Unwanted hair is something that both women and men experience. That’s one of the reasons for the enduring popularity of laser hair removal—at our Anchorage, Alaska, practice, and throughout the U.S. But even though it’s among the most popular nonsurgical cosmetic treatments performed each year, certain myths about the treatment persist.
Unfortunately, this misinformation results in people sticking with the hassle of shaving, waxing, or tweezing unwanted hair instead of getting laser hair removal treatments.
Laser Hair Removal Myths
With patients researching cosmetic treatments on the internet or social media platforms, inaccurate or partly accurate information spreads quickly. Once a certain idea is seeded, it can be difficult to uproot. In this post, we’ll explore the most common myths that have been widely circulated about laser hair removal treatments.
Treatments are painful—People have different levels of pain tolerance, of course, but relatively few patients describe their laser hair removal treatments as painful. There is some discomfort—one common description of the sensation is that it feels like a rubber band snapping against the skin. Additionally, topical numbing agents and skin serums significantly minimize discomfort.
Laser hair removal isn’t permanent—Even though all hair follicles are not removed, the results are extremely long-lasting and affect 75% to 90% of follicles. Laser hair removal is often referred to as a “semi-permanent” treatment, and even when some hair grows, back it’s typically less dark and thick than it was before.
It’s not safe—Stories about patients getting burned continue to perpetuate the idea that laser hair removal isn’t safe. Advances in technology have made this type of experience very rare, especially when the procedure is performed by highly trained and qualified laser technicians.
It only takes one or two sessions—Laser hair removal works by targeting hair follicles in their active growth stage. Hair actually grows and sheds in 3 stages. Because not all hair follicles are in the growth stage (the anagen phase) at the same time, multiple treatment sessions are needed to get the desired results. Most patients schedule 4 to 6 treatments.
You can’t get treatments during the summer—You can get laser hair removal at any time during the year. People with tanned skin may not get the same results because it is more difficult to target follicles. It is important to avoid prolonged sun exposure in the weeks leading up to a treatment.
Many of the patients who come to our practice for laser hair removal also schedule other med spa treatments, such as microdermabrasion or facials. If you’ve been looking for a med spa in Anchorage for laser hair removal or other treatments, contact us using the online form to request a consultation or call us at (907) 279-8800 to schedule an appointment.