If you’re like most people, you probably spend hours and hours getting rid of unwanted hair through shaving, waxing, or threading — hours you could be using to do something you really enjoy.

But besides being time-consuming, traditional methods can be expensive, too, if you add up the costs over the years. But guess what? Laser hair removal can fix both those problems with just a few office visits. Data shows more than a million laser hair removal treatments are performed annually in the United States.

At Woodlands Wellness and Cosmetic Center in The Woodlands, Texas, our team uses advanced laser hair removal methods to get rid of unwanted hair on the legs, arms, back, chest, and just about anywhere else on the body. And if you start treatment now, you can enjoy sleek, sexy skin by the time summer arrives.

Here’s how our laser hair removal treatment can work for you.

The basics of laser hair removal

Laser hair removal uses precisely targeted beams of laser energy to damage hair follicles to prevent hair growth in the treated areas. During your treatment, the laser device emits a focused stream of laser energy directed at each individual hair.

The hair absorbs the laser energy and transports it to the follicle. The heat from the energy beam acts on the follicle, damaging it, so it’s unable to produce hair in the future.

In order to absorb enough laser energy, your hair has to have some pigment or color in it. In the early days of laser hair removal, treatments were most effective on people with light skin and dark hair. But today’s lasers can be used to successfully remove hair on people with almost all skin tones and hair colors.

While you’ll definitely see a difference after one laser hair removal treatment, you’ll need a few treatments — typically 4-6 — to get the best results. That’s because hair grows in stages, and to be really effective. The laser needs to treat each follicle during its growth stage.

Different hairs can be in different stages of the hair growth cycle, so in order to make sure every follicle is treated at the best time, you’ll need multiple treatments spaced over several weeks.

Getting ready for treatment

Before each laser hair removal session, you’ll need to let your hair grow, and you’ll need to avoid plucking and waxing. That’s because your hair needs to have a little length in order to absorb enough laser energy to be effective. You’ll also need to avoid tanning, either naturally or using a tanning bed.

Most people say laser treatments feel a bit like plucking a rubber band against your skin. If that sounds uncomfortable, you can take an over-the-counter pain reliever before your visit or apply an ice pack to your skin.

After treatment, your skin will look a little pinkish, similar to the way it looks after a mild sunburn. The redness will go away soon after your treatment. Once your session is over, you’ll need to stay away from direct sunlight to avoid irritation.

Your skin will be extra-sensitive to the effects of the sun after your session, so it will also be important to wear sunscreen every day. Since your skin will be a little stressed, you’ll also need to avoid strenuous physical activity for the first day after your treatment.

Sexy skin by summer

Since laser hair removal requires a series of treatments for the best results, scheduling now will allow you to be done by the time summer arrives. It may also be easier to avoid the sun now if you’re spending more time indoors.

If you’re ready to say goodbye to unwanted hair forever, our laser hair removal treatments could be the solution you’re looking for. To learn more about laser hair removal, book an appointment online or over the phone with Woodlands Wellness and Cosmetic Center today.

Meet The Doctor

Hormone Specialist

A fellowship-trained physician, Sakina Davis MD, FAARM, ABAARM, provides outstanding care to her patients.

Meet The Doctor

Board Certified Emergency Medicine

With nearly 20 years of experience, George Davis MD, FACEP, has expertise patients can trust.