Laser hair removal is a safe, effective solution to help eliminate unwanted body hair. It provides a great alternative to waxing, shaving or plucking for unwanted body hair reduction.
Depilation, waxing and shaving may become unnecessary as laser hair removal helps eliminate hair regrowth over time and leaves skin looking smoother overall. But there are certain points to keep in mind before making your decision.
Age
Laser hair removal is a safe and effective method to permanently reduce unwanted hair growth, saving both time and money in the long run. Though some side effects may arise (though usually minor), before scheduling any laser treatment it’s essential that you speak to a practitioner first as they will be able to address all your queries or concerns.
Laser treatments can be performed on anyone who meets the criteria, including young people. However, due to hormonal fluctuations which affect hair growth and rapid weight gain in teens, 16 is generally the minimum age requirement for laser hair removal treatments on them.
Teenagers must also be mature enough to manage the discomfort associated with laser treatment and maintain proper skin care regimen. A stable lifestyle will allow them to commit to regular treatments and proper skin care regimen. Furthermore, teenagers must understand and abide by any instructions from their practitioner.
People looking into laser hair removal should understand that optimal results may require up to six sessions for optimal results. Each session’s length depends on both the area being treated and how fast hair grows there; additionally, protective eyewear must be worn during laser sessions.
Laser treatment may be uncomfortable, but most patients tolerate it well. Patients have described it as feeling similar to having a rubber band snap against their skin; depending on your skin sensitivity though, you may require more or fewer treatment sessions than expected.
Laser treatments may cause hyperpigmentation, also known as skin discoloration. This occurs due to melanin’s absorption by light. Darkening may occur temporarily or permanently depending on which laser was chosen and its treatment site.
Skin Type
Laser treatments work by targeting pigment in the hair follicle, turning it into heat that disables its hair growth mechanism. Laser treatments are safe and effective treatments to eliminate unwanted hair regardless of age, skin color or complexion or type. While multiple sessions may be needed for maximum results and there’s no guarantee it won’t grow back, if you have specific goals please speak to a doctor or specialist to discuss possible outcomes of their treatment plan.
Your doctor will review both your medical history and skin tone to assess if laser hair removal is a suitable treatment option for you. They may suggest pre-treating with topical products or numbing creams in order to alleviate discomfort or the risk of side effects. They will also address any medications (prescribed and over-the-counter) you are taking as certain can interfere with treatment effectiveness; so be sure that all details regarding any potential interferences with effectiveness have been shared with your practitioner.
Laser treatment sessions tend to be quick. Your practitioner will use a handheld device and activate the laser, causing slight discomfort similar to snapping an elastic band. Your eyes will be protected with goggles or glasses during this process.
Laser treatments will take various amounts of time depending on the size and scope of the area being treated; small areas, like your upper lip, can often be addressed within just minutes; while treating larger spots like backs or legs could take as much as an hour or more.
Some common side effects from laser hair removal may include itching, redness and swelling – these effects should last no more than several days and should subside quickly. If more severe symptoms arise, make an appointment to visit your physician to make sure the symptoms don’t signal an underlying health concern.
When seeking laser hair removal, make sure that you locate an experienced physician or specialist in this area. Confirm they have met all necessary standards regarding training, skill acquisition and insurance coverage.
Hair Color
Laser hair removal works by applying heat directly to a hair follicle, and this damages it so it no longer produces new hair. Follicles need to be in their anagen (growth) phase in order for laser treatment to take effect, meaning multiple sessions may be necessary until unwanted hair no longer grows back. In comparison to shaving, waxing and depilatory creams, laser treatment delivers more permanent results.
No matter your age, it is never too late to rid yourself of unwanted hair. As we get older, our bodies naturally adapt by producing more or different types of hair in new places than previously envisioned – or that old hygiene practices such as shaving and plucking become less and less comfortable over time. Luckily, there are safe and effective treatments that can help make you more at ease in your own body at any point in time.
As an older adult, it’s essential that you understand how your lifestyle impacts the quality of your skin, and results you can expect from laser hair removal. Speak to a specialist about whether lasers will work effectively with your type of hair and skin.
At your consultation, a dermatologist or medical aesthetician will evaluate both your skin and hair to assess whether laser hair removal would be effective in treating it. At that point, they’ll give instructions about what to do before and after treatment; such as shaving the area that will be treated before going in; this removes surface layer hair where pigment lies; also, avoid exposure to sunlight or tanning beds in advance as natural or artificial tans can impede with laser’s ability to effectively remove hair from skin.
Additionally, you may be advised to stop taking medications that might make your skin sensitive to laser treatment – including some acne treatments, antibiotics and retinoids that interfere with this method of therapy. You’ll also likely need to refrain from waxing or tweezing the area several days prior to your appointment.
Location
Laser hair removal uses pulses of light to damage hair follicle roots, so they will no longer produce new hair growth. This differs from shaving or waxing which only removes the tip of a hair follicle.
Lasers emit an intense beam that targets the pigment (color) of hair to eliminate unwanted growth. As light and heat penetrate your follicle, it absorbs it, eventually vaporizing it – producing small plumes of smoke during treatment sessions that generally last minutes.
Laser treatments target individual follicles, and as it does so, the surrounding skin becomes temporarily red and hot – prompting many people to wear loose clothing or use a towel as protection during treatment sessions. After treatment is completed, redness and warmth typically subside within several hours; some individuals may notice that treated areas become slightly sensitive; however this occurrence is uncommon.
Depending on the tone and color of your skin, your doctor may suggest using bleaching cream before laser hair removal to lighten it and target hair follicles more effectively. In addition, tanning may hinder its effectiveness as artificial or natural tanning may reduce effectiveness.
Laser hair removal should only reduce the amount of hair in an area, not completely eradicate it. