Laser hair removal typically involves multiple sessions. Most patients report few, if any, hairs coming back after treatment – and those that do usually tend to be thinner and lighter in color.
Before laser treatments begin, a cooling system provides super cold air which numbs your skin momentarily to reduce discomfort and ensure safety. This helps minimize discomfort during sessions while increasing safety.
How it works
Laser hair removal is an efficient and safe solution to long-term hair reduction without shaving or waxing. There are two laser types – cold laser and hot laser – depending on your personal needs and desired results; both techniques have been proven effective at curbing hair growth while remaining FDA approved as safe solutions.
During a laser procedure, your doctor will press a handheld laser instrument against your skin, possibly using a cooling device or cool gel on its tip to protect and minimize discomfort during treatment. He or she will then activate the laser, sending out beams of light that penetrate hair follicles to damage them and ultimately inhibit hair growth.
At first, laser treatment may cause a slight prickling sensation or burning. After completion of your procedure, this sensation should dissipate quickly.
To achieve optimal results, it’s essential that you adhere to your treatment schedule. Most people require multiple sessions of laser hair removal for desired results; your dermatologist can advise how often and how many sessions are necessary for permanent hair reduction.
Avoid sun exposure prior and post laser treatment to protect the health of your skin and decrease side effects. Beginning treatment in winter or spring ensures you can achieve desired results before summer arrives.
Before having laser treatment, it is wise to avoid any form of hair grooming such as tweezing, waxing or plucking; such methods remove hair directly from its roots and can interfere with treatment. Shave two days prior to your appointment the area you plan on treating; ensure the length of hair in this area does not exceed that of a grain of rice.
Safety
Cold laser hair removal is generally safe for most individuals; however, it’s essential that you visit a licensed practitioner and strictly follow all instructions. Although high-intensity lasers have the potential for burns or skin damage, cold laser hair removal uses lower intensity lasers which are far less likely to do this; additionally these low intensity lasers make it safer for individuals with darker skin tones or hyperpigmentation issues.
Scarring is another risk with laser hair removal treatments; however, this is rare when performed by trained professionals with appropriate equipment. At-home kits or untrained practitioners may increase this risk; scarring can also occur if improper settings are chosen or there are medical conditions preventing your skin from responding adequately to laser treatments.
After your laser treatment, it is likely you’ll experience some skin irritation; this should subside within hours with antihistamine use or applying ice. Furthermore, you may notice slight changes to the color of your skin post-treatment; these tend to occur more commonly with those who have light-colored skin but also possibly with those who have darker complexions who develop dark spots from treatment; lighter areas may even develop on darker complexions following laser sessions.
Cold and hot laser treatments both offer long-term hair reduction results; however, hot laser treatment tends to penetrate deeper into hair follicles for greater permanent damage and potential inhibition. Both methods may work effectively; it’s just important to speak to a licensed practitioner regarding which one best meets your goals and lifestyle.
Experts generally advise shaving the area to be treated 24 hours before receiving laser therapy to increase its chances of targeting hair follicles more effectively. You should also refrain from plucking, waxing or using other hair removal methods in the area, including plucking. In addition, sunscreen protection may help if your complexion is light-colored or you have had history of melisma.
Discomfort
Under the care of a trained practitioner, laser hair removal can be safe and effective; however, the treatment can still be uncomfortable for clients with sensitive skin. Practitioners will press a hand-held device against your skin before activating its beams of light to penetrate deeply into your follicles to inhibit hair growth and burn the base of each follicle with intense heat from their laser device. Your practitioner may use additional cooling devices on its tip or apply cool gel directly onto your skin during this procedure.
However, most clients report that laser hair removal feels similar to being pinched by a rubber band or having their skin tightened with rubber bands. Most patients find the sensations far less painful than waxing when used to remove hair from sensitive areas like legs or bikini area.
After your laser treatment, it is crucial that the area affected remains dry – no swimming or sweating allowed – in order to minimize infection risk as your body recovers from laser heat damage. You should also try not applying makeup over areas treated by laser heat; and while applying ice may seem tempting after each session, prolonged exposure could result in burns.
As with any medical procedure, it’s wise to notify your practitioner as soon as you experience side effects of their treatment immediately in order to assess its severity and determine an effective course of action.
Some individuals should avoid laser treatments, including those who have experienced herpes or genital warts in the past. Furthermore, pregnant or trying-to-get pregnant patients must inform their practitioner immediately.
To help minimize discomfort, it’s a good idea to take an over-the-counter pain reliever prior to an appointment. Also avoid caffeine and stimulants which can increase pain receptor sensitivity; and schedule your session after starting menstruation rather than starting it!
Side effects
Laser hair removal is a safe, noninvasive way to permanently reduce unwanted body hair without the need for shaving, waxing, tweezing or threading. However, laser treatment does come with potential side effects which it is important to understand prior to initiating treatment.
Some individuals will experience irritation and redness immediately following laser hair removal, similar to a mild sunburn, that should subside within hours. Some may also experience skin crusting which may be uncomfortable but normal; picking at this crusting can lead to scabbing and scarring so instead, use moisturizer on the area frequently as directed by your dermatologist’s after treatment instructions.
People taking certain medications, particularly ones that alter the immune system such as antidepressants, antibiotics, anti-acne drugs or selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), may be more sensitive to laser hair removal sessions during laser hair removal treatments. As with any treatment session involving medications being prescribed by their healthcare provider (ie antidepressants or antibiotics for example). They should inform their dermatologist of all medication they are currently taking prior to scheduling laser hair removal treatment.
Following laser hair removal, it is vital to keep the treated area away from direct sunlight. Fake tans or chemical peels should also be avoided in addition to regularly using face mists to keep moisture levels in check and hot showers or saunas should also be avoided for best results.
Laser hair removal should not be performed during pregnancy due to hormonal fluctuations that can increase hair growth in the skin. Instead, people should wait until nursing has concluded and then consult a physician who can suggest other strategies for decreasing unwanted body hair growth.
