Forget the Razor – Hello Laser! The Ultimate Guide to Laser Hair Removal
Razors: they’re expensive, they break, cause razor burn, and they almost always nick the kneecap!
Plucking is just plain time-consuming and a royal pain in the derriere.
And waxing? Don’t even start on the expense, pain and upkeep of that process.
It’s madness, right?!
There’s got to be a better way.
Do away with the medieval methods of shaving, plucking and waxing, and say hello to a safe and super-effective alternative for removing unwanted body hair for good with laser hair removal from AesthetiCare.
Laser hair removal is rising in popularity and quickly becoming mainstream for many reasons – all of which and more we will discuss in this ultimate guide to laser hair removal.
But first, listen while Kathy Taranto, AesthetiCare co-owner, explains why laser hair removal is the #1 laser treatment nationwide.
So, could it possibly be time to relinquish your razor? Read on to learn more!
What Is Laser Hair Removal Treatment?
Laser hair removal is a safe and effective process for eliminating unwanted hair virtually anywhere on the body (except near the eyes).
Laser hair reduction is light-years beyond where it first began, and it’s all due to the incredible technology that has been developed to remove body hair with more speed and versatility than ever before.
But don’t take my word for it! Take a minute and listen to Matt Taranto, co-owner of AesthetiCare, as he highlights the most advanced laser hair removal machine on the market today (and we have it! ):
AesthetiCare is fortunate to own five FDA-approved lasers to treat body hair removal in both Kansas City and Liberty.
First, your provider will determine the most effective laser hair removal device to treat your unique skin type and hair color. Then, over a span of 15 to 60 minutes (depending on the area(s) being treated), the laser delivers heat to the targeted area and destroys the base of the follicle permanently – allowing you to finally throw away that razor.
How many laser sessions does it take to permanently remove hair?
A lot of people don’t realize that a series of treatments are required to ensure permanent hair removal. Six to 12 treatments are sometimes required for maximum results. This is because hair can only be destroyed in the active growth stage, of which there are three.
The 3 Stages of Hair Growth
Some people have more hair than others, and no one’s hair grows at the same rate. Hair cycles through a merry-go-round of three growth phases:
The Anagen Phase: Your hair grows in multiple directions, and it’s during this “active growing” phase when the bulb of your hair is fully intact. Since the bulb is closest to the surface of your skin, laser hair removal can more effectively target hair follicles during this phase.
The Catagen Phase: Just like we need rest stops on long journeys, your hair does, too! Think of this phase as a brief rest stop between the anagen and telogen phases. Hair growth ceases but doesn’t shed in the lower part, leading to absorption of the bottom third of the follicle by the body.
The Telogen Phase: Club hair time! No, this is not a time to get ready for a night out on the town – it’s when the hair bulb vanishes and the resting phase begins. This club hair then either falls out or gets pushed out by hair entering the anagen phase.
Since not all hair follicles are in the same phase at the same time, multiple hair removal treatments are necessary to target all hair follicles during their anagen phase.
For the best hair removal results, each hair follicle must be targeted with laser technology during the anagen (active growing) phase.
How Laser Hair Removal Works
Laser technology has become so innovative that it’s kicking traditional methods like waxing, plucking and shaving to the curb!
During the anagen phase of hair growth, light from the laser attacks the melanin (pigment) in the follicle growth centers. Once your skin absorbs the light, it converts to heat, destroying unwanted hair at the source.
What does that mean for you?
- Laser hair removal eliminates 80%-90% of the hair from the treated area.
- Though some hair may grow back, it’ll be more subtle and less noticeable than before.
- As far as downtime goes, it’s minimal to none.
“Am I a Good Candidate for Laser Hair Removal?”
If you answer YES to any of the following…
- I’m a healthy adult.
- I want to remove excess, unwanted hair from my body.
- I’m tired of all the other hair removal methods (tweezing, shaving, etc.)
- I’m ready to undergo a series of 6 to 12 laser hair removal treatments.
Then you’re an excellent candidate!
An experienced laser technician will work with your specific needs, including adjusting your laser hair removal treatment to best fit your unique hair color and skin tone.
Although many people can experience the incredible effects of hair removal treatments, there are some people who should refrain from laser hair removal:
- Female clients who are pregnant
- Clients who have underlying skin conditions that could worsen with laser treatments.
- Clients with pale blond, red or gray hair, since there’s not enough pigment to target.
What Are the Laser Hair Removal Zones?
Our highly experienced aestheticians can perform laser hair removal on almost any part of your body where unwanted hair exists. These body areas include:
- Legs
- Arms
- Bikini Area
- Face
- Underarms
- Neck
- Back
- Chest
Most of our AesthetiCare clients experience optimal results after four to eight treatments, but we encourage clients to attend the number of laser hair removal sessions that will produce their desired results – whether that’s a series of four, eight or more.
Does Laser Hair Removal Have Long-Term Side Effects?
When on the hunt for laser hair removal in Kansas City, you want to be fully aware of any side effects or required downtime.
