Diode Laser Hair Removal

Diode laser hair removal is a popular method of hair removal that utilizes a diode laser to target and destroy hair follicles. It is known for its effectiveness, precision, and long-lasting results.

What Is Laser Hair Removal?

Don’t waste any more time plucking, waxing, shaving, or chemically removing unwanted hair growth, and go for the definitive solution, which is laser hair removal.

In this procedure, a laser essentially removes hair by vaporizing it. The laser also takes care of the underlying hair follicle, preventing it from growing back.

After the hair follicle is taken care of, it doesn’t grow back. But patients need several sessions of laser hair removal to truly be hair-free, as it’s not a one-and-done procedure. We tackle this and other facts about it here.

How does diode laser hair removal work?

Diode laser hair removal works by emitting a concentrated beam of light that is absorbed by the melanin pigment present in the hair follicles. The absorbed light in diode lasers is converted into heat, which damages the hair follicle and inhibits its ability to produce new hair. The surrounding skin remains relatively unaffected because the laser targets the dark pigment in the hair follicle, sparing the surrounding tissue. This form of laser hair removal is an effective treatment for all skin and hair types.

It is also different from IPL Laser Hair Removal, which utilizes intense pulsed light (IPL) technology. It’s important to note that IPL is not a laser treatment.

Laser Hair Removal Myths

Advancements in laser hair removal technologies have made this procedure safe, effective, and affordable for men and women seeking to enhance their skin. However, misinformation is still a problem, and it’s good to set expectations clearly for any potential patient.

  • 1st myth: It’s not permanent hair reduction. In a majority of cases, hair that has already burned will not grow again. The laser hair machine will target and deactivate the hair follicles, prohibiting growth. But this requires several sessions because not all hair is present at the time of the first session, and in some cases, hormones can cause hair to resurge in other areas. Several visits to the hair removal clinic are needed to ensure every hair is taken care of.
  • 2nd myth: Only women get their hair removed by laser.Not true. While most laser hair removal patients are women, it’s also common for many men. Men typically get laser treatment for their back, shoulders, underarms, neck, chest, bikini area, legs, and even face in the cases of men who naturally don’t have much facial hair anyway.
  • 3rd myth: It hurts. Most patients only feel warm pinpricks or as if someone snapped a rubber band against their skin for an instant. Nonetheless, patients will receive a numbing gel to help with any extra sensitivity a patient might have on their skin. It takes half or a complete hour for the gel to take effect. We at Renew MD use only the latest laser technology to remove hair, which comes with cooling systems designed to alleviate any discomfort.
  • 4th myth: It only works for people with fair skin. Not at all. It works on all skin types! Laser hair removal is an option for people of any skin tone and type. What is true is that the machine will detect darker hair the easiest because it provides the most contrast with any skin color.

What Are The Best Areas to Get Laser Hair Removal?

Where can you point the laser and zap the hair away? That is a common question for people curious about the procedure, and the answer is that almost all areas of the body are candidates for laser hair removal thanks to the fact that the hair reduction technology is gentle, even while being very effective. Laser hair removal is most common in the following parts of the body:

  • Legs
  • Back
  • Upper lip
  • Chin
  • Sideburn
  • Bikini area
  • Brazilian (including the labia)
  • Buttocks
  • Toes
  • Stomach

Frequently Asked Questions About Laser Hair Removal

Modern medicine has found many important uses for lasers in treating all sorts of problems with skin, hair, nails, and other parts of the body. These advancements in dermatology have made procedures like laser hair removal extremely safe. For example, before, only people with dark hair and light skin could use the treatment, but the technology can now be safely used for any skin tone. The procedure is carried out carefully in any case and under the supervision of a dermatologist.

Your hair will be burned and gone immediately. However, removing hair from an area completely takes a couple of sessions. Even more so if it’s from a large area, like the back or legs, other factors, like hair thickness and color, the type of laser, and skin color, also can affect the results, but overall, each treatment session will leave you with a 10 to 25 percent reduction in hair.

You’ll need about two to six sessions to fully remove the hair from any large area. Even if it regrows after a few months or years, there will be less of it, and it’ll be finer and lighter.

While you could experience some redness and swelling after your first laser hair removal treatment, you don’t require any downtime. A majority of patients return to their everyday activities.

The most common side effects are discomfort, swelling, and redness, lasting for one to three days. Remember to follow the dermatologist’s instructions, both before and after the treatment, to reduce the side effects as much as possible.