© United Shades of Skin 2023
Laser hair removal works by dismantling the blood supply to the hair follicle, causing enough damage to the follicle to prevent future hair growth, ranging from months to years. The laser does this by a process called selective photothermolysis.
This means that the laser has one specific target that it’s going after, and ignores everything else. In the case of hair removal, the laser is passing through the skin and targeting the melanin at the base of the hair follicle (called the bulb).
This concentrated beam of energy is absorbed and creates a thermal injury which cauterizes or damages the blood supply which allows the hair to grow. In other words, the food supply to the hair is cut off, causing it to “die”.
It can be performed on just about any area of the face or body. Many patients enjoy the precision of facial hair removal, especially for areas like the upper lip, chin, or cleaning up the hairline.
Just as the name implies, the GentleMax Pro is gentle and virtually painless laser hair removal! The system has a sapphire chilled tip that cools and provides comfort at all times during the treatment — before, during, and after each pulse of energy. You can expect to feel a mild snapping sensation, but it is completely tolerable. Slightly more sensitive areas like the upper lip, bikini, underarm, and chest may experience stronger sensation.
There is no downtime after laser removal, but we advise against activities that draw heat and/or sweat to the skin for the first 24 hours after treatment, including exercise, hot tubs, tanning or sun exposure, saunas, hot showers or baths, etc.
The average number of sessions required is 6-8 treatments to see significant results. However, more treatments may be required for more reduction, or maintenance, especially in the case of areas with thicker or faster growth, or for male patients due to hormones.
Our hair growth works on a cycle of three phases. The hair grows, rests, then falls out. Laser hair removal only works effectively on hair that is in the active growth phase, because that is when it is connected fully to the blood supply. At any given time, only approximately 20% of the hairs that you can see are in this phase at once, so each treatment of laser hair removal is targeting up to 20% of hair, which means you have to come back with each new cycle to capture it in the correct stage.
Anyone seeking softer, smoother, hair-free skin, without dealing with unsightly and uncomfortable skin irritation and ingrown hairs, will find that laser hair removal is an ideal solution. When it comes to safety for skin types, with the GentleMax Pro system, we are able to treat all skin types.
For best outcomes, it is ideal for the hair to be darker than the skin tone, because the laser darkest the dark pigment at the base of the hair follicle. Because of this, white, grey, blonde, or auburn hairs are not easily or effectively treatable in most cases.
Laser hair removal comes with many benefits, but the reasons that each individual chooses to undergo laser based hair removal can vary. Many patients enjoy the benefit of reducing the amount of time managing body hair by methods like shaving or waxing. It may also help to reduce irritation like razor bumps and ingrown hairs.
Over time, laser removal is also the most cost effective and quickest method of hair removal with the longest lasting results. While it may cost more upfront compared to methods like shaving or waxing, when you average time and costs over a lifetime, laser removal is the best option.
After 6 Treatments
After 6 Treatments
© United Shades of Skin 2023
