Is there a person alive who actually enjoys shaving? Or waxing or tweezing, for that matter? Probably not, especially since many experience razor burn and the itch of hair regrowth, which can be deeply unpleasant for those who have sensitive skin. Luckily, the experts at Anazao MD in Steamboat Springs, CO know the best method for avoiding shaving are laser hair reduction treatments, your long-lasting solution for dealing with troublesome body hair.

Is Laser Hair Reduction Permanent?

Yes and no. While laser hair removal will certainly reduce your amount of hair growth and significantly slow that hair growth down, you will find that hair will grow back after a time, particularly if you skip maintenance appointments. The point of laser reduction is to overall reduce the thickness and quantity of hair, which will be a long-lasting result for as long as you continue your maintenance treatments.

How Many Treatments Will You Need for Results?

To reach your aesthetic goals, you will require several laser hair removal treatments. Most patients require about six to eight treatments spaced three to four weeks apart to achieve optimal goals. Of course, the number of treatments you will need depends greatly on the thickness of your hair, the amount of hair you are treating, and the number of treatment areas. These are all factors that will determine the appropriate number of treatments to reduce your hair growth.

How Frequently Will You Need Maintenance Treatments?

Although your first round of treatments will take place very closely together, your maintenance treatments will be more spaced apart. For example, most patients only need annual or bi-annual maintenance appointments to keep the results of their treatments. This means you may only need touch-up appointments once every six to 12 months to keep your amount of hair growth reduced.

What Happens if You Miss a Treatment?

If you miss one of your initial treatments, then nothing will happen – and by that, we mean that your results will not happen as desired. It’s very important you keep up with your initial round of monthly treatments if you want to have long-lasting hair reduction results. Skipping even one treatment will put you back at square one and prolong your hair reduction process.

How Long Until You Can See Results?

For most people, it takes several weeks to start seeing the desired results, usually between four and six appointments. This could mean you won’t see any significant results reduction results from your treatment for up to four months.

However, you will be able to see initial results in the days following each of your appointments. This is usually evident by hair falling out as it is pushed out of the skin by the damaged follicle. While this may seem like the intended result you want, be aware that these are not true results until after several appointments have passed.

What Can Laser Hair Reduction Help With?

Laser hair reduction treatments have a single goal – to reduce the amount of hair that is grown on your body. While reduction and removal are used interchangeably, it’s important to note that all laser treatments for this purpose are truly intended to reduce the overall amount of hair that is grown, not to permanently remove the hair.

You can use this treatment on virtually every area of the body. Hair reduction treatments are commonly used on the:

• Face
• Chest
• Underarms
• Forearms
• Stomach
• Back
• Thighs
• Legs
• Bikini area

Because this treatment is so versatile, the sky is the limit for how many areas you can use this treatment on at each appointment. You should know, however, that the more areas you treat at one time, the longer your appointment will be.

What System Do We Use?

At our clinic, we use the Icon system, which is an ideal hair reduction treatment that combines the power of light and laser energy to reduce hair growth all over the body. We prefer this system to others due to the fact that it’s an ideal treatment for both larger areas of the body and small areas, which allows a more dynamic treatment approach for patients who want to treat multiple areas.

How Does the Treatment Work?

Like any other laser treatment for hair reduction, the basic principle behind this system is directing thermal energy to hair follicles to create controlled damage. When the hair follicle is damaged enough, it will automatically cease hair growth until it’s repaired, which can take several months after repeated damage from this laser treatment.

Does Laser Hair Reduction Hurt?

No, this treatment does not hurt. Some patients report feeling a warming sensation on their skin during the treatment, but the treatment itself is far from uncomfortable. For patients who have more sensitive skin, the sensation of this treatment is compared to a snap of a rubber band or a cat scratch, so if you are sensitive to pain, you may want to prepare for your treatment by taking an OTC pain reliever, such as Tylenol.

Will You Need a Consultation?

Yes! Particularly for your first round of treatments, you will require a consultation so you and your aesthetician can be on the same page. We will go over your treatment goals and expectations, as well as examine the body hair you intend to remove. Your consultation allows us to gauge your hair type and give you an estimate of how many treatments will be required to achieve your desired results.

How Can You Prepare for Treatment?

