We all love silky smooth, hair free skin. What we love a little less is the endless shaving, painful waxing, and pesky ingrown hairs. If you wish you could stop the never-ending battle against unwanted hair growth, you’re definitely not alone.
Thankfully, laser hair removal in Woodbury, MN, can save the day (and save your skin)! At Uplift Aesthetics, we strive to help our patients enjoy smooth, hair-free skin with this powerful laser treatment.
But we know you have questions—like, “does it hurt?” “how long does it last?” and “will I finally be free from my razor forever?” Don’t worry—we’ve got all the answers! Keep reading as we break down everything you need to know about laser hair removal.
What is laser hair removal?
Laser hair removal, also known as “laser hair reduction,” uses highly concentrated light to penetrate and destroy hair follicles in a noninvasive procedure. The pigmented hair absorbs the laser light emitted during the treatment in the follicle. This process generates heat, which damages the hair at the follicle level, inhibiting future hair growth.
This treatment effectively reduces and removes hair in every area, including:
- Face
- Arms and underarms
- Neck
- Hands and feet
- Legs
- Back
- Stomach
- Chest
- Bikini area
Our team at Uplift will personalize your treatment plan to target the areas you want to address!
The Hair Growth Cycle
Laser hair removal in Woodbury, MN, works most effectively when you follow a regular treatment regimen. Your hair follows a repeating growth cycle. Each time a new hair grows, it goes through three distinct phases, with the hairs on your body constantly cycling through different stages.
The growth stages are:
- Anagen: the growing stage. The root of the hair is the largest and darkest at this stage, which typically lasts about 2 to 3 weeks, depending on how long the hair will eventually grow. Laser hair removal works most effectively during this stage, as the heat transfers best when the hair is at its darkest.
- Catagen: the transitional stage. During this phase, hair growth stops and follicles shrink. This process only lasts a few days.
- Telogen: the ‘resting’ stage. Laser hair removal cannot treat hair at this stage of the cycle, since the hair becomes fully detached from the follicle. Hair does not stay in this phase for a set amount of time, but it is the last phase before your hair sheds and re-enters the anagen stage.
Because of this cycle, laser hair reduction treatments only affect certain hair follicles at certain stages of your growth cycle. To fully reduce hair growth, you need multiple sessions to target all follicles as they take turns independently cycling through the anagen stage.
Smooth Talk: Laser Removal FAQs
Have you been thinking about laser hair removal but have a few questions before ditching your razor? We’ve gathered the most common FAQs to help you understand the process and what to expect on your journey with laser hair removal in Woodbury, MN.
Is laser hair removal safe?
When performed by experienced technicians, laser hair removal is a completely safe procedure for hair reduction. Currently, there are no long-term health risks associated with this treatment. However, keep in mind that you get the safest and most effective treatment when you choose trained professionals in a clinic setting.
At Uplift Aesthetics, our nationally certified laser technician and aesthetician offer the safest laser treatment possible.
Does laser hair removal hurt?
Everyone has different levels of pain tolerance, so the laser hair removal experience varies from person to person. But most people find treatment tolerable, saying that it feels like snapping a rubber band against the skin.
We prioritize your comfort at Uplift, so we apply a cooling skin gel to the treatment area before you begin your laser hair removal session.
Along with that, we use the highly advanced Diolaze laser for treatment sessions. This laser has cooling technology integrated in the device head to help minimize any discomfort you may experience.
How many laser hair removal sessions will I need?
Laser hair removal is most effective on hair in the active growth phase—the anagen phase of the cycle. It would be nice if all our hairs aligned their growth cycles, but unfortunately, they don’t.
Since hair grows in different stages, we recommend multiple laser hair removal sessions, usually 9 to 12 treatments spaced 4 to 6 weeks apart.
With each progressive treatment, you’ll notice the hairs in the treatment area growing finer, sparser, and more slowly. If you commit to your full treatment plan, you’ll notice a reduction in overall growth. Some patients even see their hair growth stop altogether.
