Hair is evident from head to toe, and if you prefer to get rid of annoying hair where it’s unwanted and sport smooth skin, then you may want to consider full body laser hair removal. This super safe and popular approach to laser hair removal gets rid of pesky hair anywhere on the face and body where it’s present. Bundling multiple areas into a full body laser hair removal treatment makes removing hair easier and saves you money and a handful of time.
What is Full Body Laser Hair Removal?
Full body laser hair removal differs in that multiple treatment areas are targeted during a single session instead of just one. Using a laser on areas where unwanted hair persists allows the hair growth cycle to be interrupted so it can no longer grow as usual. All skin types, including darker ones, can be treated with full body laser hair removal using the Candela GentleMax Pro Plus laser thanks to its dual wavelength system. Although those with darker hair tend to see the best results since the laser can pick up the dark pigment in the hair, the treatment works well for all hair color except for white hair, which has lost its pigment.
For full body laser hair removal to effectively eliminate areas laden with excess hair, the laser device must distribute ample heat to kill the hair follicle at the source and stop the hair’s regular growth pattern. Multiple sessions are required to stop the hair from growing because hair anywhere on the body can be at one of three stages of hair growth, so treating the hair with the laser multiple times ensures that the growth cycle is interrupted effectively. We use the Candela GentleMax Pro Plus laser for all our full body laser hair removal treatments. The cutting-edge laser device features a dual-wavelength system, ensuring safety for all skin types, even darker skin tones.
In most full body laser hair removal sessions, the legs, arms, underarms, chest, back, face, and bikini line are targeted. However, everyone has different areas of concern, which we will discuss during your consultation and then properly address. Some areas of the body respond faster to full body laser hair removal than others, so you may need additional treatment sessions to eliminate hair in specific areas.
It’s important to remember that while full body laser hair removal can be used virtually from head to toe, the results may require maintenance sessions in the future to keep the skin smooth.
What to Know Before Booking Your Treatment
Before you commit to a full body laser hair treatment, there’s plenty to know about the procedure so that you can make sure it’s right for you, your schedule, and your budget.
- Schedule a consultation first so our team can assess your skin and hair type to determine how many treatment sessions you’ll need (this will also give you a more accurate price).
- Full body laser hair removal must be performed at specific intervals, usually four to six weeks between treatments, so take your schedule into account. For the best results, stick with a treatment plan that falls within these parameters.
- Before and after your full body laser treatment, you’ll need to care for your skin cautiously. Make sure not to book your treatments around vacations when your skin is exposed to the sun or when you’ll be partaking in any activities that irritate the treatment areas.
- Even though laser hair removal provides long-term results, you’ll likely need maintenance sessions in the future (after the entire treatment course) to keep the skin smooth and fuzz-free.
- Keeping your budget in mind is essential, and for multiple treatment areas, bundle packages are best. We can help you find the best treatment package for your needs and wallet.
Prepping the Skin for a Full Body Laser Hair Removal Session
Before your treatments begin, your provider will give you specific instructions on all the skincare dos and don’ts to ensure optimal results. Follow these tips to make your laser treatment successful.
- Shave the treatment area. Removing hair from the surface via shaving one day before your appointment is important. With less hair on the surface, the laser can better target the hair follicle under the skin’s surface and limit the potential for skin irritation.
- Stay out of the sun. UV exposure causes an influx of melanin production within the skin, making the skin more sensitive to the laser and increasing the risk for potential burns and hyperpigmentation. The same holds for self-tanners, which can confuse the laser and lead to less-than-ideal results. Always protect the skin with SPF 30 before (and every day) to limit unnecessary UV exposure.
- Avoid harsh skincare products. For about one week before your laser hair removal session, skip using exfoliating acids, retinol and retinoids, alpha hydroxy and beta hydroxy acids, and anything harsh or abrasive. Ingredients like these can desensitize the skin and lead to adverse effects using a laser treatment.
- Come to your appointment with clean skin. You’ll want to show up with clean skin and no makeup, deodorant, lotion, perfume, cologne, or skincare products that can impede the effects of the laser.
The Laser Hair Removal Process
Full body laser hair removal removes target pigment in the hair follicles with light from the laser to stop the hair from growing. Once the laser senses pigment in the hair follicle, the follicles absorb the light and convert it to heat, which causes them to become damaged without disrupting the skin itself and making them less able to grow hair properly. Since the hair anywhere on the body can be at any stage of hair growth, it’s important to treat the area multiple times.
It’s important to know that full body laser hair removal isn’t an instant results type of treatment. With each session, there’s less hair growth in the area, so the hair appears finer and lighter. To get rid of every last hair for the best results, follow through with the entire treatment plan.
Post Laser Hair Removal Care and Results
To get the best results from this full body treatment, it’s crucial to take good care of your skin prior to your treatment.
- Stay out of the sun. Exposing freshly-lasered skin to the sun and tanning beds can hinder your results and increase the risk of discoloration, hyperpigmentation, and other skin issues. Instead, wear sunscreen daily on the laser-treated areas and avoid any unnecessary sun exposure.
- Keep the skin hydrated. Applying a gentle, unscented body moisturizer to the skin in the days following a laser treatment can help soothe and nourish the skin and reduce redness. Hydrated skin always responds better to laser treatments than dry skin.
- Avoid anything irritating. Just because the skin isn’t ablated during a full body laser hair removal treatment doesn’t mean it can’t become irritated from skincare products. Steer clear of anything exfoliating, abrasive, harsh, or acid-based for one week as the skin heals.
Patience is key with full body laser hair removal and while you may start to see results after the first session and less hair growing. Multiple sessions are required to fully discontinue the hair growth cycle, so sticking to a schedule is important in getting fuzz-free. After each session, you’ll see hair shed in the treated areas after about seven to 10 days. Don’t worry, it’s normal. After you complete all of the sessions, which can range from 8 to 12 appointments, your skin will emerge soft, smooth, and with no hair in the treated areas.
