Laser Hair Removal in Bellevue & Kirkland

The removal of unwanted body hair is often part of our daily routines. Shaving, waxing, plucking, and other methods are all commonplace. For patients who no longer want these activities to be part of their everyday life, or who have unwanted hair in places it may be difficult to get rid of, laser hair removal offers a way to see long lasting and frequently permanent results. Laser hair removal requires a professional to administer safely and correctly. Northwest Face & Body offers the best laser hair removal Bellevue and Kirkland offers.

How Does Laser Hair Removal Work?

Laser hair removal uses concentrated beams of light to prevent hair follicles from growing hair. Like many other laser procedures, it relies on melanin. During treatment, the laser’s light beams are absorbed by the pigment in your hair. It targets the hair follicles via the melanin produced in your hair.

Once it reaches the hair follicle, the light energy is converted into heat where it damages the follicles to inhibit future hair growth. Laser removal requires multiple sessions to target your hair at all stages of growth. As an example, at your first session, only a portion of hair follicles are treated because hair follicles can lay dormant for weeks. Hair follicles alternate on which produce hair and which do not. This explains why multiple sessions are required for the best results.

Treatment Areas:

Bellevue laser hair removal is safe and effective nearly anywhere you have unwanted hair, including the face and bikini area. Among the treatment areas offered at Northwest Face & Body include:

• Chin
• Upper lip
• Lower lip
• Neck
• Underarm
• Cheeks
• Feet
• Bikini
• Lower leg
• Upper leg
• Lower back
• Upper back
• Chest
• Lower abdomen
• Brazilian

Other treatment areas are possible depending on your goals. Based on the size of the treatment areas, you may also be able to undergo the procedure for multiple areas during the same sessions.

Benefits Of Hair Removal In Bellevue

Laser hair removal comes with many notable benefits. Not only can it provide lasting hair removal, but it also can save you money and time in the long run. Benefits of laser hair removal can include:

• Removal of unwanted hair
• Long lasting and often permanent
• Discontinuation of shaving and waxing
• No longer needing to buy razors or other hair removal products
• Prevents ingrown hairs
• Cessation of side effects from shaving like razor bumps
• Low risk procedure
• Hypoallergenic
• Procedure usually takes no more than an hour
• Scarring extremely rare
• Benefits in transgender transition and can alleviate gender dysphoria for some patients (especially male to female)
• Little to no pain
• Longest lasting hair removal option currently available

The Treatment

At Northwest Face & Body, only licensed master estheticians perform laser hair removal. As skin experts with training in both the medical and aesthetic side of esthetics, our master estheticians offer the best laser hair removal in Bellevue and Kirkland.

Consultation & Preparation:

Before undergoing laser hair removal at Northwest Face & Body, you will meet with a master esthetician for a consultation. At this consultation, your master esthetician can determine if you are a good candidate.

First, your master esthetician will want to know what areas you want to focus on and your goals. Next, they will ask about your medical history and lifestyle as it pertains to the procedure. Finally, they may conduct a physical examination of the skin and hair in the treatment areas. At this point, they will conclude if you are a good candidate.

If you are an ideal candidate, your master esthetician will create a customized treatment plan. This will likely include the treatment areas, the initial number of sessions, and anything specific to your laser hair removal in Bellevue. You will also receive a price quote personalized to the number of areas and sessions.

To prepare for your session, your master esthetician will likely ask you to shave the treatment area(s) the day before the session. If the laser targets longer hairs, this can put patients at a higher risk of burns. Also, it is advised that you avoid the sun, do not fake tan, and keep the area clean before your appointment.

The Procedure:

At your Bellevue laser hair removal appointment, your master esthetician will adjust the settings of the laser to fit your hair color, hair type, and the needs of your skin. Your master esthetician will then run the medical grade laser across the treatment area(s).

Patients usually do not find treatment overly painful. You may feel some pinching and heat, but nothing too painful. Depending on the size of the treatment area and the number of areas, laser hair removal can take anywhere from 20 minutes to one hour or more.

