Laser hair removal is a popular solution to lighten dark underarms, but does it actually lighten them?
Armpit laser treatments tend to be painless; each laser zap feels similar to having a rubber band snap against your skin.
1. It’s Not a Skin-Lightening Treatment
Laser hair removal is an increasingly popular cosmetic procedure used to rid oneself of unwanted body hair, but it doesn’t lighten or bleach skin in any way. Gmyrek states: “When done by experienced professionals, laser hair removal may temporarily reduce dark underarms by permanently dismantling hair follicles – but this treatment won’t lighten or bleach skin regardless of how dark its hue.
At a laser hair removal session, your professional will first clean the treatment area before applying an anesthetic cream and placing a hand-held device over your armpit. A laser beam heats pigment in your hair follicles and damages them, stopping future production of new hairs. The entire procedure usually lasts less than half a minute to several minutes and shouldn’t feel any worse than shaving or waxing your underarms; though some patients experience burning sensations; therefore it’s essential that you follow all instructions provided by your practitioner on how best to minimize pain while side effects or risks and side effects as directed by them as soon as possible!
Your desired results typically require multiple sessions of laser hair removal spaced four to six weeks apart, at four-to-six week intervals. Although this varies from patient to patient, most experience reduced hair growth and an end to shaving or waxing altogether. Your provider may recommend touch-up sessions annually in order to maintain these results.
Hyperpigmentation may occur after laser hair removal in people with darker complexions; however, this doesn’t have to be an issue. If your dark underarms become discolored after laser hair removal sessions, hydrocortisone cream or topical anti-inflammatory medications can be used to address it and address any potential discolorations issues.
Laser hair removal cannot provide a permanent solution for underarm odor, since sweat is an odorless natural byproduct of your body. Instead, bacteria in your armpits turn it into an offensive scent. Washing regularly or using antiperspirant will be effective in neutralizing it.
Laser hair removal treatments offer many advantages over shaving or waxing your underarms, including eliminating ingrown hairs, razor burn, redness or dark marks on skin caused by stubble left behind, ingrown hairs becoming ingrown or razor burn. For those who find its benefits outweigh its possible drawbacks, laser hair removal treatment should certainly be taken into account as an option for their underarm hair.
2. It’s Not a Permanent Solution
Laser hair removal cannot provide a permanent solution due to how hair growth and body pigmentation works. Pigment in hair attracts heat from lasers, which then destroys its follicle and stops producing more hair follicles – yet lasers cannot reach every hair shaft, leading to future regrowth; hence why sessions of laser hair removal typically follow each other.
To treat each follicle, the laser emits a pulse of light that lasts just a fraction of a second – this light does not cause pain to the skin and small areas like your upper lip may be treated quickly while larger treatment sites such as on your back could take several hours. While being treated by laser therapy you may detect smoke-like aromas as hair pigment is destroyed.
After receiving laser hair removal treatments, your skin may become red or swollen and require special care as it heals. Sun exposure should be avoided while using sunscreen with a high SPF daily to allow healing; cold compresses or topical cream may be useful as well. Annual touch-up sessions may be necessary, although most patients achieve permanent hair reduction after four to seven sessions.
Traditional methods for removing unwanted hair, like shaving, waxing and creams can be painful, labor intensive and expensive over time. Laser hair removal offers an alternative that saves time, reduces discomfort and helps avoid razor bumps and ingrown hairs – without constant maintenance! For more information about how laser treatments could reduce hair growth with zero maintenance needed – schedule a consultation online with Spring Street Dermatology located in SOHO, Tribeca or Uptown NYC where one of their dermatologists can suggest the ideal laser hair removal treatments tailored specifically to your unique skin type needs and needs! To learn more, schedule a consultation online or call Spring Street Dermatology who specialize in offering long term solutions customized specifically to individual skin types/needs!
3. It’s Not a Safe Treatment
Laser hair removal works by employing pulses of light energy to target and destroy hair follicle pigmentation, but for some individuals achieving optimal results can be challenging due to similar pigmentations between their skin and hair which makes it hard for laser treatments to distinguish between them. As such, people with blonde or reddish-blond locks may not receive desired results due to ineffective targeting by the laser beam.
Other variables can influence whether or not laser treatments will work, including hair texture and skin tone, medical conditions that cause hormonal imbalances, as well as using at-home laser hair removal kits which do not possess as powerful a laser as those found at medical practitioners’ practices.
Although laser treatment performed by a board-certified dermatologist is generally safe, side effects do occasionally arise. Common examples include changes to skin color (darkening or lightening), cold sore outbreaks, blisters and scarring as well as infections; more likely among tanners or those using at-home laser kits or visiting unqualified practitioners for their treatments.
While some side effects are temporary, others may be permanent. This is because laser’s light energy destroys hair follicles so they cannot produce unwanted hair anymore; those remaining will continue producing finer and lighter locks than were present before treatment, though their appearance won’t be nearly as noticeable.
Dr. Malik and other contributing experts advise patients looking to reduce side effects prior to laser hair removal sessions to forgoing tanning and sunless tanninners, plucking, waxing and electrolysis as these can disrupt hair follicles. Furthermore, blood-thinning medications like aspirin should also be avoided prior to visiting their appointments; additionally protective goggles must always be worn during their visit in order to safeguard against laser’s light energy and ensure optimal outcomes; should minor side effects arise, these should usually subside shortly afterwards; should they persist for too long they should generally pass within hours or so from your appointment date.
4. It’s Not a Cost-Effective Treatment
Many people mistakenly believe that laser hair removal is more cost-effective than waxing or shaving; in reality, however, this is far from true; on average, one underarm laser treatment costs approximately $287; several sessions over several weeks may be necessary in order to achieve desired results. Shaving and waxing are much cheaper options but only provide temporary results which require touchups regularly.
Laser technology uses light pulses to destroy hair follicles completely and will prevent regrowth, but as only 30% of hair follicles are active at any one time, repeat treatments regularly in order for it to remain effective.
Note that laser hair removal does not remove sweat odor from armpits. Sweat itself is odorless; what creates body odor is bacteria on the surface of skin accumulating, leading to sweat breakdown and producing an unpleasant odor.
Laser hair removal should always start with cost in mind, since the procedure falls under cosmetic category and usually won’t be covered by private insurance plans. However, you could ask your provider if the procedure can be considered medically necessary under specific circumstances.
Prior and following laser hair removal, it’s recommended that patients refrain from direct sunlight (including tanning beds) in their armpit areas for six weeks after treatment, since exposure may cause skin darkening within treated areas.
Laser treatments for underarm hair removal can also be unpleasant due to thin skin in that region of the body. Many who have tried it compare the sensation with having a rubber band snap against your skin – and can cause greater pain in certain spots than others.
Laser hair removal offers an affordable solution for anyone seeking to eliminate underarm hair. Furthermore, its safe and effective nature make it suitable for most individuals; moreover, its uses extend well beyond simply hair removal – its healing powers may help treat multiple conditions or disorders as well. To learn more about laser hair removal for underarms contact Radiance Skincare & Laser Medspa today to arrange a consultation!
