YAG was developed for several reasons, including the increased demand for inclusivity. All laser hair reduction works by emitting a light beam that targets darker melanin—melanin is found in hair follicles. That energy turns into heat, which then damages the follicle and slow or stops the growth. Laser hair treatment is truly a reduction, rather than a complete elimination, but the results are often good enough that clients can skip or stop hair removal efforts for a prolonged period of time. The only way to stop hair growth for good is via electrolysis, a very painful, expensive, and long process (which is why it is rarely offered anymore).

A History of Lasers

In years past, those with lighter skin tones and dark hair were the ideal candidates for obvious reasons: lasers could easily “tell” the difference between skin color and hair follicle color. This meant that these clients weren’t at risk of harming their skin. Obviously, those with darker skin tones, should they use lasers of the past, were going to have an experience where the laser targets both the melanin in the hair follicle and their skin (as melanin is also what gives skin its pigmentation). The result was a painful experience where the hair might be inhibited, but the skin was also affected—hypopigmentation, burning, and scarring were all unfortunate common side effects when lasering hair of darker-skinned patients before YAG.

Today, lasers like YAG are a lot “smarter” and more advanced. They are able to go past the surface melanin on the skin and target only the melanin in hair follicles. In other words, they can tell the difference between skin and hair. YAG goes deeper into the skin than any other laser deemed safe for darker skin tones, so it further bypasses the skin’s upper layer and is deemed the safest laser for these skin tones.

Getting Ready for Laser Hair Reduction

The first step in laser hair reduction is a consultation, which is always complimentary at our medical day spa. This is where you will be matched with the best laser for you, and if you have darker skin then it’s probably going to be the YAG laser. It’s important to avoid waxing or performing any other hair removal before treatment that removes the hair follicle entirely. Shaving is recommended to enjoy a more comfortable treatment (and so the laser doesn’t “see” longer hairs on the surface). Since lasers like YAG delve beneath the skin’s surface to find the hair follicle, as long as the hair has not been removed entirely, laser skin treatments will still work.

Exfoliating before treatment should also be avoided, such as using retinol topicals. Try to avoid such products or treatments for at least one week before your hair reduction session. Shave within 24 hours before your treatment and ensure skin is dry and clean when you arrive for your appointment. Laser hair reduction is most often described as feeling like a rubber band snapping on the skin and is tolerable for most people. However, for sensitive areas or sensitive skin, a numbing cream may be applied to maximize comfort.

To find out more about the lasers available at our office or to schedule your consultation, get in touch with us today. In addition to laser hair reduction, there are a variety of treatments that can help you get swimsuit ready in time for summer break, such as Emsculpt and microneedling. Simply call Palo Alto Laser and Skin Care to schedule your complimentary consult or, for an even faster response, complete the online contact form.

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It is important to remember that lasers offer hair reduction, not removal. Total removal can only be achieved by electrolysis, which is a very painful, expensive, and long-term procedure. Electrolysis electrocutes the follicles, but figuring out the exact strength needed to “zap” the follicles for good is trial and error no matter how skilled the provider is. In other words, if you go with electrolysis, there’s a good chance you will have to treat follicles multiple times. Plus, electrolysis can only address one follicle at a time. It will take years to remove hair from some areas via electrolysis. However, laser hair reduction can dramatically reduce hair growth quickly and efficiently. Many patients achieve such a drastic reduction that they stop shaving and waxing for weeks, months, or even permanently.

What to Expect with Laser Hair Reduction

Regardless of your skin tone, laser hair reduction is still reserved for darker hairs. Removing blonde hairs, such as peach fuzz, is only achievable via common depilatory methods such as dermaplaning. The removal of darker hairs will require a few sessions of laser hair reduction. The exact number of treatments will depend on multiple factors, but you will get an estimate during a consultation for this treatment. Around six treatments are usually needed, with each appointment spaced one month apart. This means that if you start laser hair reduction right now, you can get the full results in time for summer.

Time between treatments is critical. This allows for new cycles of hair growth. Just like with electrolysis, hairs need to be present in order to be treated with lasers. Hairs do not have to be long, but you should avoid shaving for at least one week before your appointment. Waxing should be avoided entirely while you are undergoing laser hair reduction.

Post-Treatment Expectations

Immediately after laser hair reduction, skin can be pink for a few hours. This usually subsides by the next day. You may or may not notice that hairs are gone right after your treatment, but don’t worry. Even if hairs remain, this is a temporary state. You will start to see improvement one month after your first session. In terms of discomfort, this varies from person to person. Most clients compare laser hair reduction to the snap of a rubber band against the skin. Of course, the area being treated also makes a difference. Laser treatments on the bikini area tend to be less comfortable than underarms. Numbing agents are available for sensitive skin.

