What to expect
At our office
For your first appointment, you’ll need to fill out some forms.
You will have a private consultation where we look at your particular hair and skin combination, discuss the area to be treated and develop a custom tailored treatment plan based on your typical hair growth patterns. We make sure you’re fully prepared and know what to expect from the treatment itself.
The Treatment
During laser hair removal, you’ll wear goggles so your eyes won’t be exposed to light from the laser. At first, you will likely feel a stinging sensation, indicating that the laser has been activated. The treatment involves a series of impulses that cause prickling and a slight burning sensation. Your clinician may also apply a topical anesthetic to the area being treated to minimize discomfort, but most people can tolerate the procedure without it. Some people have likened the feeling to that of a rubber band snapping against your skin. You might also detect the smell of singed hair, which is nothing to worry about.
After treatment
After laser hair removal, you may experience brief swelling and redness. Typically, most people don’t have much redness at all. Sometimes the laser will cause follicular edema, a swelling of the follicle which appear as small red bumps. These typically resolve in 2-4 hours but may last as long as a week.
Don’t expect that all the hair will fall out right away — it may take as long as two weeks after treatment. For the most part, you can return to your normal routine immediately, though you should avoid direct sun exposure. Be sure to use sunscreen with a high SPF. Some doctors also advise that you avoid exercise and strenuous activity for the first 24 hours so as not to perspire and cause increased irritation. You should continue to avoid direct sun exposure and tanning booths for several weeks after treatment. Be careful when touching the treated areas: don’t wax or pluck hairs, pick at the skin, or rub or scrub it. A gentle washing with soap and water is perfectly fine, but you should avoid hot tubs for 48 hours after treatment.
At our office
For your first appointment, you’ll need to fill out some forms.
You will have a private consultation where we look at your particular hair and skin combination, discuss the area to be treated and develop a custom tailored treatment plan based on your typical hair growth patterns. We make sure you’re fully prepared and know what to expect from the treatment itself.
The Treatment
During laser hair removal, you’ll wear goggles so your eyes won’t be exposed to light from the laser. At first, you will likely feel a stinging sensation, indicating that the laser has been activated. The treatment involves a series of impulses that cause prickling and a slight burning sensation. Your clinician may also apply a topical anesthetic to the area being treated to minimize discomfort, but most people can tolerate the procedure without it. Some people have likened the feeling to that of a rubber band snapping against your skin. You might also detect the smell of singed hair, which is nothing to worry about.
After treatment
After laser hair removal, you may experience brief swelling and redness. Typically, most people don’t have much redness at all. Sometimes the laser will cause follicular edema, a swelling of the follicle which appear as small red bumps. These typically resolve in 2-4 hours but may last as long as a week.
Don’t expect that all the hair will fall out right away — it may take as long as two weeks after treatment. For the most part, you can return to your normal routine immediately, though you should avoid direct sun exposure. Be sure to use sunscreen with a high SPF. Some doctors also advise that you avoid exercise and strenuous activity for the first 24 hours so as not to perspire and cause increased irritation. You should continue to avoid direct sun exposure and tanning booths for several weeks after treatment. Be careful when touching the treated areas: don’t wax or pluck hairs, pick at the skin, or rub or scrub it. A gentle washing with soap and water is perfectly fine, but you should avoid hot tubs for 48 hours after treatment.
