For the people out there with unwanted hair, removing it can be a constant and time-consuming cycle. Whether you shave, wax, or tweeze, it can be an annoying hassle. Our team at RefineU MedSpa in Oklahoma City, OK, is pleased to offer laser hair removal to help you in your battle against unwanted hair. This treatment can permanently reduce or completely eliminate hair growth, keeping your skin smooth and your hair maintenance so much easier.
What’s the Best Age To Get Laser Hair Removal?
A Great Treatment for a Range of Ages
Part of what makes laser hair removal so versatile is its ability to be effective for a wide range of ages. It can permanently reduce hair for young and senior patients alike. If you have unwanted hair, this treatment could be a good fit for you regardless of age.
The most important thing is to come in for a consultation so we can go over your needs. We can take a look at your hair type and skin condition as we determine whether this treatment is the right match.
Can Teenagers Get Laser Hair Treatments?
This treatment is considered very safe, and it’s pretty common for teenagers to look into it. If your teenager is looking into getting laser treatments for their hair, there are some things to keep in mind.
First, it may be a good idea for a female patient to wait for this treatment until she’s begun her menstrual cycle. Hormonal shifts can contribute to hair growth, so waiting may help the treatment be more effective. In general, teenagers 14 years old or older may find this treatment to be a good option for them.
What To Expect During Treatment
One common question patients have is how long the treatment process takes. This mainly depends on the area you’d like treated. If you’re treating stray hairs around your chin or upper lip, you could be done in about five minutes. Larger areas like the legs may take between 30 to 45 minutes.
Individual factors can also contribute to how long the treatment process takes. After we get an idea of what you’re looking for, we’ll be able to give you a more specific time frame. Many patients who are having a larger area treated will listen to their favorite audiobook or music to pass the time.
How It Works
The treatment is administered through a handheld device. We will target the areas you want to be treated with laser energy, which will damage the hair follicles. As hair follicles absorb this energy it drastically reduces or completely eliminates their ability to grow new hair. That’s why if you do experience some hair growth afterward, it’s expected to be both thinner and grow much slower.
Quick Results
After the treatment, many patients will be able to notice a reduction in their hair growth very quickly. Over the next few days or weeks, you may notice dead hairs from the treated area falling out. While it’s true that a single treatment can certainly provide noticeable results, for a more thorough and lasting outcome, a treatment series is usually the way to go.
Why Would I Need a Treatment Series?
The human body has a whole lot of hair follicles, and we want to make sure you’re getting quality results. Multiple treatments will help us be thorough. We’ll be able to make sure we haven’t missed any follicles in the area, as well as re-treat any follicles that need it.
Deciding how many treatments you need will be easier to do after a consultation, but most patients can expect a treatment series to include somewhere between four to eight sessions. Some patients, especially those who are treating small areas, may require fewer treatments. Other patients may benefit from a few more, depending on their needs. Throughout the process we will work with you to both meet your needs and fit your treatments into your schedule.
Is This Treatment Worth It?
Once you’ve completed your treatment series, you get to enjoy clear, smooth skin for the long run. Permanent hair reduction or elimination is the result of this treatment. Even patients who still have occasional hair growth should find it to be very light and infrequent.
During major hormonal shifts or life changes, some patients may find a touch-up treatment to be helpful. Other than that, getting to enjoy smooth skin and a lot of saved time is definitely worthwhile for a wide range of people.
What Areas Do We Treat?
If you have a specific area you’d like treated and you don’t see it listed below, feel free to ask us about it! Most areas can be treated, but either way, we would be happy to confirm it with you. Listed below are some of the most popular treatment areas.
Arms
Patients with thick hair growth on their arms may want to either thin out or completely remove this hair. Laser treatment can be a great way to do that.
Underarms
This is a very common place to either shave or wax, making it a popular area to treat with laser hair removal.
Chest
Patients of any gender may have chest hair that they want to thin out or get rid of.
Legs
Treating the legs can save patients a lot of time on hair maintenance. Laser treatment means you can enjoy smooth skin and feel ready for anything at any time.
Bikini Area
Want to be beach-ready at a moment’s notice? Having the bikini area treated can enable patients to be more spontaneous instead of worrying about squeezing in a shave before they head out.
A Closer Look at the Benefits
Saved Time
Regardless of how you currently remove your unwanted hair, receiving laser hair treatment can save you a significant amount of time. If you shave, you already know how long that daily process can take.
Waxing may last longer, but the process of waxing at home still involves prep time to get all your materials ready. If you get waxed professionally, you have to take time on a consistent basis to set up the appointment, get there, get waxed, and get back home. On the other hand, once your laser treatment is done your hair maintenance should be a breeze.
No Shaving
Shaving can be a time-leech, but rushing through the process can mean you end up with razor burn, a cut, or a missed patch of hair. Even when you take your time, ingrown hairs are a common side effect of shaving. They can even show up after waxing if the waxing isn’t done properly. Ingrown hairs tend to be painful. These little red bumps can become irritated as they rub against clothing. They can also get infected.
Laser treatments target the root of your hair. This means it can be used to both prevent ingrown hairs, and even treat them. Laser treatments also tend to offer smoother results when compared to shaving. Shaving only offers smooth results for about a day before the stubble returns, while a laser treatment can give you smooth skin that lasts.
Environmental Factors
Laser hair removal can save time and frustration, but there could be environmental reasons to make the switch too. Many patients use disposable razors. It’s believed that billions of these razors could be thrown out each year in the USA alone. That’s a lot of plastic going into landfills, or potentially ending up in our oceans. Plastic eventually breaks down, but it doesn’t decompose. Unfortunately, that means these razors could eventually contribute to microplastics polluting our waters.
From cradle to grave, these razors involve manufacturing, packaging, and disposal that aren’t too good for the planet as a whole. Changing the way we manage our unwanted hair could help make a positive change for the environment.
Safety
Lasers are designed to be effective against hair follicles while being safe and gentle for the surrounding skin. Waxing, when done professionally, is also designed to be a safe process. That said, there are some risks involved when dealing with hot wax.
If you wax at home, you have to be very careful not to put yourself at risk for wax burns. These burns can be very painful. Depending on the severity, they could take a while to heal or even require a visit to your doctor. Infections from shaving can range from mild to severe. Keeping everything clean is a good preventative, but infection is still a possibility. Laser removal means you won’t have to worry about these factors anymore.
Precision
The laser will only alter the treated follicles. It won’t damage any hair growth in other locations. Our device gives us the ability to carry out this treatment with professional precision.
Bid Farewell to Unwanted Hair
Our experienced team is ready to meet with you and go over any questions you may have. We’re passionate about what we do, and want to help you find the right treatment. Contact our team at RefineU MedSpa in Oklahoma City, OK, today to set up your consultation and get one step closer to your aesthetic goals.
