Tired of Shaving? Try Laser Hair Removal

You’ve spent a lifetime shaving, plucking, waxing, and for what? Your hair just grows back in a day or so, leaving you right where you started. What if there were a better way to rid yourself of pesky hair? Well, there is.

At Med Physique Center for Aesthetics in Austin, Texas, our expert team of aestheticians, led by Dr. Sherry L. Neyman, understands how annoying and time-consuming shaving and plucking can be. That’s why we offer laser hair removal using the GentleMax Pro® system. By damaging the follicle, the laser can permanently prevent the hair from growing back. Here’s how. 

What is laser hair removal?

Lasers create a narrow, focused beam of light at a specific wavelength. When the lasers used in hair removal direct their light at the treatment area, that light is absorbed by the melanin pigment contained in the hairs. Once absorbed, the light energy is converted into heat energy, which damages the hair follicles, preventing or delaying new hair growth.

Laser hair removal (LHR) only targets hairs in the anagen (active growth) stage, which is about 20% of the total amount; this means you’ll need multiple sessions for each treatment area to ensure you destroy all the active follicles.

Lasers can be used successfully on all skin types, but they’re most effective for people with light skin and dark hair. This is partly because dark hair contains the most pigment to absorb the laser light. Light skin also contains less melanin, so the treatment doesn’t damage the skin surrounding the follicles. New technological advances, though, have made laser hair removal possible for people with dark skin. 

LHR is also less effective for hair colors that don’t absorb light energy well, such as gray, white, blond, and red. Once again, though, new technologies are emerging that can bypass this issue.

Which areas does LHR target?

The most popular areas for hair removal include:

• Legs
• Armpits
• Upper lip
• Chin
• Shoulders
• Chest
• Back
• Bikini area

In essence, you can remove unwanted hair from nearly any place on the body except for the eyelids and the surrounding area. If you have a tattoo, it’s difficult to remove hair, since the inks can also absorb the light.

What is GentleMax Pro, and what can I expect from it?

GentleMax Pro is our LHR system of choice, and it’s the gold standard for the industry. It’s a single consolidated system that combines two fast and powerful lasers: the Alexandrite and the YAG, which allows us to customize results for all skin types. That means you can achieve the results you want with fewer visits, making it more convenient and affordable.

GentleMax Pro delivers a controlled amount of intense energy to the targeted area, safely and effectively destroying follicles without damaging the surrounding skin. Our clients tell us they feel much less discomfort with GentleMax Pro compared to other lasers. 

Because lasers produce heat, you’ll feel a tingling sensation during the treatment. Most people describe it as similar to being snapped lightly with a rubber band or getting a warm pinch — nothing more severe than that.

Treatments range from just a few minutes for small facial areas to about an hour for larger zones such as the legs or back. We recommend 4-6 treatments to achieve optimal results, since each session can only treat the follicles that are actively producing hair. And while the results are long-lasting, they’re rarely permanent due to changing hormone levels, so you’ll probably need some maintenance sessions down the line.

LHR treatments require no downtime or recovery, though you might experience some swelling and/or redness at the treatment area for a few hours. You can apply ice to the area to reduce any discomfort. 

You’ll begin to see hair shedding over the next days and weeks as the follicles wither away. Make sure to pay extra attention to protecting your skin from the sun during this time, as it will be sensitive. Always use a broad-spectrum sunscreen of SPF 30 or higher when you’re outside.

If you’re tired of shaving and shaving again, it’s time to try laser hair removal at Med Physique Center for Aesthetics to achieve long-term results. Give our office a call at 512-361-2650 to set up an appointment, or book online with us today.