Laser hair removal is a cosmetic procedure. A practitioner uses a handheld device against your skin and activates a laser beam to heat up and destroy pigment in hair follicles, leading to permanent hair reduction.
Laser therapy works best on individuals with dark hair and light skin because their different pigmentation allows the laser to more easily target follicles. Tanned skin reduces this contrast, rendering this technique less effective.
How Does UV Light Work?
Laser and IPL hair removal devices utilize powerful light energy to effectively stop or reduce unwanted facial and body hair growth, and have become popular cosmetic treatments at beauty salons, medi-spas, dermatology clinics and spas.
Laser hair removal works by targeting dark target matter such as melanin (the pigment responsible for giving skin its color), heating it up and disabling the follicle to prevent future hair growth. Due to the nature of its design, the laser machine only heats this targeted matter while leaving surrounding skin unaffected by treatment.
Selective photothermolysis, commonly referred to as laser hair removal, has been developed and refined over the last 30 years in order to offer safe and effective hair removal treatments with minimal collateral effects on surrounding tissues and skin.
Cooling devices are used alongside laser treatments to protect the surface of skin from being damaged during laser treatments and reduce discomfort, especially in more delicate areas like neck and back. A topical anesthetic may also be applied prior to beginning.
Some individuals can experience mild to severe reactions after laser hair removal treatments, from minor irritations to burns. Redness, swelling, and bumps after treatment are a common side effect and should clear within hours or days; for optimal results use broad spectrum SPF sunscreen daily on treated areas and use an ice pack if symptoms reactivate after laser hair removal treatments.
There is an assortment of laser and IPL hair removal machines on the market, ranging from high-powered professional models to portable at-home devices that are cost effective and can be bought cheaply online. Professional clinics typically offer more comprehensive treatments. Their trained operatives will guide you in selecting an appropriate device suited for your skin type and hair color needs.
When shopping for at-home devices, look for those that offer detailed specifications and safety guidelines regarding use. This should include information regarding what UV wavelengths it emits – it’s best to steer clear of harmful UVC wavelengths used for tanning beds and similar purposes.
What Types of Machines Use UV Light?
There are various machines that utilize UV light, including tanning beds, counterfeit money detectors, blacklight stage lamps and mineral displays, lamps that produce Ozone or germicidal ultraviolet (UVC) lights; UVC rays may also be used in hospitals to sterilize surfaces and equipment while disinfecting airborne bacteria and viruses that could make someone ill.
Scientists have long understood that UVC lighting effectively kills bacteria and viruses quickly; however, conventional germicidal UVC lamps pose risks to skin and eyes due to their powerful output.
Researchers have created a more powerful UVC lamp. However, with shorter wavelengths that do not penetrate skin or eyes, researchers have created a much safer UVC lamp suitable for indoor use.
These new lamps, commonly referred to as far-UVC lamps, were developed by scientists at Columbia University and are now commercially available for purchase. Easy installation without requiring users to change their behavior is key when killing airborne viruses in occupied spaces, which this technology has demonstrated successfully.
All radiation, from UV rays to radio waves and microwaves used in your kitchen oven for food heating, forms part of the electromagnetic spectrum. Radio waves transmit sound from radio stations to your stereo; microwaves heat food quickly in your oven; visible light shines down from the sun or bathroom fixtures, while X-rays capture images inside your body that doctors can use as diagnostics tools.
All forms of energy provide both benefits and risks to humans, for instance X-rays can help detect and treat cancer, but can also damage eyes, skin and reproductive systems. UV rays belong to UV radiation spectrum with three subcategories (A, B and C).
UV radiation spectrum has many detrimental health effects and too much exposure can be hazardous, yet the amount you come into contact with depends on the thickness of our Earth’s ozone layer.
How Much Does UV Light Cost?
Laser hair removal costs vary depending on both location and area being treated. Treatment itself tends to be more costly than shaving or waxing for temporary hair removal; however, its long-term benefits of less body hair maintenance could offset its initial investment in treatment.
When conducting the procedure, your provider will press a handheld device against your skin and activate a laser, taking anywhere from minutes to over an hour depending on the size of the treatment area. After your procedure, redness and swelling may persist for hours to days post-treatment – using an ice pack on this area can help alleviate these side effects.
Prior to your treatment, the area being targeted must be shaved to remove existing hairs and ensure the laser can precisely target hair follicles which are producing new ones. Furthermore, sun exposure or tanning beds must also be avoided for several weeks after and prior to this process as laser light attracts pigmentation, thus hindering its effectiveness in targeting new growth.
Laser hair removal has quickly gained in popularity as it offers permanent results in just minutes, as well as being safer than other methods such as electrolysis. Before choosing laser hair removal as your solution, however, it is essential that you understand its risks and potential complications before proceeding.
If you are considering laser hair removal, it is advisable to seek professional assistance. Such experts will be able to recommend the appropriate treatment plan based on your unique situation, and can answer any queries regarding its procedure or potential side effects.
At-home laser treatments should also be avoided for hair removal. Such devices tend to be small and power limited, making it impossible to treat larger parts of your body effectively. Furthermore, there has been no definitive research that proves their efficacy.
What Are the Benefits of UV Light?
Laser treatments for hair removal can quickly and effectively reduce or eradicate unwanted body hair. The procedure requires no downtime, with long-lasting results that reduce or eliminate shaving, tweezing, threading and waxing being the traditional methods for hair removal; laser hair removal provides relief from conditions like folliculitis, hirsutism and hidradenitis suppurativa as well.
Hair removal lasers come in all shapes and sizes, but the ideal ones have an optimal combination of spot size, fluence (energy density) and wavelength for each individual skin type and treatment area. Furthermore, experienced laser hair removal practitioners will possess an in-depth knowledge of their patients’ specific skin and hair needs.
Home laser devices should be avoided as they have not been tested and could result in burns, scarring or other severe side effects. Furthermore, using home-based devices makes finding an appropriate type of laser more challenging – you could end up spending too much money or suffering more side effects than desired!
To ensure the safest and most effective experience, always choose a medical doctor with expertise in dermatology or cosmetic surgery. Carefully review their credentials to make sure that they comply with established training, skill, and insurance standards. Spas, salons and facilities that allow nonmedical staff to administer laser treatments should also be avoided.
Before your initial laser session, it is wise to shave the area to be treated and wear special goggles to protect your eyes from its laser beam. Some practitioners may also apply cooling gel or air spray prior to beginning treatment as well as use topical anesthetics in order to minimize discomfort during treatment.
Your exact number of sessions depends on your skin type and hair color, but it is vital that you follow your practitioner’s advice regarding sun exposure both prior to and after treatment.
Laser hair removal works best on those with pale skin and dark hair, while it may not be as successful for people tanned with suntans; therefore it is recommended to allow any such tanning to fade before starting laser treatment.