If you get laser hair reduction in an area that is exposed to the sun, such as the upper lip or the forearms, it is important to re-commit to sun protection. Even in the winter months, UV rays can do damage and skin is going to be more sensitive after any laser treatment. Although this particular laser is renowned for laser hair reduction, it can also be effective in lessening wrinkles, unwanted hyperpigmentation, and even stubborn types of hyperpigmentation like melasma. This can be an added perk of the treatment, or you may choose to have laser treatment on other areas of the face/body specifically to treat such skin concerns. Regardless, protecting the skin from the sun’s rays after any laser treatment is crucial.

To find out more about laser hair reduction and see if you’re a good candidate, connect with our skin care experts today. Contact us today by calling the office or, for the quickest response, complete the online contact form.

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Those with fair skin tones are best matched to the 755nm Alexandrite Laser, while those with more melanin are a great fit for the YAG Laser. For years, only those with fair skin and dark hair were considered “good candidates” for laser hair reduction, but that has changed with the latest technology. We offer the most powerful, effective, and yet safe lasers available so that you can achieve your hair reduction goals no matter what your skin tone.

Why Not Hair Removal?

Contrary to what some clinics might advertise, no laser can actually “remove” hair permanently.* Lasers can reduce hair, sometimes quite dramatically, but only electrolysis can remove hair for good. However, electrolysis is a very painful, expensive, and time-consuming process. You will definitely spend many hours of your life on electrolysis to achieve the results you want. Electrolysis requires hours of appointments as each individual hair in every follicle is zapped with electricity, and nobody has the time for that.

Laser hair reduction works—and it works quickly. Depending on the density of your hair and the treatment site, most clients are happy after 4 – 6 treatments. You do need to allow time for hair to go through its natural cycles, which is why appointments are often spaced a few weeks apart. However, you will also see some incredible results after just one session.

Laser Hair Reduction for the Ultimate Summer Body

From shorts and tee-shirts to swimsuits and trunks, this is the time of year when you’re showing more skin, and you want it to look and feel its best. Whether you want to treat yourself before summer vacation or are tired of spending too much time shaving before heading poolside, laser hair reduction gives you the greatest gift of all: time. Appointments are fast and easily fit into your schedule. Many clients make lunch hour appointments for laser hair reduction. Since there’s no downtime, you can head right back to your daily routine (though your skin may be a little pink and tender for a day or two).

If you’re looking for hair reduction in Palo Alto, you have a lot of choices—but not every laser is going to perform as you’d like. There are many lasers on the market, and we are committed to always offering the best possible technology to meet all of your skin care needs, including hair reduction. You can use lasers just about anywhere on the face and body, including the legs, arms, underarms, bikini, back, chest, neck, and face. Most people describe the treatment as feeling like a rubber band snapping against the skin, but the laser does not need much time at each site to work. Appointments typically last no longer than half an hour.

Getting Ready for Laser Hair Reduction

Laser hair reduction is so simple that it requires little preparation or after-care. You may be asked to stop shaving and waxing for a short amount of time prior to the treatment. A soothing gel or lotion after each treatment can help increase comfort. Otherwise, no changes need to be made when you get laser hair reduction treatments. Both men and women are getting laser hair reduction treatments in Palo Alto and loving the results. Say goodbye to hours of shaving, expensive waxing appointments, and if you’re one of the few people getting electrolysis, it’s time to discover just how much quicker, more affordable, and effective laser hair reduction can be.

Book your complimentary consultation today, and you’ll be enjoying smoother skin and less time shaving by the end of summer. Connect with Palo Alto Laser and Skin Care today by calling the office or completing the online form and book your consult today!

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Complimentary consultations are available for all treatments, including laser hair reduction. Please note that there is no laser or energy device that is capable of removing all unwanted hair. The only way to permanently remove all hair is through electrolysis, a painful, very long, and costly process. The vast majority of people opt for laser hair reduction rather than electrolysis because in many cases the hair can be reduced to such a degree that shaving or waxing is no longer necessary.

What to Expect with Laser Hair Reduction

There are many lasers that might be best suited to you and your laser hair reduction needs. The exact device is going to depend on your goals, the color of the hair, and your skin tone. No matter which laser hair reduction device (or devices) are selected, clients will need more than one session. The exact number of sessions will also depend on multiple factors, but around six treatments is the average.

You will start to see results after just one treatment. However, the visible hair that is being treated will not instantly fall away. Instead, you will start to notice a reduction in hair growth in the weeks and months following the treatments. Most clients opt for laser hair reduction sessions every month or so, making it an easy procedure to squeeze into your schedule.

