Armpit laser hair removal is an efficient and non-painful method to permanently reduce unwanted underarm hair.
Before beginning any treatment, avoid products that darken the skin – this includes sunless tanners and some shave creams – that darken it further. Furthermore, avoid direct sunlight as much as possible and wear sunblock on your arms to keep their complexion even.
Cost
Cost of armpit laser hair removal varies based on location, equipment used and length of treatment time. To get an estimate for laser hair removal costs accurately, it’s best to visit a provider and inquire. Some providers provide free consultations while others require an up-front payment; prior to making your decision it is essential that you research their credentials and portfolio thoroughly.
Laser hair removal is typically more economical in the long run than shaving or waxing, with reduced environmental impacts from disposable razor blades or waxing supplies. However, initial costs can be prohibitively expensive, and several treatments may be needed before results appear.
Additionally, consider whether or not your health insurance will cover the procedure; most policies won’t as it’s considered elective cosmetic work and not necessary to your wellbeing. In such a situation, however, flexible spending accounts or personal loans could provide alternatives solutions.
Prior to your laser hair removal appointment, it is recommended to shave the area as thoroughly as possible in order to eliminate as much unwanted hair as possible. Furthermore, deodorant or heavily-scented soap should also be avoided in this region as deodorants and heavily perfumed soaps could trigger redness, swelling and irritation post-treatment; ice packs may help relieve some discomfort afterward; additionally it would be prudent to limit sun exposure afterward.
If you have darker skin, laser hair removal treatments may cause your area to darken as an unexpected side effect, though this usually doesn’t last very long. If this does occur, be sure to speak to your physician and follow their advice regarding treatment of the affected area.
Laser hair removal can be an excellent choice for eliminating unsightly underarm hair permanently and safely. Shaving can lead to cuts and snags on the skin while tweezers take too long and pain when used incorrectly; waxing is even worse and may lead to ingrown hairs; so laser hair removal could save money spent on razors and waxing kits that will eventually wear out and become outdated or blunted.
Side effects
Laser hair removal involves using a high-power laser that emits heat to destroy hair follicles. As a result, patients often report experiencing red and swollen skin post treatment; this usually subsides within a few days and requires no medical attention or antibiotic cream treatment for minor infections that arise as a result. It is best not to scrub affected areas as this could spread the infection further and it should also be reported immediately to a dermatologist if any indications of infection emerges.
After laser hair removal, individuals should avoid direct sunlight on the treated area for at least 30 minutes post-procedure. Wearing broad-spectrum sunscreen of SPF 30 should provide ample protection, especially for darker skin tones that are more vulnerable to pigment changes and pigmentation changes. Anyone taking blood-thinning medication must also consult their dermatologist prior to beginning this procedure.
Laser hair removal differs from shaving or waxing in that its effects are considered permanent, although it may take several sessions before reaching desired results. This is because hair grows in cycles and different follicles are at various stages of development at any given time; additionally, there may be risks such as scarring and pigmentation changes associated with this procedure.
Some individuals may be sensitive to the laser energy used during this procedure, causing discomfort or blisters. To reduce risk, it’s also wise to refrain from using products which darken skin before and during treatments; similarly, individuals should stop shaving or plucking within six weeks prior to receiving therapy sessions.
Although laser hair removal is generally safe, it should not be performed on people whose skin reacts badly to light or who have had previous skin cancer treatments. Furthermore, those suffering from psoriasis or keloid scarring should not undergo this form of hair removal treatment and those taking isotretinoin (Accutane), which weakens skin cells should avoid laser treatments as this could weaken them further.
Preparation
Before undergoing laser hair removal treatment, it’s essential that your armpits are thoroughly prepared. Shaving is best performed the day or night prior to an appointment in order to reduce thermal injury to the skin while enabling laser energy to effectively target hair follicles without having to waste energy on surface areas of skin. Any products containing salicylic acid, alphahydroxy acid or benzoyl peroxide as these may increase light sensitivity and hinder its effectiveness.
Waxing or tweezing of the area before beginning treatment should also be avoided, as these methods disturb hair follicles that produce new hairs. To maximize results, these methods should not be utilized within six weeks prior to your procedure.
At your laser hair removal session, a trained professional will first clean and apply any needed topical numbing cream before using a handheld device that emits laser light directly into the underarm area – each individual laser light flash will feel similar to snapping rubber bands against your skin or getting an injection through an intradermal vein; these sessions typically last no more than 30 minutes in total.
After your laser hair removal sessions, you should notice fewer and finer underarm hairs after each session; however, several sessions may be required in order to achieve your desired results due to different hair follicles growing at different rates. Over time, however, you should reach a point in which underarm hair has permanently decreased or stopped altogether.
Maintaining results requires regular laser hair removal sessions; maintenance sessions should occur every 6-12 months or when underarm hair begins regrowing. Also, direct sun exposure or any sources of UV rays after your treatment should be avoided to minimize redness, irritation, or discomfort after each visit to a certified professional for effective laser hair removal treatments.
Results
Laser hair removal offers an alternative to shaving and waxing that permanently reduces underarm hair growth. Usually the process only takes a few minutes and causes minimal discomfort compared to shaving or waxing; to minimize discomfort further apply a cool compress over the area during treatment and/or use topical anesthetic to minimize sensations of heat during your session.
Laser hair removal results can be permanent with regular treatments; however, results vary between individuals so it’s essential that you understand how this treatment works before scheduling an appointment.
One week prior to laser treatment, it is best to refrain from using any hair removal products, including depilatory creams. This will enable the laser light to effectively penetrate skin layers and reach hair follicles without being hindered or blocked by products like depilatory creams. You should also limit sun exposure and tanning activities which could potentially darken skin tones further and hinder proper targeting of the laser light beam onto hair follicles by the laser treatment.
As part of the laser treatment, you will sit comfortably while the technician uses a handheld device to direct a beam of light onto your underarms. The laser targets pigment in hair follicles, which causes their destruction. Although most people can safely undergo this treatment, those taking certain medical conditions or taking certain medications such as acne treatments or having genital herpes/cold sores should avoid having it done.
Laser hair removal works best on individuals with light skin and dark hair, as the contrast helps the laser target hair follicles effectively. Unfortunately, this treatment should be avoided for individuals who have an increased risk of scarring from previous surgeries such as keloid scarring or deep psoriasis outbreaks, as it could result in burns and discoloration to their skin.
After your initial laser hair removal treatment session, results should become visible within 12 weeks. Some individuals require multiple sessions before reaching their desired result; if this does not meet with your expectations, please speak to your practitioner to determine additional options available to you.