Is laser hair removal effective for all skin tones and hair types?
Laser hair removal in Woodbury, MN, works by precisely targeting the dark portions of the hair follicles. Patients with high contrast color differences, like dark hair and lighter skin, often respond best to this treatment.
However, patients with other hair and skin color combinations do have laser hair removal choices. The laser used at Uplift is safe for all skin types and pigments. However, certain hair colors may not respond as well to treatment
Our team will assess your hair color to determine which treatment options can help you meet your goals. Laser technology has advanced drastically over the years, and it can reduce hair more effectively than ever before.
Does laser hair removal work for men?
Yes! Both men and women can benefit from laser hair removal. Some common treatment areas where men seek laser hair removal include:
- Back
- Arms
- Neck
- Stomach
- Chest
- Beard area
Uplift Aesthetics will customize a treatment plan based on the unique needs of each client, regardless of their gender.
How should I prepare for my appointment?
Our team recommends a few preliminary steps before your first laser hair removal appointment. Following these pre-care instructions helps you to maximize your results while keeping your skin healthy throughout the treatment process.
To prepare for laser hair removal, we recommend you:
- Limit your sun exposure before the treatment.
- Apply a sunscreen of SPF 30 to 50 every time you go out.
- No sunless tanning products for at least 2 weeks prior.
- Stop waxing or plucking your hair for 4 weeks before the treatment.
- Avoid sensitizing products (like harsh exfoliants) for at least 1 week prior.
- Arrive at your appointment with the treatment area shaved, shaving the hair about 24 hours before your appointment.
How long does a laser hair removal session take?
The length of your laser hair removal session depends entirely on the treatment area. Small areas like the upper lip can take only a couple of minutes, while larger treatment areas can take closer to 30 minutes.
Our team at Uplift will discuss treatment length with you once you determine what areas you want to treat with laser hair removal.
What should I expect after a laser hair removal treatment?
After your treatment, your skin may feel a little more sensitive than usual. We recommend avoiding direct sun exposure and wearing proper sun protection when you plan to be in the sun for a prolonged period.
Some patients also experience some mild redness after the treatment, but this typically subsides on its own within a day or two. To help reduce any unwanted irritation to your treatment area, we recommend:
- Avoiding direct sun exposure for several weeks.
- Avoiding any perfumes or deodorants that may irritate the treated skin.
Applying aloe or hydrocortisone to the treatment area if needed.
Are the results of laser hair removal permanent?
If you follow the treatment schedule crafted by our team at Uplift, you can enjoy significant reduction in hair growth. Some clients can achieve near-permanent results. You may need maintenance sessions to keep your best results for longer.
Our team at Uplift can discuss realistic expectations for lasting results with laser hair removal in Woodbury, MN. If you want to know more about the consultation process, and what it looks like to get laser hair removal at Uplift, check out our guide on laser hair removal in Maplewood, MN, to learn about the treatment process—from consultation to results.
Should anyone avoid laser hair removal?
Though this versatile treatment works effectively for many skin types and tones, some conditions may disqualify you from receiving laser hair removal, such as:
- Being pregnant and/or breast feeding.
- Being actively tanned.
- Having recently applied fake tanner.
- Having active skin infections.
If any of these apply to you, laser hair removal may not be the best option for your hair removal needs. During your consultation, our team will discuss your eligibility and potential alternative treatments.
Smooth Skin, Zero Regrets: With Laser Hair Removal
In Woodbury, MN, it’s time to ditch shaving and waxing once and for all. With laser hair removal, you can enjoy smooth, hair-free skin without the razor burn and the constant maintenance of other methods. Contact our team at Uplift Aesthetics to begin your hair removal journey alongside certified laser technicians.
Book a consultation to get started with this highly advanced treatment. If you want to learn more about other treatments we offer at Uplift, check out our treatment planner tool to get matched with treatments based on your personal needs.