For treatments at AesthetiCare – ranked the Best Hair Removal Salon in Kansas City Magazine’s Best of KC 2022 – the side effects are minor and disappear shortly following your hair removal treatment. They may include:
- Skin irritation
- Changes in skin pigment
- Crusting
Time To Debunk the Myths & Determine the Facts About Body Hair Removal!
All too often, clients who come into our offices for laser hair removal treatment find they’ve been misinformed. At AesthetiCare, we don’t ever want you to feel confused or worried about an upcoming treatment, which is exactly why we do consults beforehand. Our goal is to provide you with all the facts you need to make the best-informed decision for you.
Let’s dispel some myths and embrace the facts:
MYTH: Laser hair removal isn’t safe for darker skin.
FACT: It’s true that those with fairer skin and dark hair experience the best results, but dark-skinned individuals can still achieve significant hair reduction.
MYTH: Laser hair removal is 100% permanent.
FACT: Laser hair removal is designed to reduce hair. Typically, it eliminates 80% -90% of unwanted hair, and one series of treatments is enough to last up to 6 to 12 months.
MYTH: Laser hair removal is quite painful.
FACT: Clients equate the laser hair removal process to the sensation of a small rubber band snap. For most people, it’s not terribly painful. However, AesthetiCare offers a topical numbing agent or additional cooling to ensure a more comfortable treatment, so that at the very least, all you may need is an ice pack to reduce minor redness or swelling. After treatment, though, you can return directly to your daily routine!
MYTH: Laser hair removal is only for women.
FACT: If our LHR machine had eyes, it wouldn’t be able to tell Adam from Eve; Skin is skin, hair is hair and that’s that! Despite popular belief, laser hair removal is a VERY popular treatment for men and it often delivers the same long-lasting results found in women!
Popular hair removal requests from men include:
- Back hair
- Chest hair
- Even hair on their head
Don’t Try This at Home, Folks!
Just put the laser down and nobody’s going to get hurt.
The fact of the matter is, you can really hurt yourself if you attempt laser hair removal at home.
Remember those side effects we talked about earlier? You’re much more likely to experience those and even worse risks by treating yourself. Lasers require expert care and training, so if you don’t know what you’re doing, you’ll be taking a serious risk.
That’s why to achieve your desired results, we encourage you to seek high-quality laser hair removal in Kansas City. *wink, wink*
Here’s why you should NOT attempt laser hair removal at home:
Reason #1: Laser hair removal at home is not as effective.
Most people turn to laser hair removal out of contempt for shaving, plucking and waxing, but at-home lasers aren’t nearly as powerful as professional lasers – meaning you won’t achieve the same level of results.
Professional laser hair removal treatments eliminate 80% – 90% of unwanted hair in the treated area(s) and can last up to 6 to 12 months. However, if you perform laser hair removal at home, you may not even see results at all.
Reason #2: Laser hair removal at home does not work for all people.
A weak DIY laser can’t target pigment if there isn’t enough contrast between the color of your hair and the color of your skin. Since laser hair removal targets the pigment of your hair, it’s possible that an at-home laser could produce desired results for people with pale skin and dark hair.
But if you have lighter hair or darker skin, you should not attempt laser hair removal at home. If this describes you and you desire LHR, seek a licensed professional for treatment.
Reason #3: Laser hair removal at home is dangerous.
Why take the risk when there are other options available? Laser hair removal at home is simply not safe. Unlike traditional lasers utilized by professionals, at-home lasers are not FDA-approved and could damage your skin. As a result, you could end up with side effects such as:
- Burns
- Blisters
- Hyperpigmentation
- Hypopigmentation
- Skin infection
What Are You Waiting For? Remove Unwanted Body Hair With AesthetiCare!
Who knew removing body hair could be so complex?
Hopefully after reading this guide, you feel more secure about laser hair removal, and we’ve provided enough information for you to answer that burning question that was asked at the start of this article.
To give up or to not give up THE RAZOR…
If laser hair removal is in your future, be sure you’re getting the most out of your treatment series by following the customized laser hair removal plan determined by your provider. This will ensure long-lasting results!
Following any treatment, it’s important to keep your skin protected from sun exposure and all outside pollutants. AesthetiCare recommends using a quality SPF – all of which can be found here.
AesthetiCare co-owner Kathy Taranto puts it best as she summarizes key takeaways of the #1 laser treatment nationwide in under 2 minutes.
Check it out!
If you’re ready or even thinking about relinquishing your razor, our talented aestheticians are standing by to answer all your hair removal questions or to get you started with treatment.
Scheduling a consultation is always the first step, and we make it easy. You have the option between a virtual consultation or in-person.
We can’t wait to meet you!
About AesthetiCare MedSpa
AesthetiCare MedSpa has served the Kansas City metro area for more than 21 years. We provide a complimentary, one-hour consultation and skin evaluation to all interested clients to ensure each person receives the services needed to achieve their unique health goals.
