Countdown to Bikini Season: Laser Hair Removal

Many of us – both men and women – have unwanted hair on our faces, back, underarms, bikini area, chest or legs. These are all areas we shave, pluck, wax and use all kinds of time-consuming, temporary and even painful methods to rid ourselves of unwanted hair. Imagine it: this summer, in time for bikini season, you could break up with your razor or tweezers for good!

Laser hair removal is a relatively quick, highly effective, non-invasive procedure that helps rid you of unwanted hair. After your treatments, you will see a long-lasting reduction in hair density and darkness. Our patients who undergo non-invasive laser hair removal treatments say they no longer have to worry about hair removal on some areas of their body!

reduction in hair density and darkness. Our patients who undergo non-invasive laser hair removal treatments say they no longer have to worry about hair removal on some areas of their body!

The skilled laser hair removal technicians at Port City Plastic Surgery can help you achieve the smooth, silky, beach-worthy skin you’ve been seeking. Click here to schedule a consultation with Port City Plastic Surgery today to see if you are a candidate for laser hair removal.

Laser Hair Removal Consideration: Skin Tone

While laser hair removal can be performed on almost anyone, those with extremely light skin or dark skin – whether from being tan or having naturally darker pigmentation– may not get the same results. This is because the laser can actually damage the skin if a person does not have the proper skin tone. The good news is there are different levels of laser strength that can be used in order to make it possible for people of different skin pigmentation to benefit from this procedure. A consultation with our skilled professional laser technician prior to your procedure is the best way to find out if you are a candidate. At Port City Plastic Surgery, we have years of experience helping patients of all different skin colors, tone and types understand the best treatment options, so you get the personalized results you want.

How Laser Hair Removal Works

When a hair follicle is in its active, growing stage, it contains pigment. This pigment absorbs more light energy than the skin around it. When a laser is shined on hair follicles in this active phase, the follicle heats up and dies, while the skin around it only experiences mild heating.

What Laser Hair Removal Feels Like

People typically describe the sensation as similar to a rubber band snap. Since laser hair removal only affects hair in the active phase, more than one treatment is necessary to remove all follicles.

Results You Can Expect With Laser Hair Removal

Laser hair removal results in virtual hairlessness for up to six months and a long-lasting reduction of hair by up to 80% in treated areas. Remaining hairs tend to grow in finer and lighter in color.*

Recovery from Laser Hair Removal

The recovery period after laser hair removal is minimal, and you’ll likely be able to return to your normal activities immediately after the procedure. Depending on the sensitivity of your skin and the strength of the laser being used, you may need an ice pack on the treated area to relieve any light pain.

It’s important to keep the treated areas out of direct sunlight during the course of treatment. The treated skin will be extremely sensitive to sun and heat, so we recommend keeping it covered until treatment is complete.

To learn more about laser hair removal, other cosmetic laser procedures and whether you are a candidate, please schedule a consultation with Dr. Brian G. Widenhouse at Port City Plastic Surgery in Charleston, South Carolina today.