At-home laser and IPL hair removal devices use light to help eliminate excess body hair, but if done incorrectly could lead to burns, scars, and hyperpigmentation resulting in burns, scars, or hyperpigmentation.
That is why it is vitally important to understand how best to prepare and follow-through with each treatment session, in order to avoid common skin mistakes and achieve effective at-home hair-removal results. By reading through, learn what steps can help you avoid making skin errors and get optimal at-home hair-removal results.
How It Works
Laser hair removal employs light energy to destroy the hair follicles responsible for producing unwanted hair. Unlike electrolysis, which strips hair of its melanin content and weakens it so it returns thinner and finer over time, laser hair removal obliterates every follicle completely so they no longer produce new hair, using IPLs or high-heat lasers that target melanin to vaporize it away – this may take multiple sessions with a dermatologist before all follicles have been destroyed – once they won’t return.
At-home laser hair removal devices often employ less advanced technology, limiting their ability to effectively destroy all hair follicles. Furthermore, some at-home devices use IPL (intense pulsed light) rather than lasers; although this doesn’t directly alter results or cause scarring or hyperpigmentation – though the likelihood is increased due to using less powerful lasers.
Keep in mind that every body and hair tone differs, so it’s essential to understand how laser treatments will react on your particular skin type before trying at-home devices. Consult a qualified laser practitioner first and have them test out a small patch of your skin with the device prior to beginning full treatments.
If you’re considering purchasing an at-home laser device to reduce unwanted hair on your face or body, we strongly advise against it. These devices tend to wear out quickly after repeated uses and cannot provide as effective results as expected; plus you’ll have to deal with maneuvering such a small device around all parts of your body which could put strain on your back and be difficult to manage.
Home laser devices often don’t work effectively for people with darker skin tones because they cannot distinguish between hair pigment and skin darkness, leading to accidentally firing shots on yourself resulting in scarring and other undesirable side effects such as discoloration.
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Preparation
Contrary to shaving or waxing, laser hair removal aims at the hair follicle or root directly for less painful results that effectively reduce hair growth on sensitive areas of the face or body. Prior to beginning an at-home laser hair removal treatment at home, it’s essential that you prepare your skin. “Shaving should be avoided at least a month prior as it allows laser light to see hair follicles and roots more clearly,” advises Dr. Shamban. It is also advised to forgoing waxing as this may impede its ability target their target hair follicles/roots properly.
When choosing an at-home laser device, make sure that it matches both your skin tone and hair color. Also look out for cooling technologies as this can reduce discomfort during treatment as well as redness from it. Also it is important to conduct a patch test of any new device on a small area of your skin before continuing with it in full, and avoid products containing skin-thinning ingredients such as chemical exfoliants or retinol serums that could interfere with its performance.
Although at-home laser devices can be convenient and effective, they should never be used as a replacement for professional laser treatments in dermatology offices or salons. Professional treatments utilize different wavelengths of light that penetrate more deeply into the skin than what’s available from at-home devices; this difference increases risk for burning, scarring and discoloration to the skin.
Laser hair removal is an invasive yet safe and effective solution for eliminating unwanted body hair on both men and women. It has become an increasingly popular alternative to more traditional methods of removal such as waxing or shaving which can lead to ingrown hairs or razor burn. If you want a way to permanently get rid of hair growth then laser hair removal might be your answer.
Lauren Balsamo has nine years of experience researching, writing and editing on beauty-related subjects ranging from the best detanglers to new laser treatments for acne scars. Additionally, she has tested hundreds of at-home laser hair removal devices in partnership with top dermatologists in order to determine their efficacy and assess new technology.
Treatment
At-home beauty techniques such as coloring your roots and plucking your eyebrows may be straightforward, but laser hair removal requires more skill. While dermatologists were once the only professionals capable of providing permanent results through laser hair removal, now anyone can purchase their own device that can zap unwanted hairs in the bikini line or back area – saving both time and money by eliminating shaving, plucking, or waxing sessions altogether!
Before purchasing a laser hair removal device, be aware of potential side effects. Most prominent among them is redness in the target area; you may also experience tenderness or notice some slight swelling due to damage done to follicles by the laser; these reactions should subside quickly after treatment is finished.
Some individuals may experience more severe reactions, including swelling, blistering and scarring. Though not common, these should be reported immediately to a dermatologist for assessment and management. You should avoid tanning beds, sun exposure and hair removal treatments within weeks prior to your procedure if your skin tone is darker as these devices have difficulty distinguishing between pigment in your skin and hair growth and burns can occur when not used correctly.
When using at-home devices, it is vital to follow all directions exactly. For instance, some laser treatments require you to wear a protective ear muff during treatment to stop your ears ringing during and protect them from light energy from laser. It is also wise to abstain from alcohol or smoking the day of and night before laser sessions for increased chances of reactions to these devices.
As well as following the instructions carefully, it is also essential that you commit to regular sessions with the device. As its purpose is to destroy hair follicles, yet each cycle of growth requires multiple treatments before any noticeable difference can be seen in results.
Consumer devices available to consumers are much less advanced than clinic-grade equipment, which means slower and less effective treatment of unwanted hair growth. That means it may take you longer to achieve that smooth, hair-free complexion that you seek. If this sounds appealing to you, get in touch with Reflections now to discover our safe and effective laser hair removal treatments – our physicians will help determine whether they’re suitable for your particular skin tone and type! Let us help get rid of razor bumps, strawberry skin or semi-permanent underarm shadow by getting in touch today!
