Why Starting Laser Hair Removal Now Will Give You Flawless Skin by Summer

Shaving is a tedious but necessary task to keep your skin smooth, hair-free, and attractive. You can wax but, ouch, that hurts. 

When it comes pesky chin hairs or unsightly cheek fuzz, tweezing can do the trick when you see the hairs. But it’s often not until you find a long, curly, black hair hanging out on your chin that you can pluck it. 

But there’s another option. Laser hair removal makes it possible to skip shaving or at least reduce the frequency with which you need to shave, wax, and pluck. It’s simply a better way to have smooth, hair-free legs, armpits, and bikini lines. 

Laser hair removal also can eliminate hair on your face, arms, abdomen, and areolas. 

At Los Gatos Dermatology, board-certified cosmetic dermatologist Bruce Saal, MD, and our team use the latest laser technology, including the Candela GentleMAX™, to permanently eliminate unwanted hair from your body and face. 

Now is the right time to start laser hair removal treatments if you want to feel confident in shorts, bathing suits, and sundresses this summer. Here’s why.

You need to avoid the sun

You must avoid exposing your skin to the sun for about two weeks before and after laser hair removal. This is because tanned skin can increase your risk of hyperpigmentation, which means patches of your skin get dark. 

Sun exposure can also increase your risk of skin sensitivity during and after the treatment. What better time to cover your skin than during the cold winter?

You must stop other hair removal practices

We advise you to avoid plucking or waxing for about four weeks before your treatment. Allowing the hair to grow ensures that there is an active hair follicle for the laser to destroy. Plucking and waxing remove the hair follicle temporarily, but you want to eliminate it permanently.

It takes between three and seven sessions

Hair grows on a cycle, and each follicle is on a different growth cycle. To ensure that all the hair in the area we’re treating is exposed to the laser, your hair needs to go through several growth cycles. That way, we ensure that we target all of the hair.

Starting treatment now gives you enough time for all of the necessary sessions before summer.

Sessions must be spaced out

Because you need to wait for the hair to grow in during each growth cycle, we space out your appointments every four to six weeks. If you start laser hair removal treatments, you’ll have enough time for all of your sessions to be spaced out properly.

Are you ready to start laser hair removal so that you can be hair-free by summer? Call us at Los Gatos Dermatology in Los Gatos, California, to schedule an appointment today.