Lasers are useful for removing unwanted hair from the face, leg, arm, underarm, bikini line, and other areas.

There are benefits of laser hair removal that can make you think, “what am I waiting for?”

• Lasers are extremely precise because they can selectively target dark, coarse hairs while leaving the surrounding skin undamaged.

• Laser removal is a fast procedure.   Each pulse of the laser takes a fraction of a second and can treat many hairs at the same time.  The laser can treat an area approximately the size of a quarter every second. Small areas such as the upper lip can be treated in less than a minute, and large areas, such as the back or legs, may take up to an hour.

• Ninety percent of patients have permanent hair loss after an average of three to five sessions.

Laser hair removal is more than just ”zapping” unwanted hair.  It is a medical procedure that requires training to perform and carries potential risks.  So you need to make sure you use a thoroughly accredited Beverly Hills cosmetic dermatologist to perform the procedure.

You will have to limit plucking, waxing, and electrolysis for six weeks before treatment.  That’s because the laser targets the hairs’ roots, which are temporarily removed by waxing or plucking.

Avoiding  sun exposure for six weeks before and after treatment is recommended because  sun exposure makes laser hair removal less effective and makes complications after treatment more likely.

What you can expect before the procedure, your hair will be trimmed to a few millimeters above the skin surface.  The laser equipment will be adjusted according to the color, thickness, and location of your hair being treated as well as your skin color.

Depending on the laser or light source used, you and the technician will need to wear appropriate eye protection.  It will also be necessary to protect the outer layers of your skin with a cold gel or special cooling device.  This will help the laser light penetrate the skin.

Next, the technician will give a pulse of light to the treatment area and watch the area for several minutes to make sure the best settings were used and to check for bad reactions.

When the procedure is completed, ice packs, anti-inflammatory creams or lotions, will may be needed to ease any discomfort.  You should schedule your next treatment four to six weeks later and continue until  hair stops growing.

Click here or call The Kopelson Clinic today to schedule an appointment.