Are you bothered by visible facial or body hair? You’ve likely heard that laser hair removal can be a permanent solution. But is laser-based hair removal safe, right for you, and worth the investment of time and money? Here at our Fort Worth med spa, we’ve helped many men and women consider the best ways to remove unwanted hair, and today we’re answering some of your most common questions about laser hair removal.
How does laser hair removal work?
Laser hair removal works by applying a high energy laser beam of light to areas of unwanted hair. Your hair’s pigment absorbs the concentrated laser beam, damaging active hair follicles and preventing treated hair from growing back.
Is laser hair removal permanent?
For most patients, laser hair removal is a permanent solution to their unwanted body and facial hair. However, hair growth is cyclical, and laser hair removal can only treat hair follicles that are in their active phase. Dormant, or sleeping, hair is not treated until it becomes active again and starts growing. Dormant hair may be active again by the time your next treatment rolls around, which is why we recommend specific treatment intervals – to try to treat as much actively growing hair as possible.
To ensure you get the best results from your laser hair removal procedure, always choose an experienced specialist who can match the appropriate laser type and depth to your skin and hair type, and one who will take your medical history into consideration prior to your treatment.
For some patients, a few initial laser treatments will meet their goals; however, for many a series of treatments is needed to keep the hair in treated areas from growing back. Depending on the area you’re treating, a series will consist of 4 to 8 sessions, each scheduled about 4-6 weeks apart.
Will my hair grow back? What could make my hair regrow?
Most patients who have completed the recommended series of treatments find they do not have issues with noticeable hair regrowth. That said, there are a few things that could make your hair grow back, including:
- Changes in hormones
- Certain medications
- Genetics
The good news is that if hair does grow back following treatment, it tends to be lighter and finer, and, therefore, less noticeable. To ensure you get the best results from your laser hair removal procedure, always choose an experienced specialist who can match the appropriate laser type and depth to your skin and hair type, and one who will take your medical history into consideration prior to your treatment.
Can I get laser hair removal if I have a tattoo?
The short answer to this question is “no,” because the laser has difficulty differentiating between the pigment in your hair and the pigment in some tattoo inks. Laser hair removal can be done around your tattoos, just not over them. If laser hair removal is done over your tattoo, it could damage the skin in that area or affect the appearance of your tattoo. If you have tattoos and are interested in laser hair removal, we would be happy to discuss options with you.
Can guys get laser hair removal, too?
Laser hair removal works great for both women and men. While women tend to get laser hair removal on their upper lip and face, underarms, bikini area, legs, back, and chest, guys typically like to remove hair from their chest, back, stomach, neck, groin, buttocks, and in between their eyebrows.
Besides avoiding painful waxing, one of the biggest benefits of laser hair removal is the elimination of ingrown hair problems. Guys, this means you can have smooth, touchable skin without pesky red bumps.
Can I get laser hair removal if I have darker skin?
Since the laser is absorbed by the pigment in your hair and not your skin, laser hair removal is most effective in patients who have visible contrast between their hair and skin colors. That said, technological advances have made it so that people with darker skin can successfully get laser hair removal. At Kalos Medical Spa, our highly customizable Candela GentleMax Pro can treat all skin and hair types; however, to optimize your results we still recommend avoiding all forms of tanning before treatment.
How much does laser hair removal cost?
Treating small areas such as the upper lip can cost less than $100 per session, while larger areas, like the back or legs, may cost closer to $300-$400 per session. However, accurate fees for laser hair removal cannot be provided without a personal consultation. This is because your laser hair removal plan and costs will depend on variables including the density of your hair growth and the degree of contrast between your hair and skin. These variables will determine the number of treatments you will need, and, therefore, any prices quoted to patients sight-unseen are unlikely to be accurate.
While we all like low prices, it’s important you don’t shop laser hair removal by price alone. Experienced laser professionals using advanced laser technology offer a fair price for delivering medically sound care. Overly discounted pricing can be a sign that a facility is using outdated technology or isn’t hiring properly trained technicians. At Kalos Medical Spa, we use the highly advanced Candela GentleMax Pro laser, and all hair removal treatments are performed by Laser Professionals licensed by the State of Texas, working under the supervision of board certified plastic surgeon, Dr. Emily Kirby.
The takeaway: Is laser hair removal worth it?
To recap, laser hair removal is for anyone who wants to permanently remove facial or body hair and say goodbye to shaving, waxing, and hair removal topicals forever. Laser hair removal may be “worth it” for you if:
- You can handle mild discomfort. Treatments aren’t always comfortable even with the use of numbing cream; that said, most patients find it far less painful than waxing. If you’re worried about discomfort, ask about our other options to help.
- You are sure you want to permanently remove hair from an area. The beauty of the treatment is that once the hair is gone, it doesn’t come back!
- You are tired of traditional hair removal techniques, and tired of razor burn and ingrown hairs.
- You want to invest in your future wellbeing. In the short-term, laser hair removal costs more than other methods, but you’re certain to save on total costs longer term (not to mention the time savings).
- You don’t want to worry about whether or not you shaved. It’s a great way to feel worry-free because you’ll always be ready to pop on a bathing suit or cozy up with your sweetheart.
- You have visible contrast between your hair and skin. Laser hair removal works best for those who have a noticeable difference between their skin and hair color. With the right laser, laser hair removal can be very effective for almost any skin and hair types; just be sure to choose a laser professional who has experience treating people with your skin and hair color.
If you nodded “yes” to all of the above, it is likely that laser hair removal will be 100% worth it for you!
For laser hair removal in Fort Worth, contact Dr. Kirby
Under the supervision of board-certified female plastic surgeon, Dr. Emily Kirby, the licensed Laser Hair Removal Professionals at Kalos MedSpa in Fort Worth can remove unwanted hair safely and effectively from nearly any area of the face or body for both men and women. We use the most advanced laser hair removal technology to treat larger areas of the body faster and more consistently, and offer easy financing options to make treatments more accessible. Contact us online or by calling (817) 292-4200 to say goodbye to unwanted hair forever.