Aftercare:

After laser hair removal in Bellevue, your master esthetician will give you instructions on how to care for your skin to promote the best results. Instructions may include:

• Avoid exercise, hot showers, saunas, or anything that may cause you to sweat or get hot for around 24 hours after treatment
• Do not go out in the sun and wear sunscreen
• Gently exfoliate after about five days
• Attend your next sessions

At Home vs. Professional Laser Hair Removal

A variety of at home laser removal devices and kits are available. They are initially tempting because it allows you to do it yourself at home. Are these devices effective? Are they safe?

The answer to both of these questions is no. Lasers sold in stores for hair removal often are not as strong or customizable as professional lasers. While they may come with a few settings, every person receives the same treatment. With professional laser hair removal, the laser settings are personalized to fit you. This reduces the risks of burns and promotes the best results.

Also, at-home laser devices run the risk of burns or permanent skin damage. Master estheticians are trained in laser procedures, including hair removal. Their skill reduces the chances of burns or other risks.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who Is A Good Candidate?

Most healthy people are good candidates for laser hair removal. Our lasers can treat people of varying skin types and hair colors. Due to the small amounts of melanin in blond, red, gray, and white hair, some people with these hair types may not be good candidates. People with fair skin and light hair run a higher risk of burns and often do not see ideal results. Some people with lighter hair colors are candidates. It depends heavily on your skin tone and hair type.

Additionally, if you are or have been on certain medications recently, the treatment may not be advisable. A free consultation with a master esthetician can determine if you are a good candidate.

How Many Sessions Will I Need?

The number of sessions you will need depends on many factors like the treatment areas, hair type, and growth cycles. Generally, patients see long lasting results after four to six sessions. It is not uncommon for patients to see initial results after their second session. Usually, once you finish your sessions, a yearly maintenance treatment is required to keep optimal results.

Does Laser Hair Removal Work On Blonde Hair?

Sometimes, although this depends on skin tone and how dark your blonde hair is. Certain parts of the body, such as the armpits and bikini area, may have darker hair that will respond well to treatment. Your Kirkland master esthetician can determine whether you are a candidate.

Is It Safe For Darker Skin Tones?

Traditionally, the best candidates for laser hair removal were patients with fair skin and dark hair. However, laser technology has come a long way in the past few decades, and now some lasers can differentiate between the melanin in skin and hair. Our medical-grade laser falls into this category.

However, patients with a skin tone of four or above on the Fitzpatrick scale may still have a higher risk of hyperpigmentation or damage from the laser. Your master esthetician may recommend brightening cream treatment before the procedure. This cream does not physically change skin tone, but temporarily deactivates melanin to allow the laser to attach more effectively to the melanin in your hair.

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How Much Is It To Get Laser Hair Removal?

At Northwest Face & Body, laser hair removal prices vary based on the size of the area and how many areas you choose. Coming in packages of four treatments, laser hair removal starts at $119 for a small area. Schedule a consultation with a master esthetician to determine the most accurate cost.

Does Laser Hair Removal Affect Tattoos?

Outside of hair removal, lasers have many cosmetic applications. Removing tattoos is one of them. Therefore, if you have a tattoo in the area you want to receive laser hair removal, you should consider the damage the treatment could cause to the tattoo. Even if you plan to remove the tattoo, you should do so before treatment as it can affect the effectiveness of hair removal.

Top Laser Hair Removal In Bellevue And Kirkland At Northwest Face & Body

Northwest Face & Body is a top plastic surgery clinic and medical spa located in Kirkland, WA. Offering the best in new techniques and technology, Northwest Face & Body provides the top laser hair removal in Bellevue and Kirkland. Located minutes from downtown Bellevue and Kirkland, our office has served the Eastside for nearly four decades.

The master estheticians at Northwest Face & Body have years of experience and extensive training in laser procedures, including laser hair removal. They understand the best techniques for every skin and hair type.

To schedule a consultation with a master esthetician at Northwest Face & Body, call us at 425-576-1700. You can also reach us online via our Price Simulator™ app, contact form, or chat.

Laser Hair Removal In Bellevue

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