Laser hair removal is one of the best methods available to permanently eliminate unwanted hair. Unlike waxing or plucking, laser treatment damages hair follicles and prevents new growth.
However, there may be factors which impede results. Certain medications – such as antibiotic tetracycline and acne medication Accutane – can increase skin sensitivity and the risk of laser damage.
1. I have sensitive skin
Skin sensitivity to laser heat can have a considerable impact on how effective laser treatments are for you. If your skin is particularly delicate, it would likely be wiser for you to opt out entirely; otherwise, treatments may still provide benefits if certain precautions are taken prior to and post procedure.
Before beginning treatment, it’s wise to avoid applying lotions and creams that could make the area extra sensitive and thus make laser hair removal harder. Also, for 48 hours after your session it may be beneficial to switch to taking cool showers instead of hot ones as hot showers could make skin even more delicate; saunas, hot tubs and heating pads should be avoided altogether for maximum success.
Sun exposure is an additional factor that could impede laser hair removal results, so it’s wise to stay out of direct sunlight before and after your sessions, particularly if you’ve recently traveled or developed a tan.
Before your laser hair removal treatment, it’s best to shave the area you will be treating 1-2 days in advance. This will ensure there is little-to-no hair present and give the laser better chances of reaching hair follicles. Furthermore, in the weeks before and after treatments it is wise not to tweeze or wax this area as this could set back progress and extend time needed for desired results.
2. I’m pregnant
Pregnancy hormone changes often result in new hair growth that was previously unseen, such as unusual facial or body hair growth in previously non-hairy places. While this is perfectly normal and should return after you give birth, many reputable laser clinics won’t perform laser treatment because there have been no studies conducted into how such treatment could impact an unborn baby.
Women should generally avoid depilatory creams during gestation as these contain chemicals which could potentially cause pain or skin damage, making alternative ways of hair removal necessary while expecting.
Women shouldn’t get laser hair removal during their pregnancies because it could wreak havoc with the natural cycle of hair growth. Laser hair removal depends on follicles being in their anagen phase when being treated, and pregnancy hormones delay this process, making the hair appear thicker and fuller before eventually going into their telogen phase postpartum and eventually falling out naturally.
Though there is no clinical evidence showing laser treatment is harmful to babies, most reputable clinics will err on the side of caution and advise women to wait until postpartum before undertaking this treatment. In the meantime, women can shave or wax their hair to keep comfortable as their bodies return to its natural hair removal cycles; this process could take anywhere from months up to a year depending on where exactly it’s being treated.
3. I’m allergic to the numbing cream
Are You Tired of Shaving or Tweezing and Seeking Permanent Hair Removal Solutions? Laser hair removal should definitely be on your radar if you want a long-term solution to getting rid of unwanted hair, such as waxing and depilatory creams that require painful waxing sessions and upkeep (Shaving can lead to cuts). Also, laser treatments are much safer as razor blades may cause accidental cuts during their use compared to temporary methods like waxing (Waxing can cause painful waxing sessions), while temporary methods like shaving may cause cuts from shaving!
Before beginning laser hair-removal treatments, make sure you perform some preparation work. On the day of your appointment, shave as you normally would (although less hair may be necessary than previously assumed). It’s best to use a clean razor – dirty ones may contain bacteria which could worsen discomfort during laser treatments.
Next, a specialist will press a hand-held laser instrument against your skin while applying a cooling device or gel for protection. The laser then emits intense heat that destroys hair follicles to stop future hair growth – though you might experience some discomfort or itchiness during this procedure; to help ease any pain relief taking an acetaminophen pill beforehand can provide comfort relief.
After your treatment, you may experience redness and swelling that resembles mild sunburn. To reduce sun exposure on the treated area and ensure faster hair follicle shedding process, wear sunscreen with SPF 30 protection or higher and apply regular exfoliations treatments several times weekly to your treatment zone.
Consider, too, that if you have taken time off for laser hair removal treatments due to coronavirus infection or another medical issue, taking longer breaks might negatively impact the results of these sessions – however, once your skin has recovered you can resume treatments once healed.
4. I’m allergic to the laser
Laser hair removal is an innovative, safe and long-term treatment to control unwanted hair growth. Treatment sessions may help you reduce or even eradicate hair growth altogether based on skin tone, thickness of hair growth and other factors; multiple sessions over time could eventually decrease the need for shaving, waxing, plucking or tweezing as part of a maintenance regime designed to achieve clear skin.
Redness or swelling are among the more commonly experienced side effects, but these should resolve themselves shortly after receiving your treatment and don’t usually interfere with its success. Should discomfort or pain arise, over-the-counter medicines like Tylenol may provide relief.
If your skin is more delicate, consider applying a cooling gel or using a cold compress before your appointment to ease symptoms and allow the laser to target hair follicles effectively without inadvertently burning surrounding skin. This can allow it to do its work more effectively and target hair follicles more accurately without harming surrounding tissues.
Before and during laser hair removal sessions, it is wise to avoid tanning products of all types — including sunless tanning products — as this could reduce their efficacy while leading to hyperpigmentation of your skin which could last years after.
On the day of your treatment, shave the area(s) to be treated to remove longer hairs and stimulate active growing stages in follicles – this makes laser targeting much easier. Avoid plucking or waxing as this could prevent enough hair being affected by laser damage.
If you’re considering laser hair removal, it is important to keep in mind that the process can take time. Multiple sessions over an extended period may be needed before reaching desired hair reduction, and follow-up treatments may be needed in order to maintain results. Working with an experienced and qualified laser technician can significantly shorten the length of treatment sessions.
5. I’m allergic to the medication
People using laser hair removal might develop allergies to the medication used. If this occurs, it’s essential that they inform their physician as soon as possible as this could necessitate changing dosage or switching up treatments in order to address them effectively and ensure an effective procedure. In extreme cases, an allergy could even cause skin irritation and pain which will thwart treatment effectiveness altogether.
Redness and swelling following laser hair removal treatments is a normal reaction and should subside within hours or days. Any discomfort can be soothed with cold compresses or topical steroid cream applications. Direct sunlight should also be avoided on areas that were treated, especially if further sessions are planned – therefore wearing sunscreen and adhering to your doctor’s recommendations are best practiced for maximum efficacy.
If you are sensitive to the medication used during laser hair removal, it is strongly advised that you do not undergo treatment as this could result in skin damage or even scarring. Furthermore, it’s essential that any other allergies be brought up to your physician so they can provide appropriate advice regarding which method would be most suitable.
Laser hair removal can be an effective way to minimize unwanted hair growth on the face, legs, arms, chin and other parts of the body. The procedure works by beaming highly concentrated light into hair follicles where pigment absorbs it and destroys it – it is best to prepare for laser hair removal by forgoing waxing, plucking and depilatory cream use for at least six weeks prior to any appointment to allow lasers to target root-level targets effectively.
