Is a Laser Hair Removal painful?

Laser hair removal may cause a little discomfort, especially in sensitive areas. It’s often described as the feeling of a gentle snap from a rubber band. It’s important to keep in mind that everyone handles pain differently, and we all have different pain thresholds, so what doesn’t bother one person may be a little more noticeable to another. Luckily, newer technology and cooling methods help ease some of that discomfort.

How many appointments will I need?

Everyone is unique, and the number of appointments required to fully remove the hair from your unwanted areas can be impacted by a number of factors. On average, effective laser hair removal requires 6-8 treatments. People who aren’t interested in totally removing their hair need fewer sessions, like someone who gets one or two sessions on their beard to make it more manageable. Some patients require more treatments than others to eliminate stubborn hair because of things like age, hair texture, skin type, the amount of hair, and hormone levels, which may affect hair growth over time. The length of time recommended between sessions will also depend on your treatment area and how quickly your hair grows back there.

How long until I see results?

Laser hair removal results can take days or weeks to begin shedding your unwanted hair. This may appear as continued hair growth, but this is normal. Allow the treatment some time for the hair removal progress to begin. Because hair growth and loss occur naturally in a cycle, the laser treatment is most effective when hair follicles are in the new-growth stage which is why repeated treatments are necessary.

Can I combine Laser Hair Removal with other procedures?

You can! Combine our hair removal procedure with other med spa treatment options to achieve the best, brightest you.

What are the risks associated with Laser Hair Removal?

The risks and side effects associated with laser hair removal may differ depending on factors like hair color, skin type, and your personalized treatment plan. Adherence to the recommended pre-treatment and post-treatment care can also help prevent side effects or risks associated with laser hair removal. The primary side effects of laser hair removal include: Temporary discomfort, irritated skin, redness, and swelling are all possible side effects after receiving a laser treatment. Any symptoms or signs of side effects should recede within several hours. Laser hair removal may also darken or lighten the targeted skin by affecting the pigment. It’s critical to avoid sun exposure before and after receiving your treatment as any changes in your skin’s pigment may be temporary or permanent. Skin lightening primarily affects those with darker skin tones. In rare instances, laser hair removal can cause alterations to skin texture like scarring, blistering, or crusting. Some other uncommon side effects can include the treated hair turning gray or excessive hair growth near the treated regions, especially for individuals with darker skin tones.

Laser Hair Removal Orlando & Lake Mary

Introduction

Introduction to Laser Hair Removal

Removing unwanted hair can be a pain – quite literally. Whether you shave or wax, temporary hair removal methods become timely and expensive over the years which is why millions of men and women turn to laser hair removal as a more permanent hair reduction method. At Soma Plastic Surgery just 30 minutes north of Orlando, FL in Lake Mary, our team of specialist providers along with Dr. Papanicolaou will help guide you toward your best, most confident self.

What is Laser Hair Removal?

Laser Hair Removal is a common medical procedure for unwanted hair removal among men and women all over the country. Laser hair removal works by using a concentrated beam of light that is absorbed by the hair’s pigment. Once the light energy converts to heat, the hair follicles are damaged which then inhibits or delays future hair growth.

Multiple laser hair removal sessions are necessary to see the best results, and some maintenance treatments may be required as well. Using our top-of-the-line Sciton laser, we can confidently remove unwanted hair on all skin types.

What are the Benefits of Laser Hair Removal?

Laser hair removal in the Orlando area is an effective and lasting way to remove your unwanted hair, unlike temporary and time-consuming methods like shaving or waxing. Common benefits of laser hair removal treatment include:

Boosts confidence by removing hair in unwanted areas for a soft, smooth feel all the time.
Helps prevent ingrown hairs like folliculitis.
Prevents irritation caused by shaving or waxing.
Saves time and money without the need for temporary hair removal like shaving or waxing.

Who are the Best Candidates for Laser Hair Removal Procedure?

All skin types can benefit from Laser Hair Removal, so if you’re tired of shaving so frequently or the pain of being waxed, you may be the perfect candidate. It is recommended to stay out of the sun and avoid sun exposure before and after your treatment.

Keep in mind, that the laser targets the melanin in your hair pigment, so the treatment may not work as well on blonde, red, or gray hair. It used to be that the best candidates for laser hair removal have lighter skin and darker hair as the contrast allows the machine to pick up the hair follicles easily. Luckily, with the advancement of technology and equipment, we’re able to treat every skin type at Soma Plastic Surgery in Orlando.

What’s the First Step?

If you’re ready to give up your time-consuming, temporary hair removal methods, the first step toward achieving your hair-free dreams is to schedule your consultation with us today!

Ahead of your first laser hair removal treatment, Dr. Papanicolaou or one of our specialized providers will talk you through a consultation to see what areas you’re interested in treating. You can expect a brief discussion of your medical history and lifestyle, so please be honest and open with your history and goals to prevent any unnecessary risks or side effects, and to help us achieve your desired result.

Once you’ve determined the areas you want to treat and schedule an appointment, you must follow the instructions below ahead of your laser hair removal treatment to help avoid any risks or side effects.

Avoid being in the sun before and after treatment, and apply a broad-spectrum SPF 30 when you do go out.
Avoid sunless tanning creams and lotions that can darken your skin and affect your pigment.
Avoid other methods of hair removal for at least four weeks before treatment, such as waxing, plucking, or electrolysis. These methods can disturb the hair follicles that are needed for the laser to be able to pick up and target for an effective treatment.
To prepare the treatment area, we recommend trimming or shaving the day before your laser session. This step removes the hair above the skin, which could otherwise burn during the treatment leading to damaged skin. However, the hair shaft beneath the surface remains intact, so it can still be detected and targeted by the laser instrument.

