Are IPL Hair Removal Treatments the Right Choice for You?

Did you know that the average person can spend more than 1,000 hours of their life shaving? Women in particular spend even more time, clocking in at more than 1,700 hours of shaving over the course of their lifetime. The cost of shaving supplies can also add up over time. If you are tired of the burden of shaving, you may be a good candidate for laser hair removal services. 

At Nunnally Dermatology, we recommend laser hair removal for many of our patients. This non-invasive semi-permanent hair removal treatment can help you to spend less time shaving and more time enjoying smooth skin. 

Why Laser Hair Removal?

Our patients’ reasons for pursuing laser hair removal services are varied. Some people simply want to take shaving out of their daily routine to get more time for themselves. Other patients are struggling with excess hair growth from medications they are taking, the start of menopause, diseases or illness, or hormonal imbalances. 

While hair can be removed using many other methods such as chemical solutions, waxing, and tweezing, none of these methods are permanent so they will have to be repeated again and again. Laser hair removal is a good solution for patients who want a more long-lasting solution for unwanted hair. 

What Is Laser Hair Removal?

At any given moment, you have hair follicles that are in three different stages of hair growth. Some of your hair follicles will be in the actively growing phase. Others will be in a resting phase. Still others will be in the process of regressing or falling out. Intense pulsed light, or IPL treatments, can be used to target hairs that are in the active stage of growth. The wavelengths destroy the follicle so that it can’t grow any more hair. 

IPL works by sending out specific wavelengths that target the darker color of the hair. We can customize these wavelengths in our office to help treat patients with different skin types. When this energy is absorbed into your skin, it becomes heat energy and it penetrates the active hair at the bulb, damaging the follicle permanently and causing the hair to fall out. After the follicle has been damaged by the IPL device, hair will not grow in the same follicle again. 

Where Can Laser Hair Removal Be Performed?

Laser hair removal can be performed anywhere as long as the hair is a darker color. These areas can include:

• Legs
• Arms
• Underarms
• Back
• Chest

How Permanent Are IPL Hair Removal Treatments?

Because IPL technology only targets hair follicles that are in the actively growing phase, you will have to come back for multiple treatments before all of the hair is removed in your target area. Usually, up to one-third of your hair follicles can be treated during one session. Once a hair follicle is treated, it won’t come back. This is why the treatment is considered semi-permanent. However, new follicles can activate and other follicles that are in the resting or regressing phase can start growing hairs. You can expect to schedule multiple sessions for the best results, and you may even want to come in once a year for maintenance treatments.

What to Expect from IPL Hair Removal Treatments

If a laser hair removal treatment sounds right for you, your first step will be to call us for a consultation. This is your chance to ask any questions you have about the process. This is also our time to determine whether your skin type and hair type are suitable for treatment. IPL hair removal treatments often work the best on patients who have fairer skin and darker hair. Because the treatment targets melanin, it may not be as effective if your hair is lighter colored or if your skin and hair are similar colors. Generally, the more contrast between the skin and hair, the more effective the treatment. 

After your consultation, you’ll schedule an appointment with us to have your first hair removal treatment. 24 hours before your treatment, you can and should shave the treatment area. However, make sure not to pluck or wax the hair for several weeks before the treatment so that you can get the most out of your hair removal. 

Before treatment, we can apply a topical numbing cream. The heat energy from the treatment can cause slight discomfort, especially in more sensitive areas. We will also apply a cooling lubricant gel to help make the treatment easier and to help cool your skin during the process. If you have any concerns about the treatment itself, make sure to bring up those questions and concerns during the consultation. 

After the treatment, it will be time to take care of your skin. Allow the hairs to naturally fall out and don’t pluck or wax them. Avoid overheating your skin through sun exposure, hot baths, or heat packs for the next two days, and follow all of your doctor’s instructions. 

Laser Hair Removal in Baton Rouge, LA

We use the Palomar Starlux platform for our hair removals which not only offers some of the highest levels of comfort, but also some of the best results. With our platform, we can customize your experience to get the maximum amount of hair removal per session. However, you can still expect to need between 4-8 treatment sessions before achieving satisfactory results. 

At Nunnally Dermatology, we take a comprehensive approach to skincare. We combine the best preventative and corrective treatments to help your skin stay healthy and beautiful. If you are interested in laser hair removal and you want to learn more, schedule a consultation at our comfortable office in Baton Rouge, LA.