Boost Your Immune System This Cold and Flu Season With IV Therapy
It’s officially cold and flu season — are you ready? Learn how intravenous (IV) therapy can boost your immune system and give you some extra protection against these common illnesses.
A Hairy Situation: Laser Hair Removal
Shaving and tweezing are two hair removal options, but you have to do them over and over again, which can become time consuming. If you want to remove unwanted hair, laser hair removal should be an option you’re considering. Being one of the most common cosmetic procedures, it’s useful for removing unwanted hair from the face, legs, arms, underarms, bikini lines, and back – without taking up too much of your time each week.
What is Laser Hair Removal?
Laser hair removal is the use of light to target pigment in individual hairs on the body. By using a highly-concentrated light, the laser can travel down the hair and target the hair follicle. The heat from the light kills the hair follicle and prevents any more hair growth. This hair removal method is popular because it can remove unwanted hair from pretty much any area of the body.
How is it Different From Other Methods?
This option differs from other hair removal methods because, while they all work towards the same goal, this uses advanced technology to target the follicle below the skin’s surface.
Waxing works by pulling the hair out at the root, but leaves the follicle alone. This is why hair continues to grow back, no matter how many waxes you get.
Shaving works by using a blade to cut the hair right at the skin’s surface, but that hair is still growing underneath and pops up as soon as the next day with some people.
Laser hair removal is the only option that targets the follicle and is more low maintenance after a while.
The Process
Laser hair removal is a fairly simple process, but it can take some time. The appointment can begin by applying a topical numbing agent about half an hour before the procedure begins.Then, as WebMD explains, the equipment will be adjusted based on the patient’s hair (the color, thickness, and location). Next, after putting on appropriate eye protection, the treatment will officially get started. A cooling device, like a cold gel, will then be applied to the skin to help the skin better absorb the light. The patient will then receive pulses of light from the laster on the area of the body they’re having treated.
After the appointment, you can relieve the minor pain you could feel by using ice packs, anti-inflammatory creams, or cold water. Follow up appointments are scheduled about a month out, and will continue until the hair is slower to grow back. Sometimes, never growing back at all.
Is Laser Hair Removal Permanent?
This method is a long-term hair removal treatment. Over time, some patients notice that after regular treatments the hair can quit growing altogether. However, it’s more common to see some minor regrowth of hair in your treated areas. It all depends on the patient.
Benefit vs. Risk
Having hair removed by laser often provides patients with more pros than cons. The pros of laser hair removal are:
- It save you time as you won’t have to shave every couple of days
- Saves you pain every couple of weeks, unlike waxing every month
- Gives you smooth, soft skin
- It’s precise, so you’ll never leave home noticing you missed a spot
- Lasers can be used on most any body part: face, arms, legs, back, bikini area, and more
- Less ingrown hairs
- Saves you money in the long run
However, some patients might note some cons or risks involved with laser hair removal. Dr. Saleemi will be able to discuss any of your fears or concerns about receiving laser hair removal. The risks can be:
- Irritated skin for a couple of days after the treatment is done
- More prone to sunburns in the weeks following
- Blistering
Make an Appointment with Dr. Saleemi
If you’re in the Austin, Texas area and interested in laser hair removal, make an appointment with Interventional Pain Associates. With several laser services in addition to hair removal, you will find that we have all the technology to help you achieve that youthful look again. Call now for an appointment: (512)-795-7575.
You Might Also Enjoy...
Fibromyalgia Pain Control: How Effective Is Ketamine Therapy?
Ketamine therapy may help you get short-term relief from your fibromyalgia pain. Learn more about ketamine therapy, how it works, and how it might help you.
5 Different Medications for Managing Chronic Pain
When chronic pain infiltrates every aspect of your life, you may try anything to stop it. Learn about some of the different medications available for chronic pain, how they work, and how they might benefit you.
Understanding Spinal Stenosis: What Your Diagnosis Means
Spinal stenosis means there’s narrowing in the spinal canal, the cavity in the spine that contains your spinal cord. If you’re diagnosed with spinal stenosis, you may have concerns. Learn more about this spine condition and how it's treated.
5 Signs Your Neck Pain Needs Medical Care
Neck pain isn’t always a serious health problem and may go away with at-home care. However, there are times when neck pain is serious and needs medical attention. Learn what signs of neck pain can benefit from a visit to the doctor.
Can Botox Injections Help My Migraines?
Research shows that Botox injections reduce the frequency and severity of migraine headaches. Can Botox injections help you? Learn more about Botox and how it helps migraines so you can decide.