What to Expect on the Day of Laser Hair Removal

During the procedure, a licensed technician will use a hand-held laser instrument to target your unwanted hair follicles. This instrument will have a cooling tip for comfort, and the aesthetician will use a cooling gel to further protect your skin and minimize the risk of side effects. A pair of specialized goggles will also be provided to protect your eyes from the laser.

The length of the procedure will vary depending on the size of the treated areas. Small areas like the upper lip can last only a few minutes, while larger areas like the back might take over an hour.

Laser Hair Removal Recovery

After your laser hair removal appointment, you may notice some swelling and redness around the treated areas. To limit discomfort, you can apply ice or a cold pack to your treatment areas to reduce swelling and irritation. Avoid sunlight and direct sun exposure before and after your treatment and between scheduled treatments. We also recommend using a broad-spectrum SPF 30 sunscreen daily. Do not use a tanning bed for at least 6 weeks post-treatment, or as directed by Dr. Papanicolaou and his team of specialists, as this can be harmful to the skin.

Effective laser hair removal typically requires around six treatment sessions, with varying intervals of time in between each session depending on the treatment area. For example, areas where hair growth is quick, like the upper lip, would be treated every 4 weeks. For an area with slower hair growth like the back, treatments would be every 12 to 16 weeks.

Cost

How Much

How Much Does Laser Hair Removal Cost in Orlando?

The cost of Laser Hair Removal in Orlando can vary widely depending on the size and number of areas you want to be treated and the number of sessions required for optimal results. The cost associated with the specific needs of your personalized laser hair removal treatment can be discussed during your initial consultation.

Soma

Why Choose Us?

Why Choose Soma Plastic Surgery?

At Soma Plastic Surgery, you’ll always be met with compassion. We’re here to make sure you look and feel like your finest self. Dr. Papanicolaou is an expert in his field as a Double Board Certified Plastic Surgeon, and he leads his team of specialists with high standards and passion. His years of experience and training have allowed him to excel in the field of cosmetic and reconstructive surgery.

Photo of Soma Plastic Surgery office building

Schedule Your Consultation

If you’re ready to get rid of your unwanted hair for good and save yourself the hassle of temporary hair removal methods, it’s easy to schedule your consultation today by contacting us via the website, email, or phone.

Laser Hair Removal FAQs

Laser hair removal may cause a little discomfort, especially in sensitive areas. It’s often described as the feeling of a gentle snap from a rubber band. It’s important to keep in mind that everyone handles pain differently, and we all have different pain thresholds, so what doesn’t bother one person may be a little more noticeable to another. Luckily, newer technology and cooling methods help ease some of that discomfort.
Everyone is unique, and the number of appointments required to fully remove the hair from your unwanted areas can be impacted by a number of factors. On average, effective laser hair removal requires 6-8 treatments. People who aren’t interested in totally removing their hair need fewer sessions, like someone who gets one or two sessions on their beard to make it more manageable.

Some patients require more treatments than others to eliminate stubborn hair because of things like age, hair texture, skin type, the amount of hair, and hormone levels, which may affect hair growth over time. The length of time recommended between sessions will also depend on your treatment area and how quickly your hair grows back there.
Laser hair removal results can take days or weeks to begin shedding your unwanted hair. This may appear as continued hair growth, but this is normal. Allow the treatment some time for the hair removal progress to begin. Because hair growth and loss occur naturally in a cycle, the laser treatment is most effective when hair follicles are in the new-growth stage which is why repeated treatments are necessary.
The risks and side effects associated with laser hair removal may differ depending on factors like hair color, skin type, and your personalized treatment plan. Adherence to the recommended pre-treatment and post-treatment care can also help prevent side effects or risks associated with laser hair removal. The primary side effects of laser hair removal include:
- Temporary discomfort, irritated skin, redness, and swelling are all possible side effects after receiving a laser treatment. Any symptoms or signs of side effects should recede within several hours.
- Laser hair removal may also darken or lighten the targeted skin by affecting the pigment. It’s critical to avoid sun exposure before and after receiving your treatment as any changes in your skin’s pigment may be temporary or permanent. Skin lightening primarily affects those with darker skin tones.
- In rare instances, laser hair removal can cause alterations to skin texture like scarring, blistering, or crusting. Some other uncommon side effects can include the treated hair turning gray or excessive hair growth near the treated regions, especially for individuals with darker skin tones.

TestimonialsWhat our patients
have to say

Eve F.

Dr Papanicolaou is the best! Very knowledgable and caring! So glad I found him! I definitely recommend putting your trust in him. Awesome office staff. They make you feel like family. Cant say enough good things about the whole staff.

C.V. Fig

Dr. Papanicolaou is the BEST Plastic Surgeon in Central Florida. He is smart, caring and honest.. I have been his patient for over two yrs. His staff is available, responsive and accommodating. They treat you like family. I feel very fortunate and grateful that I found Dr. Papanicolaou. He helped me during a very difficult process.

Yamile K.

Dr. Papanicolaou exceeded my expectations, he is a master at his craft, the entire process was relatively painless, his nurses are amazing, so caring. Also the Florida surgical center was great, they treated me like a princess. Overall I cannot be happier with my experience, I highly recommend Soma Plastic surgery.

Sheila O.

Dr. Papanicalou and staff are exceptional. The process was smooth from beginning to end and I am so pleased with the results. Very natural and as close to perfect as possible. I highly recommend Dr. Papanicalou!

Swandra W.

Dr. P and all of the staff are wonderful. They were amazing to me at the most vulnerable time in my life. I am thankful to have such caring, thoughtful, skilled, knowledgeable and talented human beings to reconstruct the damage that cancer caused. Forever grateful.

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Laser Hair Removal in Orlando