days to reduce the risk of side effects. 

We will also book your next session if needed.

Where can I have laser hair removal done on my body?

Laser hair removal works best on pigmented hair. Areas with blond, gray, or white hair may not respond well to laser treatment. 

The best results are achieved when the hair is dark, and the skin is lighter. Therefore, some areas of the body are more eligible for laser treatment than others.

These are some of the most common areas people receive laser hair removal treatments:

  • Back
  • Legs
  • Upper lip
  • Chest
  • Chin
  • Face
  • Brazilian
  • Neck 

Not only is laser hair removal the most popular hair removal method, it’s also safe, efficient, and cost-effective. Contact us today to ask about setting up your free laser hair removal consultation and start your journey to smoother, hair-free skin! 

Tiam Spa