From the time we are young, we are always asking questions:
Will I get into college or get that job?
When will I find my soulmate?
Will I ever be able to stop shaving my legs?
No matter your stage of life, constant hair removal is a struggle.
The never-ended cycle of shaving and waxing inspired doctors to start looking into hair removal options that aren’t so repetitive.
You don’t have to live life with hair in places you don’t want it. While you can find solutions like waxing and shaving, they are time consuming, minimally effective, and pesky tasks. But luckily, it’s not all or nothing. You don’t have to pick between hairy legs or the annoyance of shaving. Explore laser hair removal near Overland Park to get rid of unwanted hair for good.
How Laser Hair Removal Works
Laser hair removal is a noninvasive, laser light treatment that targets hair follicles and damages them just enough to stop new hair growth. Light from the laser creates heat within each follicle, halting hair growth at the root for long-lasting hair reduction.
Most patients need around 6 treatment sessions to see maximum results, because our hair follicles go through cycles, including a resting phase and a growing phase.
During the resting phase, the hair follicles disconnect from the hair strands and don’t absorb all the light from the laser. Follicles in the resting phase won’t benefit from the laser treatment—only hair in the growth phase will respond.
That’s why we recommend getting multiple treatments along a specific timeline—so that we can target each hair as it rotates through its growth cycle.
Who is a good candidate for laser hair removal?
Everyone! Laser hair removal safely and effectively treats almost everyone looking to eliminate unwanted hair. People of all ages and skin types have experienced excellent outcomes.
Of course, if you have any medical conditions or concerns, you can discuss these with an expert during your consultation. Our team will evaluate your skin and hair type to customize your treatment for optimal results. No matter your skin tone or hair texture, laser hair removal can offer an effective and safe solution for smooth, hair-free skin.
New Advancements to the Science
Several years ago, technology wasn’t capable of distinguishing between hair color and skin color. So those with only slight differences between their hair and skin pigment would not benefit from laser hair removal—only those with drastic color contrast saw results. But now, advancements in laser technology can help everyone benefit from laser hair removal!
Benefits of Laser Hair Removal
Accuracy
It’s far too easy to miss little hairs when shaving and waxing, leaving you with bothersome rough patches. But with laser hair removal, you never miss a spot. After a few sessions to target all the hair as it goes through the growth cycle, laser hair removal can give you completely hair-free skin..
Plus, you won’t have any more annoying cuts from a slipped razor or burns from too-hot wax.
No Downtime
One significant advantage of laser hair removal near Overland Park is that, unlike some other laser treatments, it doesn’t require any downtime! Your skin might be a little red or irritated, but nothing extreme enough to require recovery time in the office or at your home. You can get back to your life, just with a little less hair!
Longevity
While no hair removal treatment is completely permanent, laser hair removal offers effective and long-lasting results. Our body’s design constantly tries to regrow hair. So even though our technology tries its best to stop hair growth completely, it isn’t possible. But it is great at pushing off regrowth for as long as possible. Meaning you only need to touch up every year or two.
The Laser Hair Removal Process
Starting a new journey, like the process of laser hair removal, can seem daunting. But don’t worry, we’ll stay right by your side the whole time. For now, we’ll briefly overview the process until you come in and visit us in person to talk more and get all your questions answered.
Step One – Consultation
If we were to pick the most important part of the process, the consultation tops the list! That’s because consulting with an expert will give you a better idea whether or not laser hair removal near Overland Park is right for you. And it helps us to understand you, your biggest concerns, and your goals for your treatment.
You’re not required to do anything specific to prepare for your appointment, but it often helps the process if you make some notes beforehand. Plan to share things like your medical history, any skin conditions, what you most desire to get out of your treatments. You can even send over any medical records from your primary doctor. This isn’t a necessity, but it prevents you from forgetting any details about your medical past.
Step Two – Planning Your Appointment
Once we understand your goals for laser hair removal near Overland Park, then we will start to make a treatment plan. This involves scheduling your first appointment and creating a tentative schedule for the following appointments.
You and your provider will also discuss any pain management options that could help to make laser hair removal a more comfortable experience for you.
Step Three – Preparing for Treatment
Your provider will instruct you to shave the treatment area either the day before or the day of your laser hair removal session. This ensures a smooth, hair-free surface, allowing the laser to target the hair follicles directly beneath the skin.
When hair is present on the skin’s surface, the laser may focus on those hairs instead of reaching the follicles, reducing the treatment’s effectiveness. By shaving beforehand, the laser more efficiently penetrates to the root of the hair, optimizing the results and ensuring a more effective and smooth treatment experience with minimal risk of skin irritation.
