Laser Hair Removal In Gainesville, FL
Excess or unwanted body or facial hair affects both male and female patients, and while it may not be considered a medical emergency, it often results in feelings of self-consciousness and sometimes embarrassment. Patient confidence and satisfaction are the ultimate concerns for our plastic surgeon in Gainesville, FL. If you’re sick of constantly shaving, waxing, and tweezing unwanted hair and are looking for a more permanent hair removal treatment, our laser hair removal services may be right for you!
John W. Tyrone, MD, PLLC, Plastic Surgery offers a wide variety of high-quality aesthetic treatments and plastic surgery in Gainesville! For smooth skin and renewed self-esteem through a comfortable treatment, schedule an appointment for laser hair removal in Gainesville, Florida!
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What Is Laser Hair Removal?
Laser hair removal is a highly-popular, non-invasive hair removal treatment that can be used to reduce unwanted hair on a person’s body or face. This is accomplished through the use of exposure to pulses of laser light which destroy hair follicles without damaging the skin. Laser hair removal offers a non-invasive and comfortable alternative to conventional hair removal methods like shaving and waxing, which can be tedious, painful, and expensive. Contact our Gainesville plastic surgery office today to learn more about laser hair removal or to schedule a consultation!
How Does Laser Hair Removal Work?
Laser hair removal utilizes the heat from a laser to inhibit hair growth at the follicular level. The laser projects a light which is converted to heat energy and absorbed by the melanin in the patient’s hair. The absorbed heat damages the hair follicles, which prevents hair growth. Multiple treatment sessions are typically needed to entirely remove the hair. For treatment of the face, arms, underarms and bikini area, allow between four and six weeks to pass before scheduling the following session. Larger areas such as the back, chest, and legs require between eight and ten weeks of time to pass between treatment sessions.
Patients may have heard of (or even experienced) painful, uncomfortable laser hair removal sessions; the feeling experienced during a session is often described as having a rubber band popped along the skin or a hot pinprick. Luckily, patients who visit our plastic surgery center in Gainesville no longer have to suffer throughout the entirety of their treatments.
What To Expect At Your Appointment
Upon arrival at our office, patients will be guided to a private treatment room and provided with a pair of specialized goggles to protect the eyes. Patients will have treatment area(s) prepared with any necessary shaving and topical anesthetic. Next, the treatment area will have a hand-held laser device applied, the laser beam travels directly to the hair follicle to inhibit hair growth.
The areas of the body being treated, as well as the amount of hair, will determine how long the session will take and how many sessions will be necessary. For example, a small area such as the upper lip may only require several minutes, but a larger area such as the legs may require a few hours. Some common treatments we offer include full body laser hair removal, Brazilian laser hair removal, arm hair removal, underarm laser hair removal, leg hair removal, bikini laser hair removal, and much more!
Results & Recovery
After your session has ended, aftercare procedures will be discussed. Swelling, redness and slight discomfort are normal and to be expected after treatment. Avoid sun exposure for at least six weeks and apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen on a daily basis. Additionally, waxing or plucking the hair at the treatment areas between sessions should be avoided. Otherwise, patients are free to resume regular activities as soon as they like. Patients will notice hair loss over the following days and weeks; it is normal to still notice hair after the first session. Patients will likely need 6-12 sessions to treat hair as it goes through the natural hair growth cycle — treating follicles in the new-growth stage is most effective.
The overall results after a session are difficult to predict as patient skin tone and hair pigmentation widely vary. But with each subsequent session the appearance of hair is lessened. Some patients note that hair removal lasts for several months or years, while other patients require maintenance treatments to maintain desired hair-free areas. Any hair that does regrow is typically lighter in color and finer in texture.
Frequently Asked Questions
The Cynosure® Elite+™ is regarded as one of the best laser hair removal devices, which is exactly why our office utilizes it. This device contains two laser wavelengths that are proven to quickly, effectively and safely remove hair for patients of all skin types. Using the Cynosure® Elite+™ the treatment area is able to be spot-sized for quickly targeting small or large areas of hair. Additionally, this laser device can be operated with one of two wavelengths; the variation of the wavelength allows patients with varying skin tones to receive the best possible treatment.
As with any cosmetic procedure, there are risks of which all patients should be aware of. The majority of patients have great success with laser hair removal treatments, however each patient is different and may experience any of the following side effects:
- Changes in skin color
- Skin infection
- Burns
To confirm candidacy a consultation will be required before scheduling your treatment session. Laser hair removal works best on patients with a significant contrast between hair color and skin color. This contrast allows the laser to effectively pinpoint the dark pigment of the hair to damage growth. Results may vary on patients with gray, red, blonde and white hair as the pigmentation of the hair is not dark. Rest assured that our Gainesville plastic surgeon will discuss the treatment with you and analyze the treatment areas to discuss any concerns and determine candidacy. Medical history, medication use and skin health history will also be assessed during the consultation.
Please note that the eyelids and eyebrows are not recommended for laser hair removal as the risk of an eye injury is significant.
Each patient’s hair cycles through the anagen phase, catagen phase and the telogen phase. The rate of hair growth for each patient varies, as does the time the patient’s hair spends in each phase. Treating hair with laser hair removal while it is in the anagen phase, which is the active hair growth phase, is scientifically proven to be the most effective time to remove hair. Therefore, numerous sessions spaced apart at specific intervals increase the chances of targeting hair during the anagen phase which provides patients with the best results.
The exact price of laser hair removal treatment will vary depending on what area of the body needs hair removed and how many sessions are necessary. Contact us today to schedule a laser hair removal consultation or ask about laser hair removal cost!