What Is Laser Hair Removal And How Does It Work?

If you’ve ever wondered if you could skip shaving, waxing, or all those painful plucks and have smoother skin instead, you’re in the right place. People ask us a lot at NewDermaMed, “What is laser hair removal?” Let’s talk about what laser hair removal is, how it works, why so many people choose it, what “IPL laser hair removal” means, how long the results can last, and what you should know before you book your sessions.

What You Need To Know About Laser Hair Removal

What Is Laser Hair Removal Exactly

Laser hair removal is a cosmetic procedure that uses focused beams of light energy to get rid of unwanted hair at the root. The goal is to hurt the hair follicle so that it stops or slows down making new hair. Laser hair removal is different from shaving or waxing because it doesn’t just get rid of hair; it also tries to slow down hair growth over time.

We don’t just see laser hair removal as a cosmetic convenience at NewDermaMed. We see it as a long-term investment in your skin and grooming routine.

How Does It Work?

Here’s the science behind it: each hair goes through a cycle that includes phases of growth (anagen), transition (catagen), and resting/shedding (telogen). A laser can only effectively target follicles in the active growth phase because the pigment (melanin) in the hair absorbs the light energy.

This method is called selective photothermolysis. Melanin in the hair shaft absorbs the laser light and turns it into heat, which then kills or hurts the follicle and its ability to grow hair again.

A lot of sessions are needed because only a small number of hairs are growing at once. Most people go back to their normal activities after a short time. We make it clear at NewDermaMed how many sessions you will probably need based on your skin tone, hair type, and area of treatment.

What About IPL And Laser

A lot of the time, you’ll hear “IPL laser hair removal”. IPL stands for “intense pulsed light”. It’s not a real laser; it’s a broad spectrum light source that can remove hair by heating the follicle in a similar way. IPL might work for some people, but high-spec lasers are more accurate and usually safer for more skin tones. We use fully regulated medical lasers at NewDermaMed to make sure that the technology is right for your skin type, hair colour, and the area being treated.

Why More People Choose Laser Hair Removal

People choose laser over shaving, waxing, or plucking for a lot of different reasons:

• Results that last longer: Laser hair removal slows hair growth down more than most temporary methods.
• Less upkeep: After your first set of treatments and a few touch-ups, you don’t have to shave as often or at all.
• Better skin texture: You won’t have as many ingrown hairs, irritation, or bumps on your skin because you don’t wax, pluck, or shave as often.
• Speed: With modern equipment, it doesn’t take long to treat large areas like the legs and back.
• Laser hair removal can be used on almost any part of the body, from the face to the underarms, bikini line, and full legs.

The Perfect Candidate

Laser hair removal works for a lot of people, but it works best when:

• The laser works best on people with dark, coarse hair and lighter skin.
• Good overall health and no active skin infections or major skin problems in the area being treated.
• Be willing to go to more than one session and take good care of yourself before and after (like staying out of the sun).

At NewDermaMed, we look at each person’s hair colour, skin tone, medical history, and what they want to see happen to see if laser hair removal is a good option for them.

What To Expect: The Treatment Journey At NewDermaMed

First Meeting

A personal consultation is where your journey begins. We will look at:

• The parts of your body that you want treated, like your legs, underarms, bikini area, face, back, etc.
• The colour, texture, and thickness of your hair
• Your skin tone and any past hair removal you may have done
• Your promise to go to follow-up sessions and take care of yourself afterward
• Any medical history or drugs that could affect treatment

Getting Ready For Treatment

You need to do a few important things ahead of time to get the best results:

• For a few weeks before treatment, don’t go outside in the sun or tan.
• The day before your session, shave the area.
• Don’t wax, pluck, or use hair removal creams for a few weeks before the session.

At NewDermaMed, we give you detailed instructions before your treatment so that you are ready and everything goes smoothly.

The Treatment Session

You will wear protective glasses during the session. You can protect your skin by using a cooling gel or device. The laser handpiece is put on the skin, and the energy pulses go straight to the follicles. A lot of clients say it feels like a snap or a warm sting.

Depending on how big the area is, a session can last anywhere from a few minutes (for the upper lip) to an hour (for the full legs). You might feel a little red or like you have a sunburn after the session. Most people go back to their normal activities right away.

