Shaving, plucking, and waxing are time-consuming beauty chores that may have you thinking about a more permanent solution for your unwanted hair -- like laser hair removal. Though you may skip some of your hair-removal treatments during the winter months because you can cover up with clothing, summer is always right around the corner.
At Kenilworth Primary Care, we use the industry-leading Icon™ aesthetic laser tool for laser hair removal. While we offer laser beauty treatments all year long, our board-certified internist, Dr. Bhavani Jeereddy considers winter the best time to start laser hair-removal treatments and she wants you to know why so you can start your treatments now.
Though we may be able to start various aesthetic treatments soon after your initial consultation, we may not be able to start laser hair removal right away because it requires preparation.
To get the best results, we provide very specific guidelines on how to we need you to get ready for laser hair removal. You’ll need to stay out of the sun or use broad-spectrum sunblock for at least six weeks prior to the start of your sessions. For our patients in Kenilworth, New Jersey, this preparation is a lot easier in the summertime.
Protecting your skin from the sun prior to treatment reduces your risk of side effects, such as changes in skin color or scarring. Unless you’ve just returned from a beach vacation, we can usually start your laser hair-removal treatments sooner during the winter.
In addition to avoiding the sun, we also need you to stop plucking and waxing prior to each laser session. These methods of hair removal disturb the hair follicle, which may make your treatments less effective. The energy produced by our Icon laser targets the pigment in your hair follicle and destroys it to stop further hair growth.
You may find it easier to stop your usual hair-removal treatments during the winter when you’re baring less skin. Shaving is allowed, however, and we request that you shave or trim the hair in the treatment area the day before your session.
Sun protection after laser hair removal is just as important as sun protection beforehand. Your skin is ultra-sensitive following laser hair removal and needs time to heal. Exposing your healing skin to the sun, a tanning bed, or a sun lamp may cause hyperpigmentation.
Your winter garb makes it easy for you to keep your sensitive skin out of the sun as it heals between your laser hair-removal treatments.
Your hair grows in three stages (growth, degradation, and resting) and not all hair is at the same stage at the same time. Laser hair removal is most effective at destroying the hair follicles when they’re in the growing stage. In order for us to get your skin as smooth and hair-free as possible, we may need to schedule 3-6 laser hair-removal sessions.
The time in between each session may depend on the area being treated. For areas where hair grows quickly, like your face, we schedule sessions every 4-8 weeks. However, if we’re removing unwanted hair from your back, we may schedule sessions every 12-16 weeks because the hair grows at a slower rate.
Starting laser hair removal in the winter gives you enough time to complete your sessions before summer arrives. To schedule your laser hair-removal consultation so you can be hair-free by summer, contact us by phone or online today.
