Liberate yourself from the constant need to shave and wax unwanted facial and body hair in order to feel and look your best. With light-based permanent hair reduction, just a few simple treatments is all it takes to permanently minimize hair growth, revealing clear, silky skin that’s ready to bare every day – and all year long. Call (713) 468-5200 today and schedule your Laser Hair Removal session with Alfonso Barrera M.D.!
How does laser hair removal work?
Unlike shaving that lasts days, waxing that needs to be repeated every few weeks indefinitely, or electrolysis that’s tedious, permanent hair reduction is a lasting solution that takes away the everyday hassle of dealing with unwanted facial and body hair.
The secret lies in the light-based technology that targets and destroys hair cells responsible for hair growth without harming surrounding skin. It’s a simple approach to permanent hair reduction that’s fast, easy and FDA-cleared.
Best of all, treatment sessions take just minutes and are practically pain-free. It’s the hair removal solution you’ve been waiting for.
There are two keys to laser hair removal: melanin and the hair being anchored in the hair follicle. Melanin in your hair provides the hair color (it also gives our skin its color). When laser light energy pulses are directed onto an area of unwanted hair, the melanin absorbs the laser light energy, and it converts to heat. That heat then travels down the hair shaft into the follicle damaging the follicle and preventing it from producing hair.
What’s the benefit of having laser hair removal?
There isn’t a person on the planet that enjoys the tedium of shaving, plucking, waxing, or using harsh depilatory creams to get rid of unwanted hair. Plus, the irritation is magnified because two or three weeks later you get to do it all over again!
Getting rid of unwanted hair is not only a never-ending chore, but it also costs lots of money over time. The costs of a lifetime of shaving your legs have been estimated at about $4,000. Waxing sessions? Over $9,000 over a lifetime.
With laser hair removal, you have some upfront cost, but then you’re free from the need to remove from 85 to 90 percent of the hair for good. Plus, the above cost estimates for shaving and waxing don’t include the time spent. What will you do with the countless hours you won’t now have to spend shaving, plucking, and waxing?
Dr. Barrera’s patients love laser hair removal. It’s safe, easy, and really effective. All you have to lose is that pesky unwanted hair.
Who is an ideal candidate for laser hair removal?
Make the Move to Permanent Hair Reduction. Ideal for:
- Faces
- Underarms
- Arms
- Legs
- Back
- Bikini area
- Chest
Permanent hair reduction is available for any skin type and most hair colors.
Is laser hair removal permanent?
First, lasers only damage hair in the anagen (growth) cycle. But hairs can also be in the catagen (transitional phase between growth and rest) or the telogen phase (resting). The catagen and telogen phases involve stopping nourishment to the hair, shedding it, and restarting a new hair shaft. That’s why lasers don’t affect hair in these phases; they’re already on their way out. And the laser energy can’t get into the follicle to damage it. Every hair on the human body is independent and works alone. Considering that the human body has around five million hairs on it (men have a few hundred thousand more than women), those are a lot of hair follicles to hope to catch in the anagen phase for effective laser removal.
Second, damaged follicles can rebuild with hormonal changes. Plus, if a follicle is only partially damaged, it may heal and begin to regrow hair.
Bottom line, numerous studies show the degree of permanent hair reduction to be from 85 to 90 percent. That’s why the FDA approval for laser hair removal is for “permanent hair reduction.”
How should I prepare for my laser hair removal sessions?
There are certain things we ask our laser hair removal patients to do prior to their sessions. Shaving is good, but here are some other dos and don’ts.
- Avoid sun exposure — If you have a tan, you need to let it fade before coming in for your session. As a rule, we advise patients to not have any sun exposure on the areas with unwanted hair for 4-6 weeks prior to their session.
- Avoid plucking, waxing, and electrolysis — For the laser energy to get down into the follicle, the hair needs to be actively anchored in the follicle. Plucking, waxing, and electrolysis all disturb the follicle. Shaving is fine, as it doesn’t affect hair in the follicle.
- Clean your skin — The treatment areas need to be free from cosmetics, lotions, and creams. If you’ve applied deodorant and are having your underarms treated, we will remove it prior to your session.
- Certain skincare products — Certain anti-aging skincare products can cause irritation when interacting with the laser energy. These include alphahydroxy acid, salicylic acid, benzoyl peroxide, and others. We’ll discuss these with you and tell you want to avoid for a few days before and after your appointment.
Does laser hair removal hurt?
When the laser delivers its pulses, it feels like a small rubber band is snapped against the skin. To keep you comfortable, we apply a topical numbing cream prior to your session. Also, our laser has a cooling mechanism in the tip of the handpiece. This monitors your skin and helps ensure your comfort. After your treatment is complete, we apply a topical steroid and ice to help with any post-treatment discomfort.
Are there any side effects with laser hair removal?
Lasers have been used for laser hair removal for almost 30 years, and the process was extensively tested prior to becoming commercially available. Laser hair removal has proven to be reliable, effective, and safe. It is one of the most popular cosmetic treatments not just in Houston but all around the globe.
The most common side effects after treatment include skin irritation, such as redness and slight swelling on the treatment sites. This usually passes within a few hours.
What People Say About Us!
“I want to take this opportunity to thank each and every one of you at Dr. Barrera’s office for the wonderful care I received. I am very impresses at the level of professionalism exhibited and the tremendous standards of care!”
– Erika C.”
Click here to read more reviews.
Schedule a laser hair removal consultation in Houston, TX!
If you wish to learn more about how laser hair removal works, or if you wish to schedule an appointment with Dr. Alfonso Barrera, then give us a call today at (713) 468-5200. You can also fill out the form in our contact page, and our staff will help you set up your appointment. We look forward to serving you!