Aftercare And Post Treatment

After treatment, you should:

• For several weeks, stay out of the sun and tanning beds.
• Don’t take hot baths, go to saunas, or work out hard for at least 24 to 48 hours.
• You can shave the hair in the treated area, but don’t wax, pluck, or bleach it.
• Expect some hair to fall out over the next 1 to 3 weeks.

We check in with you at NewDermaMed to see how your skin is doing and set up the next appointment.

How Long Does Laser Hair Removal Last

One of the most common questions is how long does laser hair removal last? The truth is that laser hair removal isn’t always “permanent” in the strictest sense, but it does often slow down hair growth and make fewer hairs visible for many months or even years.

This is what you can really expect:

• You might notice that your hair grows less after just one session.
• After a full series of treatments (usually 4 to 8 spaced out over several weeks), many people see 70 to 90 percent less hair.
• When hair does grow back, it is usually finer, lighter, and slower.
• Maintenance sessions, which happen once or twice a year, help keep results for a long time.

We at NewDermaMed set realistic goals. We don’t promise “no hair ever again,” but we do promise a big improvement over time with little upkeep.

Who Is And Isn’t A Good Candidate

Good Candidates

• People who have hair on their bodies that they don’t want and are sick of trying to get rid of it.
• People with dark hair and light to medium skin.
• People who are willing to go to more than one session and do aftercare.

Less Ideal Or Requires Special Care

• Light blond, red, grey, or white hair
• Very dark skin tones (requires specific lasers and expertise)
• Skin that has been tanned recently
• Pregnant individuals or those taking photosensitizing medications
• Areas with tattoos, infections, or active skin conditions

At NewDermaMed, we look at each client to see if they are a good fit and then customize the treatment to lower risk and get the best results.

Risks, Side Effects, And How To Avoid Them

When done by trained professionals, laser hair removal is usually safe. However, there are risks and side effects that you should be aware of. These could be:

• Temporary redness, swelling, or bumps
• Pigment changes (darkening or lightening)
• Blistering or scarring (uncommon)
• Hormonal hair growth (rare)
• Some hairs may remain and require maintenance

At NewDermaMed, we take precautions such as skin analysis, correct settings, cooling systems, sun avoidance, and follow-ups to minimize risk.

Full Body Versus Specific Areas: What You Should Know

Laser hair removal can be applied almost anywhere on the body face, cheeks, upper lip, chin, underarms, arms, legs, back, chest, bikini area, and full body.

Considerations include:

• Treatment time and cost increase with larger areas
• Hair thickness and regrowth differ by area
• Hormonal areas may need more maintenance
• Full-body packages can be cost-effective but require commitment

At NewDermaMed, we offer customized packages tailored by area, hair type, and long-term goals.

Why Choose NewDermaMed For Your Laser Hair Removal Journey

Choosing the right clinic can make a major difference. At NewDermaMed we offer:

• Expert consultation and planning
• High-quality medical lasers
• Individualized treatment plans
• Comprehensive after-care support
• Transparent cost and scheduling

Our goal is clear, smooth skin with minimal fuss. We believe laser hair removal is not just a treatment—it’s freedom from daily upkeep and irritation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does laser hair removal hurt?

Most people experience a mild snapping or warm sensation during treatment.

How many sessions will I need?

Typically 4 to 8 sessions spaced 4-8 weeks apart.

Will the hair ever grow back?

Some regrowth may occur, but it is usually finer and lighter.

Can I shave or wax between treatments?

You can shave, but do not wax or pluck.

Is it safe on dark skin?

Yes, with the correct laser and experienced staff.

Is it worth it versus waxing or shaving?

For many people, yes.

Conclusion

Laser hair removal offers a powerful solution if you’re ready to move away from constant shaving, waxing, and irritation. By using advanced laser technology, customized treatment plans, and excellent aftercare, NewDermaMed helps you make this change confidently.

If you’re curious about laser hair removal or wondering how long the results will last, now is the time to take the next step. Book your consultation at NewDermaMed today. We’ll evaluate your hair type, skin tone, treatment goals, and budget, then map a plan that gets you smoother skin, fewer maintenance sessions, and greater freedom.