Laser treatments heat pigment and destroy hair follicles to make it impossible for them to produce new hair again; however, multiple sessions are usually necessary for complete elimination of unwanted hair growth.
Removing hair in certain areas does hurt; its pain resembles that of rubber bands snapping against your skin. For optimal results, it is advised that numbing cream be used.
What to Expect
Many men and women spend hours shaving or waxing away unwanted hair that soon reappears again despite these efforts, yet laser hair removal offers a better way to permanently rid themselves of unsightly locks than both shaving or waxing can.
Laser hair removal uses a beam of light to target and destroy hair follicle roots, stopping them from growing back hair again. It’s an effective solution to getting rid of unwanted body hair that causes embarrassment or irritation.
Prior to your first laser hair removal appointment, there are some preparation steps you need to take. First of all, it is advisable to avoid tanning or sunbathing for at least two weeks both prior to and following treatment – this is crucial because prolonged sunbathing may increase risk of side effects after laser treatments and cause burns on your skin.
Before beginning laser hair removal treatment, it’s wise to limit plucking or waxing in the area you wish to treat for six weeks prior. This helps ensure the laser can locate hair follicles more effectively during treatment sessions. Should shaving become necessary within 24 hours after treatment begins, this will also aid in targeting specific hair follicles more effectively and increase effectiveness.
At your initial treatment session, a technician will apply goggles and apply numbing cream to protect your eyes while relieving any discomfort. Next, the doctor will press a hand-held instrument against your skin with different types of lasers having different cooling devices or gel on its tip that might use cooling technology or simply cool numbing cream – you might experience both prickly sensations as well as cool sensations from either device tip.
After your session, the area may appear slightly red and swollen; this is normal and will clear up in a few days. In addition, stubble or blackheads may surface several weeks post treatment due to hair follicles that were dormant prior to treatment now promoting hair growth – exfoliating can speed this shedding process up considerably.
Preparation
Laser hair removal can be an effective, safe treatment option; however, preparation for an appointment is key in order to minimize discomfort and ensure successful outcomes.
Before going in for laser sessions, it’s wise to avoid plucking and waxing areas with unwanted hair as these methods disrupt the follicle, potentially impacting results. Shaving is recommended instead. Furthermore, weeks prior to your laser session avoid sunbathing without proper protection such as sunscreen in order to keep skin from becoming overexposed to sunlight and becoming too light or tanned which may lead to side effects like blisters or scarring on your body.
At your first appointment with your cosmetic dermatologist, it is also essential to inform them about any medications you are currently taking. Some drugs can interfere with laser treatments or make you more susceptible to heat generated by lasers; it is therefore advisable that they know about any drugs you take so they can adjust the settings on their laser to provide the safest experience for you and your body.
Before receiving laser hair removal treatments, it’s also wise to gently exfoliate the area where they will take place. Exfoliation helps remove dead skin cells that might obstruct laser from reaching hair follicles and cause permanent damage; but remember to be gentle as rougher exfoliation could result in cuts which could disrupt or hinder laser sessions.
Before your laser treatment begins, special goggles must be worn to protect your eyes from the light used during the procedure. Once this step has been taken care of, a technician will apply either cooling gel or cool air spray before beginning. Multiple sessions may be necessary in order to permanently eradicate unwanted hair; your practitioner will develop a treatment plan tailored specifically for you that includes how frequently you should visit their clinic for sessions.
Laser hair removal is an efficient and permanent way to get rid of unwanted hair. Ideal for people who have become bored with shaving and waxing, regular laser sessions may save both time and money by eliminating these maintenance activities altogether.
Treatment
Prior to beginning treatment, a topical numbing cream will be applied. Most people find the process quick and pain-free; sensations may vary depending on where treatment takes place as well as personal pain tolerance. A more sensitive area such as your face may experience more discomfort than armpits or abdomen.
Hair removal lasers emit light that is then converted to heat and destroys the hair follicle, stopping its capacity for further hair production. Multiple treatments will likely be necessary to ensure all follicles have been effectively targeted and destroyed.
After receiving laser treatments, some individuals may experience some irritation which should subside within several hours. If this persists beyond that, try applying an ice pack to soothe any further irritation; avoid rubbing as this may increase discomfort further. Some patients find taking mild pain relievers prior to their appointments helps lessen discomfort further.
Laser hair removal may cause side effects that include redness and swelling in the treated area, hyper- or hypopigmentation as a result of laser light targeting pigmented cells in skin to destroy them. If any persistent or severe side effects arise, contact your physician immediately.
Effective laser hair removal depends heavily on both your skin tone and hair color. Laser removal works best on people with dark hair and light skin; due to this contrast between their colors making it easier for hair follicles to absorb laser light and be vaporized by its heat; less effective are treatments on people with darker or lighter colored locks, or those whose lighter gray locks do not absorb this energy efficiently.
Laser hair removal treatments can become less effective if you use sunless tanning lotions or have recently had sunburn. You should wait several weeks before using any sunless tanning agents or spending time in the sun again, as this could delay treatment processes significantly. Furthermore, plucking or waxing your hair could prevent laser beams from targeting hair follicles effectively and could delay its treatment process further.
Post-Procedure
Once laser hair removal treatment has taken place, your skin may look red or swollen for several hours after treatment has begun. Applying a cold compress or taking an over-the-counter pain reliever such as Tylenol might help ease any discomfort experienced; this is a perfectly normal reaction that should dissipate after several hours.
Once your skin begins to heal, you may experience slight changes in both hair and skin in the area treated. Some individuals experience darker spots while others see lighter patches – this is due to laser light targeting only pigment in hair but not skin pigment, and should last no more than several months.
Your doctor will give you specific instructions regarding post-laser hair removal care for optimal results and reduced risks, such as not using any creams or makeup on the treated area because this could irritate it further.
After laser hair removal, it is wise to avoid direct sunlight and tanning beds as this may decrease their effectiveness. Instead, apply broad spectrum sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher daily; and avoid shaving, waxing or plucking the treated area since this could stimulate hair follicles and encourage regrowth; only shave any new growth between treatments.
Men and women typically need six or more laser hair removal sessions spaced four to six weeks apart for long-lasting results. Keep in mind, though, that even after multiple sessions some regrowth may still occur during periods of hormonal fluctuations.
Laser hair removal is an effective and safe solution to unwanted hair removal for most men and women who do not undergo medical procedures such as electrolysis or reconstructive facial reconstruction. If any side effects that persist or worsen are experienced during treatment, it would be prudent to consult a dermatologist who specializes in this form of therapy for assistance.
