Your skin may become red and swollen immediately following laser hair removal, so it’s essential that you shave before receiving the laser treatment in order to allow the laser to target hair follicles properly. Also avoid plucking or waxing hair in the area as this could negatively impact the results of treatment.
It’s safe
Laser hair removal can be an effective and safe solution to unwanted body hair removal. However, it’s essential to understand its risks prior to undertaking treatment – these risks include pigment changes, scarring and potential infections. Laser hair removal typically takes place in a dermatology office with trained technicians applying numbing cream to the area prior to the procedure to alleviate discomfort; depending on patient tolerance this could either produce burning sensations or even stinging.
Laser technology uses light energy that is absorbed by melanin found in hair follicles to produce heat, and eventually destroy them and stop their ability to produce more hair. While shaving and waxing remove only the tips of hair follicles, laser treatment destroys all follicles simultaneously; in addition, this procedure can also treat ingrown hairs and reduce hyperpigmentation on the skin.
However, this procedure may not be for everyone. People with dark skin and light hair should avoid this process because the contrast between their respective hues could result in temporary lightening of their complexions. Furthermore, this treatment should also not be pursued when taking blood thinning medications or suffering from genital herpes/cold sores.
Finding a board-certified dermatologist for laser hair removal treatments is important, as they possess the training and experience to provide results which are more safe than at-home devices. In addition, they may provide additional solutions tailored specifically for you.
Laser hair removal may cause side effects including numbness and skin redness in the treatment area, though these usually subside within days or may require medical assistance if they persist longer than that.
As part of reducing complications from laser hair removal treatments, it is recommended to refrain from shaving, plucking or waxing for at least six weeks prior to receiving therapy. If necessary, shave just once the day prior so your hair has enough thickness to absorb laser energy and be absorbable by laser light energy. Furthermore, avoid sun exposure and tanning beds in order to minimize pigmentation issues in treated areas.
It’s effective
Laser hair removal is an extremely effective solution to permanently eliminate unwanted hair. A technician uses a handheld device to target pigment in your follicles; then heat from the laser destroys these follicles to stop further hair growth. Treatment sessions should occur every four or six weeks for best results; hair may still return over time but at a much slower rate than previously.
Before beginning laser treatment, it is recommended to shave the area that will be treated, which allows the laser to penetrate deeply enough and destroy hair follicles. You should also refrain from waxing and plucking for several weeks prior to your appointment as this will reduce effectiveness of treatment. Tans will make treatment less efficient.
During treatment, the technician will press a handheld device against your skin and activate a laser, creating the sensation of snapping elastic band against your skin. Treatment could last 15 minutes or longer depending on which area is targeted; you will need multiple sessions before seeing noticeable results.
People with light complexions and dark hair tend to benefit most from laser treatment as the contrast in pigment allows the laser to see and target only those follicles it needs, without harming any nearby tissue. When selecting a doctor to perform this procedure, make sure they are registered on an official list that verifies they meet certain standards in training and skill.
Laser hair removal is generally considered safe cosmetic procedure with few potential complications; however, inexperienced practitioners could cause harm. Common side effects include redness and swelling; in rare instances patients may also experience skin darkening/lightening/bleaching/blisters/scarring effects – be sure to discuss all risks with your physician prior to initiating any procedure.
Laser hair removal should also be kept in mind as not being permanent; even with multiple sessions, some unwanted hair will continue to grow back despite these treatments. But these treatments can significantly decrease density of unwanted hair, leading to permanent reductions for some while most will need additional laser sessions on an ongoing basis.
It’s not painful
Laser hair removal is far less painful than shaving or waxing; in fact, some people report experiencing no discomfort at all. Pain levels vary depending on which area is being treated as well as an individual’s tolerance level; upper lip and bikini areas tend to be especially sensitive due to dense nerve density in these locations.
To minimize pain for patients, most technicians apply topical anesthetic before beginning laser treatments. This reduces the sensation of laser pulses on skin, making treatment more comfortable. Once applied, each pulse of laser takes only seconds to complete; thus enabling technicians to treat large areas efficiently without creating pain for patients.
Heat from a laser destroys hair follicles, stopping them from producing new hair growth. While this does reduce hair regrowth, many individuals require several sessions in order to permanently stop its presence across most of their bodies.
At these treatments, it is vital that other forms of hair removal, such as waxing or plucking are avoided as this could compromise their effectiveness and lead to less than ideal results. Furthermore, UV rays from sunlight may damage the skin causing pigmentation issues as well.
Laser hair removal during pregnancy should not be attempted due to hormonal changes that could result in extra hairs growing unwanted places. However, once she has completed her gestation and her hormonal levels have returned to normal she can have laser hair removal done as soon as the changes have gone away.
Although laser hair removal isn’t permanent, most people experience lasting effects from laser treatments that last months and even years. If any new hair grows back after treatment with lasers, it is often thinner and lighter than before.
Laser hair removal may not be considered permanent but most individuals don’t experience new hair growth after receiving their allotted number of treatments. If you have any queries about laser hair removal, Ideal Image offers highly trained medical professionals to answer them for a consultation session.
It’s affordable
Though laser hair removal might appear expensive, it’s actually much less costly than using alternative methods of removal such as shaving or waxing. Shaving can become increasingly more costly over time due to frequent shaving sessions while waxing does nothing to address the source of hair issues; ingrown hairs from shaving may occur whereas laser treatments eliminate them at their source and prevent future issues from developing.
Most patients require two to six sessions for permanent hair removal. Between treatments, it’s advisable to limit sun exposure and apply broad spectrum sunscreen. If cost is an issue for you, speak to your dermatologist about a payment plan; alternatively they may recommend less costly devices that still provide effective results.
Before beginning a laser session, your dermatologist will apply a topical numbing agent. This helps minimize the sting from the laser and make the experience more comfortable. They’ll then adjust their laser equipment according to your skin tone and type of hair; those with darker complexions may require devices with longer wavelengths in order to effectively target hair growth.
Following your treatment, it is normal to experience some discomfort or redness; this usually resolves within several hours and you can apply a cold compress to reduce any irritation.
Only a small percentage of individuals experience more severe side effects from laser hair removal, including blisters or skin crusting. While these instances are rare, you should contact your physician if any occur. Furthermore, those with sensitive skin should avoid receiving laser treatment on their faces or necks, as these areas can be more challenging to treat and lead to permanent scarring or discoloration as a result of treatment.
Most people find laser hair removal an affordable alternative to shaving and waxing, saving both time and money with less hair removal required in the future. Most importantly, laser hair removal saves both money and time as an average person spends 72 days of their lifetime shave-shaving their legs! Plus you’ll have more money left over to invest in other ways!
