Many people have unwanted hair and are tired of having to stay on top of constant waxing, shaving, and plucking. If you’re interested in lasting hair reduction, laser hair removal may be something worth considering. At ALC Med Spa in Gurnee, IL, we offer this as one of our cosmetic treatments. We would be happy to help you understand the process and whether you could be a good candidate.
Different factors can affect how many laser hair removal treatments you need. Most patients need at least five treatments for lasting results. Due to the hair growth cycle, only around 10 to 20% of the treated hair is receptive per treatment. We like to space our treatments out to match up with the hair growth cycle. For the face, we recommend that treatments are delivered about every two months, while the body may be treated around every 10 weeks.
Since the needs of each patient can vary individually, we are pleased to offer our one-year service guarantee. After your fifth session with us, this guarantee will cover any additional treatments you need for an entire year, so we can make sure you get the results you want. After that, we still offer our patients one free maintenance session each year if they find themselves in need of a touch-up down the line.
Laser removal is very popular for good reason, and the right laser can offer results that last for the long run. It’s more accurate to refer to laser hair removal as permanent hair reduction rather than permanent hair removal.
That said, thorough treatment should lead to thorough results. While you may experience some very fine and rare hair growth after your series, this hair should be extremely easy to manage. Some patients don’t feel a need for follow-up appointments, while others do. If you have any concerns about hair growth after treatment, we would be happy to go over your expectations in detail.
We use the LightSheer DUET by Lumenis, which is considered the gold standard of laser hair removal technology. This system improves upon several shortcomings that other lasers may have. The DUET system has a larger spot size combined with vacuum-assisted technology; both of these factors help the hair follicles absorb the laser’s energy more effectively. This helps drastically decrease the treatment times, sometimes up to 75%.
This system also boasts an impressive range. It can be used for all skin types, since we can adjust the treatment parameters for each patient to fit their needs. This is a serious improvement compared to many lasers that cannot be used for all skin tones.
While a series will help set you up for lasting success, you may start to notice results after just one treatment. Two or three weeks after your treatment, your hair may start to shed out. The hair in the treated area will also begin to either stop growing or slow its growth rate. As you continue through the series, the closer you get to your final treatment, the more you should notice that your hair has stopped growing back.
A consultation is an important way to start off on the right foot. This is when you’ll be able to ask all your remaining questions, and we’ll be able to talk through your goals and the process in more detail. Once you have the information you need, and we determine whether you’re a good candidate, we can plan out your treatments together.
A day or two before your first appointment, you can shave the area we’re going to treat. Shaving allows the hair follicles to remain in place, so the laser will still have hair to target. On the other hand, we would ask that you avoid plucking and waxing before your appointment so the roots of your hair will be available for treatment.
After we talk through your expectations and set up the right treatment plan for your needs, we can get you all set up for your first appointment. Eye protection is usually used during treatment.
The laser energy will be delivered by our hand-held system, which we will use to accurately target the areas you specify for us. As your hair follicles absorb the laser’s energy, it will damage those follicles and limit their ability to produce hair in the future.
Our laser system is able to deliver treatment as fast and effectively as possible. Some appointments may be quite short if the treatment area is very small. Other appointments may take up to an hour.
Either way, we will strive to make the process seamless and comfortable as we deliver treatment. You may find that listening to music, a podcast, or an audiobook are all good ways to unwind and enjoy some “me time” during your appointment.
Life is busy, and scheduling treatments can be a hassle. It’s true that our laser’s effectiveness helps make our appointments as fast as possible, but the fact that you won’t have to worry about required downtime also helps in making these appointments easy to schedule.
When most people think of laser hair removal, treating the legs is often one of the first areas they consider. It’s common for people to want to show off their legs without worrying about missing a section of hair during shaving, or dealing with eventual stubble after waxing. Leg hair can be a time-consuming inconvenience. Having it treated more effectively can give patients a greater sense of spontaneity and peace of mind.
The underarms are right up there with the legs when it comes to popular treatment areas. When you’re in a rush, it can be easy to forget to shave under your arms, or even shave one and not the other. During warmer months, you may want to be able to hit the beach or wear sleeveless shirts without having to worry about whether your arm hair is making an appearance.
Some patients also find that treating this area helps them feel and smell fresher for longer. This hair may serve to trap odors, and without any hair or stubble, patients could find themselves feeling cleaner.
Some people want to completely remove the hair on their arms. Others want to thin it out so that the hair growth on their arms is still present but less noticeable. Feel free to let our team know what you’re hoping for, and we can let you know if our laser system is a good fit for you.
Hair on the back can be tricky to shave on your own; it can be easy to miss patches if you don’t see where you’re shaving. Waxing is an option, but it’s not much more convenient than shaving since you either have to set everything up correctly at home, or you have to consistently schedule waxing appointments.
Regardless of your gender, if you have back hair that’s bothering you, we would be happy to help you with a lasting treatment that can offer peace of mind and the ability to leave back hair in the past.
This area can be sensitive, and some patients find that shaving it leaves them with ingrown hairs, razor rash, or generally irritated skin. One of the best benefits of laser removal is it doesn’t contribute to ingrown hairs. It can actually help treat ingrown hairs, which makes it an excellent option for removing hair along the bikini line.
Many patients don’t want to risk ingrown hair on their chest or are afraid to shave the area due to skin sensitivity. This can also make waxing a challenge. If you want to reduce chest hair, feel free to reach out to us. Depending on your needs, laser removal could be the solution you’ve been hoping for.
Unwanted hair can spring up all throughout the face. It’s common for patients to struggle with unwanted hair along their jawline, chin, and upper lip in particular. Patients may have anxiety over shaving this hair and worry about how it may look as it grows back. This treatment can help patients achieve even results and say goodbye to unwanted facial hair growth.
When it comes to picking a treatment, meeting with us in person is the best way to get personalized input. We’d be happy to talk about your goals and expectations so we can help you to the best of our ability. Contact us at ALC Med Spa in Gurnee, IL, today to set up your consultation!
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