Laser hair removal reduces unwanted body hair by eliminating the need for shaving, waxing or depilation; additionally it eliminates infection risks associated with these methods of hair removal.
Laser treatments tend to work best on people with dark hair and light skin because the contrast between pigmentation of both makes it easier for the laser beam to target only hair follicles while sparing any collateral skin damage.
Cost
Like with any treatment, selecting an experienced provider for laser treatments is paramount to successful results. A dermatologist or plastic surgeon are more likely to deliver positive outcomes without experiencing side effects than an esthetician who only specializes in facials. Spas and salons with nonmedical staff providing laser services increase risk for injuries or side effects significantly.
An initial consultation is the cornerstone of laser hair removal procedures. A consultant will examine your skin type and medical history to make sure you’re an ideal candidate, then conduct a safety patch test to make sure there won’t be any reactions from laser light exposure. After this assessment is complete, they’ll arrange multiple treatment sessions with them over a period of time.
The number of laser hair removal sessions necessary will depend on your hair color and coarseness as well as hormonal influences. Furthermore, it should be noted that laser treatment doesn’t destroy every single follicle so some will eventually grow back. Most often however, any new growth is lighter and finer than before treatment and therefore less time needs to be spent shaving, waxing or plucking it away.
Laser treatment may seem costly in comparison with other methods for body hair removal; however, over time it could save money by eliminating razors and shaving cream purchases or paying for waxing appointments.
Laser hair removal is faster and less painful than traditional methods like waxing and tweezing, with sessions lasting only around one minute per session and shorter treatment intervals between treatments than with traditional methods such as waxing.
Laser hair removal does carry some risks, including irritation and redness; however, these effects tend to be minimal for most people and this treatment doesn’t cause major side effects. More serious side effects may occur; in rare instances these could include permanent skin lightening/darkening/darkening, scarring, blistering and changes in texture/color/texture – should any such issues arise it’s important to see a doctor immediately and avoid sun exposure before and after laser hair removal treatment.
Side Effects
Laser hair removal works by targeting and damaging the hair follicles responsible for hair growth. Light energy from a laser targets these follicles, heating and damaging them as melanin absorbs its light energy to heat and damage hair follicles in turn, leading to reduced and finer hairs growing back after each treatment session. Most people report minimal discomfort during or following laser hair removal sessions.
Many laser clinics provide numbing cream and cooling devices to ease the discomfort associated with laser treatments. When discussing which areas and amounts of hair you wish to treat with your technician, be upfront and honest as this will determine how many sessions are necessary and any benefits or risks involved prior to beginning.
One common side effect of laser hair removal is redness and swelling, often appearing like mild sunburn but sometimes more serious. Cool baths or using an ice pack may help alleviate discomfort caused by laser hair removal, while direct sunlight should be avoided on treated areas after laser hair removal has taken place.
Your desired number of laser hair removal treatments depends on several factors, including your hair and skin types, the area being treated and type of laser used by your technician. At your consultation appointment, your technician will outline exactly how many treatments will be necessary in order for you to reach optimal results.
After several months, some patients may require touch-up treatments with laser hair removal. These can usually be performed quickly and conveniently by a dermatologist, unlike shaving and waxing which often leads to ingrown hairs or other undesirable side effects. Furthermore, laser hair removal offers faster results and greater satisfaction compared to these conventional techniques.
Though laser hair removal is generally safe for most individuals, certain individuals should avoid getting it done – including pregnant or trying-to-conceive women. Due to no scientific studies proving its safety for pregnant women and postpartum hormones being back to normal before having it performed, waiting until postpartum will allow more safe decisions about laser hair removal procedures.
Safety
Laser technology used for hair removal emits light that targets pigment (melanin) in the skin, which absorbs it and turns it into heat, thus destroying hair follicles and preventing further production of new hair follicles. When administered by a trained technician with sufficient knowledge on safe use of the laser system, hair removal treatments should be considered safe.
At first, laser treatment involves placing the device on the skin and emitting short light pulses for fractions of a second. Patients may feel mild discomfort as laser pulses come into contact with their surface skin; however, this typically passes quickly. Cooling gel is sometimes applied afterwards to further minimize skin sensitivity.
While laser hair removal side effects are unlikely, using an ineffective type of laser for someone with particular skin tone or who recently tanned may increase the risk of burns or blisters. Furthermore, using incorrect treatments or misusing laser can cause discoloration, scarring and texture changes in the skin – therefore choosing a clinic with clinically proven laser technology appropriate to individual’s individual skin tones as well as reading user manual carefully before conducting at home laser hair removal can help ensure a safe experience.
Laser hair removal eliminates the need for painful shaving, waxing and other depilation techniques that are labor-intensive and costly over time. Furthermore, it helps eliminate ingrown hairs, razor bumps and other skin irritations caused by these traditional methods of removal.
Laser hair removal results may be permanent, yet some regrowth may occur as resting and growing cycles change for each individual hair follicle. Therefore, multiple sessions at four-week intervals are often necessary in order to achieve the desired results; additional touch-up treatments may also be necessary to keep up the effects of laser hair removal; although some hair may always grow back it is usually much finer, lighter and softer than before being removed using laser technology.
Results
Laser hair removal works by sending a light beam deep into the skin, targeting pigment in your hair, to destroy hair follicles and stop them from producing new strands, leaving skin smoother and hairier than before. The process is relatively fast and painless; small areas, such as an upper lip can often be treated in just minutes while larger ones, like backs may take several sessions for maximum results.
Laser hair removal offers more precise hair removal than either shaving or waxing and can remove unwanted hair in even the most delicate parts of your body without harming nearby skin. Furthermore, it helps eliminate ingrown hairs associated with traditional methods while simultaneously decreasing stubble created from regular shaving.
Laser treatment won’t get rid of every bit of unwanted hair, but it will substantially thin and finen it over time. Furthermore, you may notice your strands don’t grow as fast requiring less shaving/waxing for your daily beauty regime.
Laser hair removal offers numerous advantages, from saving money on razors, depilatory lotions and waxing appointments to being environmentally friendly compared to other forms of hair removal. Furthermore, it’s an effective and safe method that permanently reduces hair growth.
Though laser hair removal offers numerous advantages, it is important to remember that there may be side effects after treatments such as redness, swelling and blisters. While they tend to be minor in severity, it is still wise to consult your physician or dermatologist should any of the side effects worsen significantly or become severe. Furthermore, in rare instances laser treatments may result in permanent scarring or changes to skin color resulting from treatment.
Laser hair removal is an increasingly popular cosmetic treatment among both men and women who wish to reduce their hair growth. It is particularly useful for people who have difficulty accessing difficult-to-reach areas such as armpits, back, or legs for shaving cream and other traditional hair removal products, or are allergic to chemicals used within them.
