Laser Hair Removal in Austin

What to Expect With Laser Hair Removal

During treatment, you will experience mild to moderate discomfort similar to being lightly snapped by a rubber band. Most patients tolerate the procedure without anesthesia, but anesthesia may be recommended for sensitive areas. This may include a numbing cream applied to the skin one hour before treatment. 

Your eyes will be protected with safety shields or glasses during the procedure. You may briefly feel a warm or “rubber band snap” sensation as the light is absorbed by the targeted areas. Laser hair removal may take a few minutes to half an hour depending on the size of the area to be treated and the type of procedure performed. The procedure is gentle, noninvasive and safe. Generally, there is no need for a topical anesthetic, but your Aesthetician may recommend using on more sensitive areas. 

What is BroadBand Light (BBL) for Hair Reduction? 

Sciton® BBL is an innovative light-based technology that utilizes pulses of light energy to gently penetrate into the skin and specifically target, disable and destroy unwanted hair follicles. This noninvasive treatment is a comfortable and easy treatment for the age-old problem of unwanted body hair. 

BBL delivers excellent photothermal energy to hair follicles. By selecting the appropriate wavelength for hair reduction, your Aesthetician will be able to tailor the treatment to your skin type in order to achieve optimal results. Hair grows in three stages, and when the hair is in the anagen stage (growth) it is most vulnerable to light therapy. 

BBL selectively heats the full length of the embedded hair follicle cutting off its supply of nutrients, thus disabling its growth. Because all hair is not always in the anagen stage at one time, multiple treatments must be given over time to treat it while it is in the anagen stage. Your Aesthetician will design a treatment series to reflect your desire for hair reduction in particular body locations. 

What Other Hair Removal Treatments Are Available?

Waxing, shaving, and the use of depilatory creams are well-established methods for hair reduction, albeit temporary. Electrolysis is the traditional tried and tested method for permanent hair reduction. However, it is often very time-consuming, painful, and not without complications. 

With rapid technology development, the most popular and effective method for hair reduction is the use of lasers or intense pulsed light, which are designed to damage and destroy many hairs at once, delivered in a brief period of time with reduced side effects. Many patients are interested in laser or light hair reduction because the end results are consistent and predictable within a reasonable time frame that fits their lifestyle. 

What Areas Can Be Treated With Laser Hair Removal? 

BBL laser hair reduction offers patients a safe, fast, and effective alternative for dealing with unwanted hair. BBL is safe enough to be used on any part of the body (e.g., face, neck, underarms, bikini line, legs, arms). 

Tan skin, whether from the sun or tanning beds, is not appropriate for laser hair removal. Tanned skin has a lot of pigment or melanin that may also absorb the BBL light energy intended for the hair follicles. It is recommended that a patient avoids sun exposure in the area to be treated for a period of three weeks prior to treatment with BBL. 

Self-tanners must be faded from the skin for at least a week to 10 days prior to treatment. Talk with your Aesthetician about the possibility of sun exposure during your series so that a safe regimen can be created. 

What to Expect After Laser Hair Removal

Your healing time will depend upon your actual treatment. In most cases, there is virtually no downtime and you may resume daily activities immediately. You may experience some redness after the procedure. Your Aesthetician will answer questions about temporary changes in your skin color and how it may be camouflaged. 

It is important to follow your Aesthetician’s instructions for aftercare. You may be given some skin care products and instructions on how to use them. If you must go outdoors, it is recommended that you cover your treated skin and use sunscreen of SPF 30 or higher. 

How Many Laser Hair Removal Treatments Will I Need?

As mentioned, hair grows in 3 different stages. Hair can only be affected by light energy when it is in its anagen stage. Additionally, hair located on different body parts has different growth cycles and percentages of anagen hair at any one given time. Due to this physiology, a series of treatments must be given over a period of time, usually 4-8 weeks apart to address the growth cycle of the hair. 

Laser Hair Removal For Men

One of the most common reasons men seek out laser hair removal is to ease the effects of razor burn and ingrown hairs. These can be painful, particularly around the neck, caused by shaving. Some men also seek laser hair removal is to straighten beard lines or remove hairs from the center of the face. 

Another common reason men use laser hair removal is to permanently remove unwanted back hair. It should be noted that this procedure can be painful, especially when there’s a lot of hair on a patient’s back. 

Does Insurance Cover Laser Hair Removal Treatments? 

Permanent hair reduction procedures, like other cosmetic procedures, are not usually covered by your insurance company. If you have any questions, it is best to talk with your insurance provider directly to understand the details of your coverage.

Laser hair removal is available at our Georgetown, Cedar Park, Harker Heights, San Marcos, and Southwest Austin locations. Book an appointment today to discuss what treatments are best for your hair removal.