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Laser Hair Reduction is an investment, an investment in both time and money. But if living your best life includes slipping into your swimsuit with smooth, stubble-free skin or being able to shirtless with out feeling conscientious about back hair, then Laser hair reduction might be an investment in yourself that is worth making.
The laser targets the melanin (dark pigment) in the hair shaft. The melanin absorbs the light energy, heats up the hair structure and damages or destroys the follicular stem cells which rescinds the follicle’s ability to reproduce hair. It is important to recognize that not all follicles produce hair at the same time. Hair grows in cycles; some follicles are in an active growth stage (antagen stage), while others are in a dormant or sleeping stage (Talogen stage), and yet others are in an in-between or transition stage (catagen stage). Dormant hair will not be affected by the treatment because hair / pigment must be present to transfer the energy to the follicle to destroy it.
What does all this mean? It means that Laser Hair Reduction is not a one & done type treatment. Since only the hairs in a growing stage can be successfully treated, multiple treatments are needed to treat each follicle in its growth stage. The length of growth cycles are different in different areas of the body. For example, a growth cycle for the upper lip, chin, bikini, or underarm areas is usually every 6-8 weeks but the growth cycle for legs is more like 12-14 weeks. So, you should plan on investing several months times into meeting your hair free goals.
Patients often ask if laser hair reduction is painful. The answer is yes, it can be mildly uncomfortable, but still tolerable. I would say it’s more uncomfortable than plucking but less painful than waxing. Some areas are more uncomfortable than others. Areas like the face, shoulders and legs tend to be more comfortable than say the bikini line where the hair tends to be denser and more course. The good news is we can apply a topical numbing ointment to help make it more comfortable in those sensitive areas like the bikini line or underarms. The first treatment is typically the most uncomfortable, and it tends to get better with each treatment as there is less target for the laser to go after and the hair grows in softer, lighter in color and less course.
With all that being said, I think Laser Hair Reduction is a total game changer! It is certainly one of the best things I have done for myself! I no longer battle shaving bumps in the areas I have treated. Not being a slave to shaving is quite liberating! I would much rather spend my time doing things that DO NOT include that shaving. As far as the financial investment, when I look at what I have saved by not buying razors and replacement heads not to mention wasting less water in the shower, I believe the financial investment is easily justified.
Roxanne Grace
Skincare and Laser Specialist
G. D. Castillo, M.D.
COSMETIC PLASTIC SURGERY
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217-359-7508 Savoy (Champaign-Urbana)
look their best. But they feel like they have wasted a lot of time and money experimenting with different products, just trying to narrow down what works and what doesn’t for them.
There are also a few long holiday weekends like Columbus Day and Thanksgiving. This is a good time to have body contouring with
the signs of a recent facelift or forehead lift. Big, comfy sweaters can hide slower movements that are necessary just after breast surgeries, 
scheduling liposuction, tummy tucks, breast surgery and mommy makeovers. Patients are looking ahead to late spring and summer and want to get their body in check before heading to the beach, going to class reunions, weddings, vacations, or just having less clothing to conceal their areas of concern. It is also a great time for those who couldn’t fit a facelift, brow lift, rhinoplasty into their winter schedule because you can still conceal with a big spring hat, scarf and sunglasses for the first few days if you have bruising or swelling to cover.
outside and you are accustomed to protecting your skin from the sun depending on your lifestyle, if you’re someone who already restricts the amount of sun exposure you get, or if you are willing restrict the time you spend outside for awhile, it can be a good option.
During this camouflage appointment, you also learn how to prevent future sun damage and how to properly maintain your new radiant, smooth skin in the short term and in the long term. It will be imperative that you avoid sun exposure for the next 6 months, as your skin will be very sun sensitive. This means we recommend you always use a wide-brim hat, UV protective sunglasses and apply Castillo MD Skin Science Physical Defense, Prime Defense or Sun Defense sunscreen when going outside or traveling in your vehicle. When applying sunscreen, apply one layer, let it dry, then apply an additional layer before going out.
