Laser hair removal is a fast, virtually painless procedure for permanently reducing unwanted hair growth. It’s also a great option for people who have sensitive skin.
Before your treatment, shave the area. You’ll also want to avoid plucking or waxing. Additionally, you should avoid sun exposure and use good sunscreen between sessions.
When performed by a trained, certified medical aesthetician, laser hair removal is an extremely safe. However, there are some risks involved in this treatment that should be discussed with a doctor or a dermatologist before deciding to pursue it.
The laser light heats up the pigment of the hair follicle, which destroys the follicle and prevents it from growing a new hair. This is different than plucking, tweezing or shaving, which only removes the surface hair without permanently destroying it. This process is also much faster and more effective than other hair removal methods.
Before beginning a session, the skin to be treated is trimmed and sterilized. The practitioner will then use a cooling device on the skin to protect it from the heat of the laser and avoid any burns. A numbing gel may be applied if necessary to reduce the pain associated with this procedure. Once the cooling is finished, pulses of laser light will be directed at the treatment area. This can take a few minutes for a small area like the upper lip, while larger areas such as the legs can take up to an hour.
After a laser treatment, the skin may look slightly red and swollen. These symptoms are temporary and typically respond well to ice packs and a cool bath. Some people experience skin crusting in the affected area, which can be painful and may lead to scarring if not addressed quickly. However, this is rare and usually only occurs in people with very sensitive skin.
It takes between three and eight sessions to notice a significant reduction in the growth of unwanted hair. Although some hair will grow back, it will be much thinner and lighter in texture than before. Some people will need to schedule touch up maintenance treatments yearly to maintain results.
It is important to note that laser hair removal cannot be used on a person while pregnant. This is because the follicles of the hair in a pregnant woman are enlarged and are more likely to be destroyed by the laser.
It’s Effective
Laser hair removal is a fast and effective way to reduce unwanted hair growth. The procedure targets the root of the problem, resulting in permanent hair reduction. It also eliminates the pain and embarrassment of razor bumps, ingrown hairs, and other unwanted side effects associated with shaving, waxing, and bleaching.
Before the treatment begins, the medical specialist will clean the area and apply numbing gel to make sure you don’t feel any discomfort. Depending on the size of the area being treated, the entire process can take only a few minutes to an hour or more. To avoid damaging your skin and eyes, it is important to wear the protective eyewear that is provided.
During the treatment, the medical specialist will focus the laser on the hair follicles in the target area and pulse it with the light beam. The follicles will absorb the energy and be damaged, preventing them from producing new hair. Many people compare the sensation to a warm pinprick and find that it is less painful than other hair removal methods, such as waxing or shaving.
You may experience a few temporary side effects after laser hair removal, including redness, swelling, and irritation. However, these are typically minimal and respond well to ice packs or a cool bath. You might also notice some skin crusting. This is normal and is caused by the laser destroying some of the cells on your skin surface.
Most patients will need 2 to 6 laser treatments before they begin to see a permanent reduction in unwanted hair growth. Even when the hairs do regrow, they tend to be finer and lighter in color than before.
If you want to achieve long-lasting results, it is important to follow your doctor’s instructions. These include avoiding sunless tanners, using sun creams, and limiting plucking and waxing. You should also avoid taking any medications that thin your blood.
Some people will notice that their hair grows back after a few months, but the hairs will be much thinner and less noticeable than before. In addition, a number of the hairs that grow back will be discolored from the laser treatment.
It’s Fast
The most significant benefit of laser hair removal is that it saves you time. You can spend your hours shaving, plucking, and waxing on something more fun—or just relaxing in a long shower without having to rush through your routine to get out the door.
And with the best at-home devices—like our top pick overall from Braun —you can easily reduce hair growth over a few treatments and finally say goodbye to shaving, waxing, and tweezing for good. The laser-powered devices damage the hair follicle to slow down its growth, saving you the hassle of maintaining a smooth, hair-free body.
A few weeks after the first treatment, most people see a 10% to 25% reduction in unwanted hair growth. But results vary from person to person, and a thorough evaluation with your specialist will give you a clearer idea of how many treatment sessions you might need.
The good news is that unlike alternatives such as razors and waxing, which often irritate the skin and can lead to razor bumps and other ingrown hairs, laser treatment is relatively painless. You might experience some redness or swelling after a session, but this usually only lasts a few days. You can also use a topical anesthetic to help ease discomfort.
During your consultation, the dermatologist will take a detailed clinical history and do a physical exam to ensure you’re a good candidate for treatment. You’ll also need to avoid hair epilation (such as shaving, waxing or plucking) for a few weeks before your treatment to prepare the area. And if you’re taking any medications that can make the skin photosensitive—such as antibiotics or retinoids—it’s important to tell your dermatologist so they can advise you on how to proceed with the procedure.
If you choose to get laser hair removal at a clinic, the dermatologist will apply a topical anesthetic to your face and neck to prevent discomfort during treatment. Then the technician will shave the target areas before beginning treatment with the laser. They’ll apply protective goggles to protect your eyes from the laser beam, and they may recommend that you shave the day before your treatment so the hair is as short as possible for the best results.
It’s Affordable
Compared to the cost of shaving, waxing or plucking, laser hair removal is a more affordable option. Plus, it is a permanent solution that eliminates the hassle of having to shave and can save you money on razors and waxing products over time.
While shaving, waxing and tweezing remove hair above the skin’s surface, laser therapy targets hair-producing follicles deep within your skin. The energy from the laser pulsates through the follicles, and heat is generated, which destroys the follicles and prevents them from producing more hair. This is a much safer way to remove unwanted body hair than shaving, which can result in nicks, cuts and razor burn.
In addition, it is an extremely quick procedure. Depending on the area of your body, a session can last only minutes. In some cases, a topical anesthetic may be applied to the area before the treatment to reduce any discomfort. Once the treatment is over, you can continue with your day and get back to work without any noticeable downtime.
It’s worth noting that laser hair removal is most effective on dark-colored hair and light-skinned patients. This is because the lasers target the pigment in the hair, rather than the skin itself. If you have darker skin, your dermatologist might recommend using a skin bleaching cream before the procedure to ensure the best results.
Considering how much time you spend on depilation, imagine being free from the hassle of shaving, waxing and tweezing. You’ll have more time to do things you enjoy, and your skin will be smoother and more even.
For more information about laser hair removal, contact us today. Our expert staff will be happy to answer any questions you have and help you decide if this is the right option for you. We look forward to helping you achieve smooth, beautiful skin!
