Mok-dong Laser Hair Removal: Precautions by Area, Organized for You <Written by a Doctor>

Mok-dong Laser Hair Removal

Precautions by Area, Organized for You

<Written by a Doctor>

Mok-dong Laser Hair Removal

Hello.

I am Kim Jin-hyun, Chief Director at You&I Clinic Mok-dong Branch.

Many people say that even after shaving, waxing, or using hair removal cream, hair grows back quickly over time, which makes maintenance annoying.

Because of that, more and more people are steadily considering laser hair removal at dermatology clinics these days.

So, by what principle does laser hair removal actually work?

And are there different precautions depending on the treatment area?

Today, I prepared this post to answer those specific questions about laser hair removal in detail.

From here, let’s take a close look at laser hair removal :)

Table of Contents

• What is laser hair removal?

• Characteristics by hair removal area

• Can laser hair removal permanently remove hair?

Mok-dong Laser Hair Removal

What is laser hair removal?

Laser hair removal works on the principle that melanin pigment contained in hair absorbs laser light of a specific wavelength, converting it into thermal energy,

and that heat selectively destroys the follicle tissue, thereby suppressing hair growth.

In other words, it is a treatment based on the theory of selective photothermolysis.

Rather than affecting the entire skin surface, the laser is absorbed more concentrically by melanin in the hair follicle area, causing thermal damage.

Melanin

This makes it easier to protect the surrounding skin surface outside the target area, and the thicker and darker the hair with more densely distributed melanin pigment, the better the laser energy can be absorbed.

Many people are also concerned that laser procedures may be painful.

During consultation, depending on pain sensitivity and the treatment area, topical anesthesia or cold compresses may be used before the procedure to help reduce discomfort.

So I would like to say that there is no need to worry too much about pain.

Mok-dong Laser Hair Removal

Characteristics by hair removal area

The area people want to treat varies from person to person, right?

However, because skin thickness, hair thickness, color, and pain sensitivity differ by area, the treatment method inevitably varies as well.

In the case of facial hair, it is often thin or light-colored, which lowers melanin absorption and may make changes appear more slowly.

If the hair is relatively thick, some people may notice changes after around 5 to 6 sessions, but if it is truly thin or mainly fine hair, more than 8 repeated sessions may be needed.

In addition, facial skin is highly exposed and sensitive, so after the procedure, sun protection and soothing care need to be carried out more thoroughly.

For women, hormonal changes can also affect hair growth, so depending on the individual’s condition, the treatment interval and intensity need to be carefully adjusted.

Underarm hair removal, which many people want, tends to involve relatively thick and dark hair, so the laser absorption rate is also relatively high.

So compared with the facial area, changes can often be observed more quickly.

If you trim the hair to a short length with self-shaving 1 to 3 days before the procedure, the laser can act more effectively on the follicles.

For women, many also want arm and leg hair removal because shaving every day is troublesome.

Arms and legs cover a large area, and hair thickness varies by part, so to achieve even results, it is important to perform repeated irradiation evenly.

The calves have relatively thick and dark hair, so laser treatment may work more quickly, whereas the lower arms may have thinner hair and therefore require more sessions.

These factors should be carefully assessed before treatment, and a systematic plan should be made.

Also, if you wear short sleeves or shorts right away, sun protection is essential.

Continued exposure to ultraviolet rays can cause side effects such as pigmentation, so caution is necessary.

Mok-dong Laser Hair Removal

Can laser hair removal permanently remove hair?

This is probably the part many people are most curious about.

Can permanent hair removal really be achieved?

Unfortunately, it is not a procedure that makes hair stop growing 100% for life.

However, it can make hair stay in a state where it does not visibly regrow for a certain period of time.

The reason is related to the hair growth cycle.

Not all hair is in the same growth phase at the same time.

The laser works particularly well during the anagen phase, so treatment should target that phase.

Some hair is in the anagen phase, while some is in the resting phase, so the laser cannot damage all follicles uniformly.

That is why, even with repeated treatments, follicles that were in the resting phase may become active again and allow hair to grow.

To account for this variation, more than 5 sessions are usually recommended.

In addition, constitution, hormones, and lifestyle habits also affect how well hair removal is maintained.

Some people have an extremely thick-hair constitution, or are prone to hair regrowth due to hormonal changes.

In such cases, periodic treatments and more careful maintenance are needed.

In general, after treatment, more than 70% to 90% of hair is significantly reduced, and the goal is to reach a state where the burden of daily hair removal such as shaving and waxing is greatly decreased.

Rather than having overly high expectations that not a single hair will grow at all, please remember that laser hair removal is intended to significantly reduce visible hair and slow regrowth so that maintenance becomes easier. That way, you will likely be much more satisfied with the procedure.

To summarize, laser hair removal should be performed repeatedly over time while considering the hair growth cycle, and it is important to carefully adjust the laser intensity, treatment interval, and number of sessions depending on the area.

So even for a hair removal procedure, a customized plan should be established by thoroughly considering the individual’s skin tone and hair characteristics.

With that in mind, I hope you find a dermatology clinic that suits you well and ultimately achieve the results you want.^^

This was Kim Jin-hyun, Chief Director at You&I Clinic Mok-dong Branch.

Thank you.

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