Laser Hair Reduction 101

Laser hair reduction utilizes a concentrated light beam (or laser) to remove the hair. During treatment, a light is emitted that is instantly absorbed by the pigment in the hair. The energy turns into heat, which harms the hair follicles and encourages them to stop producing hair. This inhibits growth sometimes for life and sometimes for several months or years. Again, this is why lasers and light devices can drastically reduce hair growth, but not guarantee that it will eliminate hairs forever.

Laser hair reduction typically works best on those with light skin and dark hair, but we have lasers that have been proven to be effective on all skin and hair types. Please keep in mind that future maintenance sessions are often desired in order to sustain results. Laser hair reduction can be used virtually anywhere on the body including the face, arms, legs, groin area, back, and toes/feet.

Get the Best Results with Laser Hair Reduction

There are some things you can do prior to your laser hair reduction treatment to ensure the best results. For example, staying out of the sun is key. Minimizing sun exposure is true for anyone, but undergoing laser hair reduction can serve as a great reminder. You should also avoid lightening your skin before, during, and after your treatments. Other hair removal methods that work from the root, from plucking to waxing, should be avoided at least four weeks before your first treatment. It’s recommended to trim or shave the day before your treatment as this method leaves the hair shaft intact.

Most clients want to know what laser hair reduction feels like, but there is no singular answer. Many people describe it as feeling like a hot rubber band snapping against the skin. For those with sensitive skin (or who are being treated in sensitive areas) a numbing agent can be used to optimize comfort. However, it is widely agreed that any laser hair reduction treatment is much less painful and faster than electrolysis.

Schedule Your Laser Hair Reduction

Although you may see some results after your first treatment, laser hair reduction takes time. Right now is the perfect time to start since the final results will be apparent in time for summer. Schedule your complimentary consultation for laser hair reduction by calling Palo Alto Laser and Skin Care at (408) 688-2082 or completing the online form.

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By the time most clients book their hair reduction treatment, they’ve been thinking about it for a long time. Over a month of your life is a lot to give up. That’s 30+ days of around the clock shaving, waxing, sugaring, tweezing, bleaching, and performing every other hair reduction treatment you may have tried. Time is the most precious commodity we have—laser hair reduction can give it back to you.

What to Expect with Laser Hair Reduction

Everyone responds a little differently to laser hair reduction. That’s why we carry a suite of lasers that are proven to be effective for different skin tones. You can use laser hair reduction anywhere on your body including the face, limbs, back, chest, and groin area. One of the first questions clients ask is whether laser hair reduction hurts, and it certainly doesn’t have to. Most clients describe the sensation as a snap of a rubber band—but that’s only if they don’t request numbing cream or Pro-Nox.

If you tried laser hair reduction in the past and couldn’t stand the discomfort, you haven’t experienced it at Palo Alto Laser and Skin Center. The latest technology is designed to be faster and much more comfortable than technology of the past. Plus, your comfort is our top priority. You can request Pro-Nox for any treatment, including laser hair reduction. This is a blend of oxygen and nitrous oxide that you’re in complete control over. It’s a great option for those with sensitive skin or anyone who simply wants to make their treatments as comfortable as it can be.

Will all the Hair Go Away?

Probably not. Laser treatments reduce hair growth, they do not stop it entirely. Additionally, our bodies will produce more or less hair at different times of our life. Hormone changes are one of the biggest factors in hair production, so you might find that you get a surge of new hair growth during your middle age years (for women, menopause and perimenopause are known to trigger changes in hair growth).

However, many people who undergo laser hair reduction enjoy such a big decrease in hair growth that they don’t need to shave as often—or even at all. The goal for those who opt for laser hair reduction is not to stop growing hair, but rather to reduce the amount of hair growth. Of course, there are some people who may find their treated area produces no hair or almost no hair after their treatment. Everyone is different.

Hair Removal Treatment Numbers

Laser hair reduction will require multiple treatments. This is for numerous reasons, including the fact that your hair grows in cycles. It’s impossible to catch all of your hair follicles in the same cycle during the same hair reduction session. The exact number of sessions every client needs varies, but you will be given an estimate during your first treatment.

Laser hair reduction can give you back not only time, but confidence. Enjoy the freedom to wear clothing you love without worrying over whether you’ve shaved that morning or not. Slip into shorts, tank tops, and bathing suits with a renewed sense of self. Laser hair reduction can positively influence your life in as little as a few lunch-hour long sessions.

Starting Laser Hair Reduction

Right now is the best time to schedule laser hair reduction so that you can see serious results by the time spring and summer arrive. Since laser hair reduction does take a little time to work (results are not immediate), starting sessions now will increase the odds of final results falling perfectly during the warmer weather ahead. Make 2021 the year you get back those hours lost in 2020 thanks to laser hair reduction. Connect with Palo Alto Laser and Skin Care to schedule your laser hair reduction by calling (408) 688-2082.

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