There are actually a few things you will need to do to prepare for your treatment. We will provide you with guidelines to guide you through your preparation, which will include directions such as:

• Shave all treatment areas
• Do not drink alcohol for 24 hours
• Avoid tanning beds and direct sunlight for 14 days
• Do not wax or tweeze
• Do not use chemical exfoliants
• Avoid Retinol on the treatment area

If you have a current skin breakout, such as eczema, psoriasis, or a cold sore on the day of your appointment, please reschedule. This directive applies even if the area that is meant to be treated is not having a breakout. You will not need to arrange for transportation after your appointment is complete.

What Should You Do After Treatment?

There are also somethings you will need to do after your treatment, particularly while your skin is still vulnerable from the treatment. For example, we encourage patients to wear breathable, loose-fitting clothing on their appointment days. Other aftercare instructions may involve:

• Do not use chemical exfoliants
• No scrubbing the skin
• Avoid direct sunlight and tanning beds
• Do not use hot water, saunas, or hot tubs
• Always apply SPF 30+ sunblock

We may provide you with other aftercare instructions, such as how to use cold compresses to soothe any minor skin irritation or sensitivity after your treatment. You will also be encouraged to regularly use moisturizers after your treatment.

Why Should You Consider Laser Hair Reduction?

There are plenty of reasons why people consider hair reduction treatments. For example, the prospect of never having to buy a razor again is one that is exciting for many people, particularly those who have fast hair growth due to hormonal fluctuations. Other reasons to consider this treatment include:

Save Time and Money

Shaving can take a lot of time out of your schedule, and so can waxing and tweezing. For instance, there are some women who shave once every three days just to stay on top of hair growth, which inevitably means spending more money on razors and shaving cream. For those who wax, frequent wax treatments every month can swiftly add up.

Simplify Hygiene Routine

Hair reduction treatments also simplify your overall hygiene routine, for both men and women. In addition to saving time, it’s also easier to keep your skin clean and supple when hair growth is not blocking moisturizers and skin actives from working on your skin.

Eliminate Skin Irritation

One of the worst parts of traditional hair removal methods – shaving, waxing, and tweezing – is the skin irritation that follows. Traditional hair removal methods make it very easy for the skin to become red, itchy, or bumpy, which can be very uncomfortable for those who have highly reactive skin. Laser treatments eliminate even the possibility of skin irritation.

Avoid Ingrown Hairs

If you have frequent ingrown hairs from other hair removal treatments, then you should be happy to learn that laser treatments for hair reduction also help you avoid ingrown hairs. An ingrown hair is one that sprouts from the follicle in the wrong direction or at the wrong angle, which inflames the skin around the follicle. However, because laser and light energy damage the follicle, any new hair that eventually grows from the follicle will be straightened out.

Reduce Hair Thickness

Reducing hair thickness is particularly important for those who grow a significant amount of hair on the back, chest, and stomach, as well as on the forearms and legs. This treatment can decrease the thickness of hair regrowth, which ultimately makes it easier to take care of your body.

Have Smoother Skin

One of the perks of this treatment is the fact that the light and laser energy also has the ability to smooth the surface texture of your skin, as well as eliminate any superficial skin concerns, such as dark spots or hyperpigmentation.

Is This Treatment Safe for All Skin Tones?

Yes! It’s sometimes the case that laser treatments are not compatible with people who have medium to dark complexions, largely due to the increased risk of pigmentation concerns. However, this light and laser treatment for hair reduction specifically targets only the hair follicle, which decreases the risk of affecting the surrounding skin and makes this treatment a viable option for those with deeper complexions.

Is There a Best Time for Treatment?

Yes. Because it’s important to avoid direct sunlight after this treatment for the sake of your skin, it’s generally advisable to seek this treatment during the fall and winter months to minimize the risk of sun exposure. Having your initial round of treatments during the time of the year when there is less sun makes your overall recovery efforts easier to manage.

Who Are Ideal Candidates?

Ideal candidates for this laser treatment include any woman or man who would like to reduce body hair growth. Whether you only have one area of the body you would like to treat, or whether you have multiple areas, this treatment is likely right for you. We determine patient qualification during the consultation appointment.

Reduce Your Body Hair With Laser Hair Reduction!

Shaving isn’t anyone’s idea of a good time – but the good news is that, with the right treatment, you might not ever have to shave, wax, or tweeze again. It’s time to regain control over your hair growth and feel more confident about your appearance. To schedule your consultation appointment, call Anazao MD in Steamboat Springs, CO today!