CALL TODAY: A full head of hair is a plus but excessive hair on your chest, back and ears is not! Waxing is painful, shaving leaves stubble and in grown hair and neither is permanent. Dr. Walder offers laser hair removal for men.
The laser hair removal, it’s minimally invasive, much less painful than waxing, and safe. The big benefit of laser hair removal compared to other options is that results are, for the most part, permanent.
Benefits & Common Treatment Areas
The benefits of laser hair removal are clear—no need to shave or use any other type of hair removal, such as waxing. For men, the most common areas of hair removal include:
- Back
- Chest
- Stomach
- Shoulders
- Pubic area
Some men don’t want complete removal of hair in the treated area, but just a less profuse growth, especially on the chest and back.
Laser Hair Removal Consultation
Before the first laser hair removal session is scheduled, prospective patients must come into Dr. Walder’s Miami Beach area office for an in-person consultation. Dr. Walder will evaluate your hair growth and goals, and give you an overview of the treatment process. She will also assess your candidacy, answer any questions you have, and help you decide whether or not laser hair removal is right for you.
Ideal Candidates
Due to the way the laser seeks out pigment in the hair, the ideal candidates for laser hair removal have dark hair and light skin. However, that does not mean that other patients are not eligible for the treatment. Candidates should be willing to undergo several treatments, be in general good health, and have realistic expectations about the results of laser hair removal.
Procedure
For about 6 weeks before the treatment, you should make sure you are staying out of the sun as much as possible and use sunscreen diligently to avoid tanning your skin. Tanned skin makes it harder for the laser to zero in on the pigment in the hair. You should avoid shaving, waxing, or depilatories during the preparation for treatment. Treatments generally take about 30 minutes each, though small areas can take just a few minutes and large areas up to an hour. The skin is prepared with the application of a cool gel to protect it during the procedure and help the laser target the hair. The laser is switched to the proper settings, according to your skin and hair type, and the device targets the unwanted hair in the area. Hair absorbs the light, which destroys the pigment in the hair and prevents it from growing back. The device works quickly, which minimizes discomfort throughout the process, though patients usually describe the sensation as similar to a series of snaps from a rubber band.
Laser Hair Removal Recovery
The specialized lasers used for targeting unwanted hairs are extremely advanced, and can do their job without harming the skin in the treated area. This makes for an easy recovery following each treatment. For the first few days after each session, patients will feel sunburned. Patients can use moisturizers and cold compresses to help with the discomfort. It is very important that the skin continues to be protected from the sun throughout the entire process of hair removal. The treated hair will fall out gradually, and sessions are usually scheduled about 6 weeks apart.
Choosing the Right Doctor
Laser hair removal can be a more complicated procedure than you might think, and successful results depend on the skill of the doctor performing the procedure. You should be especially careful in selecting your provider if you have dark skin or very light hair, as it takes an experienced doctor to be able to produce great results for patients with these attributes.
Dr. Diane Walder is a board certified cosmetic dermatologist, and has an in-depth knowledge of working with all skin types on cosmetic procedures. If you are interested in discussing your options for laser hair removal, then call Dr. Walder’s Miami office and set up a consultation appointment.
Related procedures: Laser Hair Removal, Laser Resurfacing
FAQs
Will I see results in one session?
You will see some reduction in hair growth after each treatment. However, because hair grows in cycles, it is impossible to destroy all of the hair roots in one treatment. The number of treatments depends on the location and type of hair being treated. Typically, 4-6 treatments four weeks apart are necessary to achieve desired results.
Is laser hair removal safe?
Modern lasers are very safe when used by a skilled dermatologist or plastic surgeon. Complications are rare, and choosing the right provider can further reduce your risks.
Can the hair ever come back?
Technically, because the hair follicle is still left intact, it is possible to have hair grow back after a while, but it is not common, and the results from laser hair removal last a very long time. Touchup procedures can be performed periodically to maintain results.
Does laser hair removal hurt?
Laser hair removal is uncomfortable, but most people find the sessions to be tolerable—many describing the sensation as similar to a series of snaps from a rubber band.
Is laser hair removal safe for all skin types?
Laser hair removal’s success does depend on hair and skin tone. The easiest combination of hair to remove is dark hair on fair skin. Gray and white hair cannot be removed with a laser, due to the lack of pigment, and there is only one type of laser that works for patients with dark skin.
