It’s not often talked about, but men have beauty standards that they want to achieve, too. While women may openly complain about unwanted body hair, men tend to be a little quiet about the issue – but the fact remains that many men have unwanted or excessive body hair that they feel self-conscious about. Fortunately, the experts at Tru-Male Medical in Oak Brook, IL understand that laser hair removal can be an excellent option for men who want to achieve a certain aesthetic.
So, why would men want to have laser treatment for hair removal? In truth, these treatments for men are typically sought not because men want the complete removal of body or facial hair, but because men want this hair to be thinner or have a finer texture. Men who have excessive, thick, dense, or coarse body hair may all consider laser treatments to achieve a more refined appearance.
How Long Does Laser Hair Removal Take?
The length of your laser hair removal treatments will usually depend on how many areas of the face or body are being treated. A typical treatment session will take about 30 to 60 minutes to complete, but your appointment could be longer if you’re treating larger areas, such as the back, or multiple areas, such as the chest, back, and arms during the same session.
How Many Treatments Will You Need?
The number of treatments required for your hair removal or hair reduction will depend on the areas being treated. Generally speaking, you will need several successive treatments to reduce body hair growth and get the results you want. For the body, you may need six to 10 treatments, while for the face you may require at least eight to 10 treatments.
We will be able to estimate the number of treatments you will need based on factors such as your hair type, hair density, skin tone, and skin sensitivity. Those who have medium to dark skin tones and those who have very dense hair may require additional treatments simply because the laser technology will need more time to treat each hair follicle. Those who have lighter body or facial hair may also require additional treatments.
How Frequent Are Treatments?
Your laser hair removal treatments will usually be spaced about four to six weeks apart. This is the ideal treatment frequency since it allows your skin to recover from the laser treatment and gives plenty of time for your hair follicles to shed treated areas or start growing new hairs. Sometimes, the frequency of your treatment will be determined by your skin sensitivity; if you have sensitive skin, then your treatments may be more spaced apart.
When Will You See Results?
Most men will usually start to see early results in only a few weeks. About one to two weeks after your treatment, hair in the treated area may start to fall out or shed, which is expected. You can help this process along by doing manual exfoliation, such as with a washcloth in the shower. Over time, your results will continue to improve with additional treatments.
Because every man has unique treatment goals, you should be sure to discuss your treatment expectations with Dr. Marshall so your treatment plan can be customized to your aesthetic desires. If you want to permanently remove unwanted hair, then you will need more treatments and it will take more time to see results; if you want to reduce hair growth, then you may need fewer treatments to get the results you want.
How Can You Maintain Results?
In general, hair growth is dictated by your genetics and your hormone levels. Hair also grows on a perpetual cycle, which is why treatments like this one can be so effective since the heat generated by the laser will disrupt the natural cycle of your hair follicles. Over time, enough thermal damage to the follicle will change the way the hair grows, making your hair thinner, sparser, or finer.
But how do you maintain results? For men who don’t have the goal of removing hair completely, you may only need to have a maintenance appointment once every few years to keep your body hair at your desired texture and density. For men who want to remove body or facial hair entirely, it may be a good idea to schedule yearly maintenance appointments to keep hair growth reduced or stunted.
What Do You Need to Know About Laser Hair Removal With Vectus?
Laser treatments with the Vectus system are effective, yet gentle. Vectus is designed specifically for the removal or reduction of high-volume hair or hair on large surface areas. This makes the Vectus laser unique to other laser treatments since this means treating larger areas will take less time and sometimes even fewer treatments.
Vectus is also a highly flexible system that allows the laser width and heat to be customized to your exact needs. This system also includes technology that keeps the skin comfortable during the laser treatment, making your sessions exceptionally well-tolerated. This laser system works the same as any other by using laser light on pigmented hair, which then converts to thermal energy in the hair shaft to “zap” or stun the hair follicle. Over time, this damages the follicle and permanently removes hair, or changes the quality of hair growth on the face or body.
Where Can This Treatment Be Used?
Most laser systems for hair removal are versatile enough to be used on virtually every area of the face and body. In particular, men may use this treatment to remove unwanted or excessive hair on the chest and back. Some men like to reduce hair growth on the forearms and underarms, while others may want to remove hair on the legs. This system is also sensitive enough to be used on the face to reduce facial hair growth, such as on the upper lip.
What Is Treatment Like?
Laser treatments are very simple. Before your treatment begins, your hair will be trimmed to an ideal length so the laser system can perform effectively; if you prefer to shave any treatment areas, please do so at least three to four days before your appointment so you have adequate hair growth. While the laser system is being used, you will wear protective glasses. The treatment will usually feel similar to snapping rubber bands or prickles of heat on treatment areas.
Should You Prepare for Treatment?
Yes, you will need to take some steps to prepare for your treatment. Laser treatments perform most effectively on skin that is undamaged, so you should protect any desired treatment areas from sun exposure for at least one to two weeks before your treatment. Wearing adequate SPF will also prevent pigmentation concerns after the laser treatment. You should also be sure to avoid self-tanning products and tanning beds.
You should not wax, tweeze, or use any harsh chemicals on your skin at least three to five days before your treatment. Not only does the laser system need visible hair to work effectively, but these activities can also make the skin sensitive, cause skin irritation, or possibly delay your treatment.
What Should You Do After Treatment?
After your treatment, you should continue to avoid unprotected contact with the sun by wearing SPF on any treated areas for at least two weeks after your treatment. You should continue to avoid harsh chemicals, tanning beds, and other potentially skin-irritating activities, including excessive heat, hot water, saunas, and excessive sweating. You should do your best to keep any treated areas moisturized.
Do You Have a Recovery Period?
Laser treatments do not have a formal recovery period. As long as you follow your aftercare guidelines, you should be able to return to work and your normal daily activities immediately after your treatment. Most men go back to work, exercise, or complete errands on the same day as their treatment.
Get the Results You Want Quickly
Most men are good candidates for laser hair removal treatments, including those with medium to dark skin tones, sensitive skin, and lighter body hair. This treatment is ideal for men who have unwanted or excessive body hair, particularly on areas such as the back, chest, and forearms. The Vectus system is highly effective yet gentle enough to be used on the face to reduce hair growth, as well. Please contact Tru-Male Medical in Oak Brook, IL to schedule your consultation appointment today.