Step Four – Treatment Time
Once your appointment begins, we will prepare the treatment area and power up the laser device chosen for your skin type. Our expert will then run a beam of highly focused light across your skin’s surface. Each hair absorbs light, and the resulting heat generated destroys the unwanted hair follicles.
Why is this better than at-home solutions?
While there are many at-home laser hair removal options, choosing Kansas City Skin & Cancer Center ensures a safe and effective treatment. Our trained experts use medical-grade lasers, reducing the risk of burns or injuries often associated with at-home devices.
At Home Options
Seems Cheaper
At-home laser hair removal devices may appear more affordable, but they often lack effectiveness and wear out quickly. You’ll need to replace the device regularly, and the results rarely last.
Professional, in-office laser hair removal treatments offer more effective, longer-lasting outcomes and reduce the need for frequent touch-ups. While the initial cost may be higher, the effectiveness and durability of the results make professional treatments a smarter long-term investment.
Seems More Convenient
While at-home laser hair removal may seem convenient, it loses its appeal when it leads to burns or other injuries from faulty devices. Professional treatments are safer, as they’re performed by trained experts using medical-grade equipment.
A DIY, or do-it-yourself, approach can result in complications that make the perceived convenience not so worth it. Professional laser hair removal can safely and reliably provide smooth, hair-free skin without the risks of a malfunctioning device.
Your Laser Hair Removal Questions: Answered
Thinking about laser hair removal near Overland Park, but still have a few questions? You’re not alone, and it’s natural to have questions about how it works, what to expect, and whether it’s the right choice for you.
To help you feel confident in your knowledge of the process, we’ve rounded up answers to some of the most common questions about laser hair removal.
Where Can I Get Laser Hair Removal?
While the most common areas of the body for laser removal are the face, underarms, legs, and bikini line, you can actually get laser hair removal for almost any part of the body that grows hair.
This can include the:
- Back
- Chest
- Neck
- Arms
Is Laser Hair Removal Painful?
Laser hair removal works by sending the light of a laser through the dark pigment of the hair. This light then converts into heat, which damages the hair follicle and hair bulb. This lends to a quick, snapping sensation, which most patients describe as feeling like a rubber band snapping on the skin.
Modern lasers also have integrated cooling mechanisms that constantly direct a cold blast of air at the laser’s target, which helps the treatment remain tolerable.
How Long is a Laser Hair Removal Appointment?
The length of a laser hair removal appointment depends on the area being treated. Areas like the face may take as little as 20 minutes, while full leg laser hair removal near Overland Park can take up to 60 minutes.
Your laser technician can give you a more accurate estimate on the day of your appointment.
Am I a Good Candidate For Laser Hair Removal?
Though laser hair removal has improved and changed since it first hit the market in 1998, not everyone makes a perfect candidate for laser hair removal.
These factors go into making someone an excellent candidate for the treatment:
- Hair type: Though modern lasers can work on some types of lighter hair, dark and coarse hair is still the ideal hair type for laser hair removal. Blond, fine hair cannot be targeted by the laser properly.
- Consistent skin tone: People without excessive sun exposure and who diligently use sunscreen can expect better results from laser hair removal. Sunburned or sun-tanned skin can complicate laser treatments, reducing their efficacy.
- Realistic expectations: Laser hair removal requires several sessions to achieve the desired results. Some hair colors or textures are more challenging to remove than others. You’ll need a series of treatments to achieve significant or complete hair reduction.
We always start our laser hair removal treatments with a curated consultation, where your provider confirms that the treatment is the best choice for you and your skin.
How Should I Prepare for Laser Hair Removal?
Preparing before your laser hair removal near Overland Park visit sets you up for the best results possible from the treatment.
Take these key steps before your appointment:
- Avoid excess sun exposure for at least 4 weeks before the appointment, and apply proper sun protection when going outside for prolonged periods.
- Do not use self-tanning products for at least 3 weeks before the treatment.
- Do not tweeze, wax, or pluck the treatment area for 2 weeks before your laser sessions.
- Shave the treatment area 24 hours before your appointment.
- Arrive at your appointment with the treatment area clean and free of makeup, lotions, deodorant, and sun protection.
Move on to a New, Hair-free Chapter
Now you know all about laser hair removal near Overland Park. Taking care of your skin means more than just cosmetic care and skincare products (although we do have these, too!). Discover more ways to care for your skin’s health at kcskincenter.com!
If you have questions, or would like to talk with a provider about your situation, contact us.
We hope to hear from you soon!
