LightSheer™ Diode Laser in Pittsburgh, PA
If you’ve ever shaved your legs and then slid into your bed made up with clean, crisp cotton sheets, you know there’s no feeling like it in the world. It’s so satisfying and soothing to feel the fabric brush against your smooth skin.
Unfortunately, shaving can be time-consuming when you’re in a hurry to leave the house, and inconvenient when you aren’t comfortable wearing your favorite sundress or shorts when you haven’t recently shaved. And waxing requires frequent appointments and upkeep and can be very painful and impossible to endure for some people. Waxing and shaving both can cause ingrown hairs and other skin irritations that look and feel terrible before they heal, and then it’s time to re-shave or re-wax anyway!
Laser hair removal is another option you can consider for getting rid of hair on virtually any area of the body, including your legs, underarms, bikini area, face, back, or chest, and keep that fresh-shaven feeling going in the long-term.
Here’s what you can expect when you start a laser hair removal regimen at Cosmetic Laser Centers in the Pittsburgh and Warrendale, Pennsylvania areas.
What Is Laser Hair Removal? How Does It Work?
Laser hair removal is a non-invasive hair reduction process that effectively eliminates up to 80 percent of hair in treated areas. Remember that the FDA approval for laser hair removal is actually for permanent reduction, not complete removal. You may still see 10 to 20 percent of remaining hair after your final laser session. However, for most people, the remaining hair is not noticeable or bothersome.
At Cosmetic Laser Centers, we use a LightSheer™ diode laser for hair removal. The diode laser puts out a special, concentrated beam of light that targets melanin, the source of color in your hair. The light beam heats the hair and permanently changes the hair follicle, preventing it from regrowing hair in the future. Because your hair grows at different rates, multiple laser hair removal treatments are required to complete the process.
Most people get six to eight sessions, but some people require more or less, depending on their hair growth. The standard time between sessions is four to six weeks, and consistency is important for laser hair removal to be as effective as possible. If you wait too long between sessions, you may see your previously removed hair begin to grow back.
Because the laser targets the melanin in the hair, people with darker colored body hair and fairer skin often see more success with laser hair removal. Lighter colored hair, like blonde, red, or even gray, has less melanin in it, making it more difficult for the laser to target it. Similarly, darker skin contains more melanin, which can interfere with the laser’s ability to focus on the strands of hair.
Before making an appointment for laser hair removal, plan to attend a consultation with one of our providers at Cosmetic Laser Centers to ensure you’re a good candidate for the procedure.
What Does Laser Hair Removal Feel Like?
Most patients report only minor discomfort with laser hair removal and are able to comfortably sit through the procedure without issue. Some people say the laser feels like their skin is being snapped repeatedly with a rubber band, or that there is some mild stinging.
Some areas can feel uncomfortable than others during the laser procedure, such as the more sensitive areas of your face or bikini line. The general consensus, however, is that laser hair removal is less painful than waxing and less annoying than shaving every day or every week for the rest of your life.
Afterward, your skin may feel like you have a mild sunburn, and look red or irritated. This is a normal reaction to the procedure, and there is no reason to be alarmed. The redness will subside within a few hours to a day or two, and you can resume normal activities when this happens. Plan to wait at least a week before shaving again, however.
Do I Need to Prepare Before Laser Hair Removal?
For the most effective laser hair removal treatment possible, you should plan to shave the areas you’re having treated about 24 hours before your appointment. Shaving removes the hair shaft above the surface of your skin, so the laser will target only the portion of the hair that is attached inside the hair follicle. Hair left longer can interfere with the laser’s precision.
Conversely, do not wax prior to laser hair removal. Waxing pulls the hair out at or near the root, and does not leave much, if any, portion of hair for the laser to target. If you must wax, wait at least a week, if not longer, before you attend a laser hair removal session to let your hair grow back in a little bit.
You should avoid the sun prior to your appointment, as you cannot undergo laser hair removal if you have a sunburn, or if you’ve recently applied self-tanning lotions. You can take an over-the-counter pain medication or anti-inflammatory before your laser appointment to make your experience a little more comfortable. Check with your regular medical doctor for advice on what you can take.
Where Can I Find Laser Hair Removal Near Me?
Laser hair removal is technically a medical procedure. You don’t want just anyone wielding a laser against your skin, just like you don’t want to use just any laser! You should always seek out a skilled professional for laser hair removal services and never purchase a home laser kit, which can be an ineffective waste of money, or worse, damage your skin.
The medical providers at Cosmetic Laser Centers, with two locations in Pittsburgh, PA, and Warrendale, PA, are specially trained to use the LightSheer™ diode laser for hair removal and have years of experience in helping people feel more confident and comfortable about their body hair growth.
We are currently taking appointments for laser hair removal at either location. Call 724-935-4200 to get started today. Visit us online at cosmeticlasercenters.com.