I Never Want to Shave Again: Is Laser Hair Removal My Answer?

Laser hair removal is an incredibly popular cosmetic treatment, ranking within the top five non-surgical cosmetic procedures. And it’s not hard to understand why so many people choose to get this highly effective aesthetic treatment. 

Getting rid of unwanted body or facial hair through methods like shaving, plucking, or waxing can be tedious, time-consuming, and sometimes expensive. Once you feel like you finally have it all removed, it just grows right back. Plus, you may have to deal with unwanted side effects of shaving and plucking, like razor burn or ingrown hairs. 

If you’re tired of going through the steps of conventional hair removal, laser hair removal could be right for you. At Butterfly MedSpa and Wellness in Spring and The Woodlands, Texas, Ben W. Cilento, MD, MHA, and our team offer laser hair removal for Houston-area patients — taking the stress and worry of removing unwanted areas of body and/or facial hair off your plate. 

Here’s what you need to know about this cosmetic treatment. 

How does laser hair removal work?

Laser hair removal relies on heat and light to “switch off” active-growth hair follicles. The lasers can do this by using a process called selective photothermolysis, which allows the laser to target things with lots of pigment, such as dark body hair. 

After the laser finds the hair, the heat from it travels down the hair and into the hair follicle, effectively deactivating it. Once the follicle is deactivated, hair won’t grow back in that spot. 

However, hair has a few different stages of growth, including resting, active growth, and shedding. If your hair isn’t in the active growth stage during your treatment, the laser can’t deactivate it. This is why it takes a few laser hair removal sessions to fully stop all hair in a specific treatment area from growing back.

What to expect during your laser hair removal session

When you come in for laser hair removal at Butterfly MedSpa and Wellness, our team discusses your aesthetic goals and explains what you can expect from the whole process. You can choose to get as much or as little body and/or facial hair removed as you’d like. 

Common areas people choose to have hair removed from include:

• Legs
• Armpits
• Bikini area
• Upper lip
• Chin
• Chest
• Back

On the day of your hair removal session, you sit back in a comfortable chair and put on goggles to protect your eyes from the laser. Your provider uses a handheld device to direct the laser’s energy to the targeted area. 

You shouldn’t feel any pain, but if the laser’s mild “snapping” sensation ends up being too uncomfortable for you, we can apply a topical anesthetic to improve your comfort. 

For a few days after your session, the treatment areas might be mildly sore or tender. You can apply cool compresses and take over-the-counter pain relievers to help with any unpleasant side effects. 

We highly recommend scheduling periodic maintenance sessions down the road to keep the desired results. 

Ready to put shaving, plucking, and waxing behind you? Start the laser hair removal process today. Schedule your first session by calling your nearest Butterfly MedSpa and Wellness office or using our easy online booking feature.