Because of the varying sizes of treatment areas, one session of laser or IPL hair removal can take anywhere from about 15 to 90 minutes to perform. Patients often report a mild stinging sensation, similar to a rubberband, snap during treatment, but various methods of cooling may be used during treatment to help reduce this. Anethesia is generally not needed.
The light, which is directed at the hair follicles in the area of treatment, penetrates the skin and is absorbed by the follicle beneath the hair. As the light is absorbed, it is converted to heat, destroying the follicles’s ability to grow new hair without harming the surrounding skin. Laser or IPL hair removal needs to be performed in stages because hair grows in stages. It is only in its active stage of growth that hair can be removed successfully.