Unwanted body hair can be frustrating. Body hair can be removed in many ways, but most hair removal treatments offer only short-term results, requiring you to be diligent to keep up with your preferred removal method. For those looking for laser hair removal in Kansas City, Mirabile M.D. is here for you.

How to Know If Laser Hair Removal is Right for You

Have you been considering laser hair removal? As Kansas City laser hair removal experts, we would love to help you determine if this treatment is right for you. Fortunately, modern technology has made laser hair treatments safe for nearly everyone.

However, if you are pregnant, your doctor may recommend that you don’t undergo laser treatments until after you have had your baby.

Patients with light hair colors might also not be good candidates for laser hair treatments. The laser targets the melanin in the hair during the treatment, so blonde, red, and gray hairs are harder to treat. With light-colored hair, you are less likely to see results, and you could risk burning the treatment area since your hair is too light to absorb the laser’s heat.

The best way to determine if you are a good candidate for laser hair removal is to talk to a professional. Mirabile M.D. can help you make an informed decision on laser treatments.

Laser Hair Removal Process

The laser hair removal process takes time. It isn’t a one-and-done treatment option for unwanted body hair. It is important to remember that you will undergo a series of treatments scheduled weeks apart to attempt to catch hairs at just the right time to remove them permanently. Hair grows in cycles, so while some follicles are dormant, others are producing hair. You have to laser the hair when it is active, so you have to do numerous treatments to catch all the hair during the active phase.

The laser works by targeting the pigment in your hair with a concentrated beam of light. This light hits the hair follicle’s root, causing the cells to die and stunting hair production.

During the treatment, you will need to wear protective eyewear to keep your eyes safe from the laser’s light pulses. While laser hair removal used to be a painful experience, advancements in technology have made the treatments much more comfortable.

While the laser targets the hair, a cooling machine will blow air on the area to counteract the heat of the laser. Session length is heavily dependent on the size of the target area. Small places like the upper lip and underarms can take as little as five minutes, while larger portions of the body like the back or legs can take up to 30 minutes.

Recovery

After your laser treatments, you might notice redness, irritation, and inflammation; all of these are normal reactions, and they will generally subside after a day or two. Immediately following a laser treatment, you should avoid anything that increases your body temperature. For example, skip workouts, sun exposure, and heated seats for at least 24 hours after each treatment.

It is important that you don’t use harsh exfoliants, which could lead to additional skin irritation. It is also a good idea to avoid any new skin treatments until your skin has fully healed. You can consult with your doctor to see if any new treatments are safe to use in conjunction with laser hair removal.

Throughout the first couple of weeks of treatments, you should notice your hair beginning to fall out. This is the shedding phase, and it is a good sign that your treatments are working. During this process, you can gently exfoliate to help speed up the shedding process. Four to six weeks after your treatment, you should notice small, fine hairs regrowing in. This is a normal part of the treatment process.

The first time you will see significant results will likely be after the second or third appointment. With a cycle of four to eight appointments, each scheduled between four and six weeks apart, you should notice a dramatic reduction in the hair you are trying to remove. In some cases, you will be completely hair-free at this point. Some patients will require follow-up maintenance appointments to get the results they are looking for.

What to Expect When Getting Laser Hair Removal at Mirabile M.D.

As laser hair removal experts, you can trust that Mirabile M.D. can safely and effectively provide laser hair treatments that will last. At Mirabile M.D., we use four different laser hair removal systems, meaning that we can find an option that works for your skin type, skin color, hair color, and hair thickness and texture. With four different options, we can remove unwanted hair on people of virtually all hair and skin types and colors.

When you are undergoing laser hair removal treatments, you will need to avoid sun exposure and wear sunscreen daily during your treatment. Avoid waxing, tweezing, and electrolysis for six weeks before your treatment. You can shave regularly during your treatment, and you should show up to each appointment freshly shaved.

Three to eight treatments will be required to achieve 85 to 90 percent hair reduction in most cases. Maintenance treatments may be required to maintain results.

Laser Hair Removal Options at Mirabile M.D.

As we mentioned before, we have four different methods of laser hair removal, including:

Reasons to Choose Laser Hair Removal

There are many benefits of laser hair removal. Let’s take a look at some of them.

1.      Long-Lasting Results

If you are looking for a way to eliminate stubborn body hair for an extended period, laser hair removal is a better option than waxing, shaving, tweezing, or sugaring. As a permanent hair removal option, laser hair treatments will provide the best results in the long-term.

Waxing tends to last between three to six weeks, sugaring lasts three to four weeks, tweezing lasts between two and six weeks, and shaving lasts a few days. Laser hair treatments last for at least two years. For some people, treatments can permanently stop hair growth on the treated areas.

2.      Elimination of Ingrown Hairs

Ingrown hairs can cause discomfort, and they are notoriously hard to get rid of and keep away. Since aggressive hair removal techniques often cause ingrown hairs, laser hair removal is an excellent way to keep them in check. It is crucial to remove these hairs at the root to avoid irritation, bumps, and possibly infection.

3.      Efficacy for Nearly All Patients

While past lasers could not target hair on darker skin without risking discoloration, today’s lasers are safe for all patients. This upgraded technology has made laser hair treatments effective for nearly every patient, and now some lasers allow for hair removal on patients with very fair skin to those with dark brown skin.

4.      Savings

We all value our time and money. Did you know that laser hair removal can save you money on razors or other treatment appointments that are typically done monthly? Plus, it takes a lot of time to keep up with shaving, waxing, tweezing, and other hair removal options. One appointment every four to six weeks will keep help you save both time and money. The best part is that you don’t have to wait for regrowth to occur to remove hair with laser treatments.

5.      Lack of Pain

Waxing and tweezing can both be uncomfortable—even sugaring isn’t without pain. With shaving, you run the risk of nicking the skin, causing bleeding and an open cut. For most patients, laser hair removal is mostly painless, even without the use of an anesthetic cream. During the treatment, a cool burst of air helps counteract the laser’s heat, making the process more comfortable for the patient while soothing the skin.

We know you have many options for laser hair removal in KC. At Mirabile M.D., we offer customizable laser hair removal plans specifically for each patient’s needs. We also offer a maintenance program that discounts services after the initial eight treatments by 50 percent. To learn more about our laser hair removal services, call us today at 913-888-7546 to schedule a consultation.