In addition to offering gynecological and primary care services in the Women’s Wellness Clinic, we also have aesthetics! We are excited about the success of our laser hair removal program. Although we have not advertised except to women within our clinic, we have a growing number of women who schedule laser hair removal with us. The best news is that most patients report our Alma laser is literally pain-free, hair-free.
Here are a few questions that patients ask about laser hair removal:
1. Why do I need more than one treatment to remove the hair?
2. Will the hair grow back eventually?
3. Is there a recovery period after laser hair removal?
So let’s tackle these questions one by one…
Why do I need more than one treatment to remove the hair?
Several treatments are needed for laser hair removal because the laser treats only actively growing hair, and only a fraction of hair is actively growing at one particular time. There are four stages of hair growth:
1. Early Anagen (early hair growth)
2. Anagen (active hair growth)
3. Catagen (regression)
4. Telogen (resting, not growing)
Only hair in the anagen stage is removed by laser treatment. So only about 25% of hair is susceptible to the laser at any given time. Typically about 4 to 6 treatments of the area are required to “catch” all of the hair in the anagen phase.
Will the hair grow back eventually?
Once a hair in the anagen phase is treated with laser, it cannot regrow. Some women may need a touch-up treatment every 2 years or so due to hormonal changes or regrowth from those few follicles not treated, but this is infrequent and only for a few hairs.
Is there a recovery period after laser hair removal?
Women are routinely surprised by the fact that there is no recovery time. Following these treatments, women can immediately return to work, school, or normal activities. Most individuals who have laser hair removal report that not only is it pain-free, it is easy and looks great.
Feel free to call us at 919-251-9223 if you are interested in a consultation.
