If you’re bothered by the stumble, stubborn hairs that leave a dark shadow after shaving, and waxing, laser hair removal may be good for you. Unwanted hair can be extremely bothersome especially if it is in a noticeable area such as your face. Waxing, tweezing, and shaving are just temporary methods used for hair removal and may not be all that effective. Laser hair removal is a permanent method of removing unwanted hair. You no longer have to continue throwing your money away on other expensive spa treatments for hair removal.
One of the most performed cosmetic surgeries in the U.S. is laser hair removal. Laser hair removal works by targeting the hair follicle by using highly concentrated light beams. The hair is destroyed when the pigments in the follicle absorb the light. It usually only takes about 15 minutes per treatment depending on the area being treated. You may be wasting hours of your valuable time on other methods of hair removal just to not have the desired results. Laser hair removal is beneficial for the face, bikini line, underarms, legs, chin, back and other areas.
Benefits of laser hair removal
There are many benefits of laser hair removal besides the fact that it is permanent. Precision is one of the biggest benefits of having laser hair removal. Lasers target unwanted hair without damaging any of the surrounding areas. Shaving, on the other hand, leaves painful razor burn that can be very embarrassing. Waxing can be painful, and you are also adding harsh chemicals to your skin from the wax. You won’t have to worry about that with laser hair removal, Speed is another benefit of laser hair removal. It’s much quicker than any other hair removal method. Lasers can treat areas up to the size of a quarter just within one second. You can have your upper lip treated in as little as 60 seconds. Most patients have experienced permanent hair removal from lasers just after three to seven sessions.
Preparing for laser hair removal
It is best to have laser hair removal performed by a licensed esthetician that is experienced. If you are considering having laser hair removal done, make sure to research doctors and med spas for a credential check. Plucking, waxing, and electrolysis should be limited for about 6 weeks before you start your first laser treatment and should be avoided in between laser treatments. This is because the laser targets the roots during treatment while other hair removal treatments only target above the root. Sun exposure should also be limited for about 6 weeks before and after laser treatments. Too much sun exposure can cause the procedure to be less effective. You are also more likely to experience complications if you expose the treated area to the sun.
Prior to having a laser procedure done, an esthetician or doctor will trim the hair being treated. Sometimes numbing medication is applied. Laser hair removal does not hurt and has been described as a sensation of a rubber band snapping on your skin. Most of the time it’s tolerable and patients don’t need any numbing ointments. If numbing ointment is used, it is given 20-30 minutes prior. It may not take the impulses away from the laser 100% but it will make them less noticeable. Adjustments of the laser are necessary depending on your skin, and thickness of the hair being treated. Normally eyewear is worn during treatment depending on the type of laser being used. A cool gel is also applied to the skin prior to the procedure to help with the penetration of the skin. The technician will then treat one area with a pulse of light to check for any reactions before continuing with the rest of the treatment. Once the entire treatment is complete witch hazel or another anti-inflammatory cream or lotion is applied and the patient is given an ice pack if needed. Your next treatment should be scheduled anytime between 4-6 weeks. You will continue treatments until the hair has completely stopped growing. Even after, some patients come back at least once or twice a year for touch up treatments.
Recovery is not extensive. For a couple of days following laser treatment, you can expect the area to feel as if it were sunburned. You will be allowed to apply cool compresses to the area. If your skin is blistering, you should avoid wearing makeup, otherwise you can wear makeup within a day following treatment. The treated hair will begin to fall out within a month following laser hair removal. If you plan on being out in the sun, you need to make sure to apply sunscreen to prevent any color changes on your skin. You only need to wear sunscreen for the first month following treatment. Make sure that you don’t experience any blistering after your procedure since it is rare, it is highly unlikely. People that have darker complexions are more prone to blistering. However, you may experience some common side effects such as redness, scarring, and swelling. Permanent scarring, however, is rare.
Patience is key when having laser hair removal done. You may not see results immediately, especially depending on the area being treated. Some patients have seen results only after a couple of treatments, others a few. It takes anywhere between 8-12 treatments to see the full effects of laser hair removal. Make sure that you stay regular with your appointments. This is because your hair follicles grow at different stages, so you want to be sure that all hair has an opportunity to be treated by the laser. Also, you can shave in between treatments on hair that has grown back. Shaving is the only method that is okay to use in between laser hair treatments. Shaving does not mean that your hair will grow back thicker and fuller. That is just a myth.
You will not be able to go to the gym after treatments if you are someone who loves to workout. Since the heat stays in your skin up to 24 hours following treatment, hot showers, and gyms are to be avoided. Bacteria can enter the skin and cause unwanted spots to form on your skin. Any aftercare treatments that are given to you by your technician need to be followed. This is the only way they can guarantee the full effects of the treatment.
Are you a good candidate or not for laser hair removal
If you want to know if you are a good candidate or not for laser hair removal, the best thing to do is to talk to a medspa technician. In the beginning, laser hair removal was only beneficial for people that had dark and coarse hair. Now since a lot has changed with technology, lasers tend to work on only some people that have lighter. People who have pale skin and darker hair tend to be better candidates for laser hair removal because the melanin on the skin can be easily targeted when a person has lighter skin and darker hair. People with finer, blond hairs may not be great candidates for laser hair removal because the lasers will have a harder time treating them. If you tan easily and have darker skin tone, you may not be a good candidate for laser hair removal. There are options still for these people with lighter hairs because there are some lasers that can target people with lower contrast hair.
Avoid having areas close to the eye treated by a laser. This includes the area between your eyebrows. Even though eye protection is worn during laser hair removal sessions, it can still cause damage to your eye. Pregnant and nursing mothers should also avoid laser hair removal as a precaution to prevent causing harm to your child. It’s always better to remain on the cautious side even though there is no evidence to back this up.
If you have always dreamt of having smooth, hair-free skin, then laser hair removal is right for you. Laser hair removal is safe, effective, and best of all it is permanent. So what are you waiting for? Call us today at 502-890-9726 or schedule a free consultation online.