Unwanted hairs, stubborn razor burn, and irritated pigmentation… be GONE. Ever wondered what that would be like?

Smoother, healthier skin of the neck, chin, upper lip, and body is achievable with laser hair reduction. We prefer to use the term “reduction” rather than “removal” to align our patients with realistic expectations. A one-hundred percent removal cannot always be guaranteed, regardless of what other ads may tell you, but we can guarantee your life will be made significantly easier with a reduction series. Laser hair reduction involves the process of using a heat-based laser to attack and destroy unwanted hairs at the root, in turn causing a permanent destruction of that follicle. Permanent destruction is achievable with a series of regular, routine treatments and consistent care, but there are some varying factors that may contribute to new hair growth over time and needed maintenance.

The best part of all of this: the benefits. Beyond just the concept of minimizing hair growth in unwanted regions, there’s so much to appreciate about investing in this service. Let’s compare to the 2 other most popular hair removal methods.

Shaving.

Continued shaving (some of us may shave certain areas as frequently as everyday) can lead to issues such as razor burn, ingrown hairs, and hyperpigmentation from the constant friction and irritation to the area. Not only can this be physically irritating, but maybe visually frustrating and even expensive as we then invest in products that claim to reduce these complaints (shaving cream, special razors, lightening creams, & more). Regardless, the hassle of shaving regularly can be a time-consuming and aggravating task.

Waxing.

Waxing, in many cases, requires the patient to grow the hair out prior to appointments, which can get in the way of our events and activities where we may feel self-conscious about doing so. This method, also, can lead to some of the previously mentioned complaints such as hyperpigmentation and ingrown hairs over time. Not only is waxing typically considered painful and needs to be performed monthly, but it continues to grow back the same over and over again. Realistically, most patients will spend more money on monthly waxing in their lifetime than they would on a 1-year series of laser hair reduction with minimal maintenance afterwards!

Tweezing.

Many patients who pluck their facial hair find themselves with ingrown hairs as it returns. The worst part, though, about tweezing is how time-consuming and pesky the task is in the day-to-day routine. Wouldn’t it be so much nicer to not have to carry that tool around in your purse, peeking in the handheld mirror every time you leave the house? We sure think so!

Instead:

At Edgebrook Dermatology, we use CynoSure’s Elite iQ laser. This laser provides faster and safer results than any previous lasers used. It’s also known to feel more comfortable than some other lasers—in some areas, it can feel more sensitive and much like a hot rubber-band snap sensation, but in other areas, it’s completely painless. Typically, the thinner the skin and the thicker the hair, the more tender it may feel.

How the laser performs is by searching for unwanted, deeply pigmented hairs, such as a medium brown to black. Unfortunately, blonde, white, gray, and even strawberry-colored hairs aren’t easily detected by lasers, so they aren’t usually treatable. Those darker, peskier hairs (which are usually the ones bothering us anyway) are most effectively treated. The more contrast between the hair color and the skin, the easier job the laser has, but this innovative laser is safe for deeper skin types as well! The laser fires rapidly, allowing for quick treatments and no downtime. Most patients experience slightly tender, inflamed skin immediately after treatment, which subsides by the end of the day if not within hours. Treatments are fast, minimally discomforting, and have little to no side effects.

When targeting hair on the face (such as the chin or upper lip), these treatments need to be repeated once every 4 weeks, and on the body (such as the underarms, legs, or bikini region), once every 6 weeks. It’s important that patients remain on schedule throughout their series of treatments for best results, as the goal is to catch their hairs in their active phase of growth.

How Can I Start?

To receive these treatments, patients must be in their skin’s fairest state (no makeup, sunless tanners, or active tan on the skin). They must discontinue all other hair removal methods, except shaving. If the patient is plucking, bleaching, threading or waxing the hairs, that means the root that we are trying to target has been removed. For effective results, the patient can continue to shave and only shave—which we actually recommend doing the day prior to treatment, then they can continue as needed in between sessions. There are a few other factors we look for in the patient’s lifestyle and medical background that may deem the patient as a qualified or unqualified candidate for treatment, so a consultation is always necessary first.

Even just a few sessions into a patient’s laser hair removal journey, they can expect to experience a slowdown in the growth of the hair, meaning they stop shaving as frequently between sessions. They can expect the thick, coarse hairs to start thinning out—and as this happens, the comfort of the treatment improves, too! Most patients will experience immense satisfaction by the end of their series, with most hairs permanently reduced but some others maybe still holding on (or they’ve just turned into thin, peachy fuzz). Many patients will experience full removal, while others will still require additional treatments depending on hormonal and medical factors or ethnic background.

Feel freer, lighter, and more confident in showing off your skin by starting your laser hair reduction journey NOW. Schedule a COMPLIMENTARY consultation appointment to discuss your interests with a consultant by calling (815) 229-9333 ext. 2 today!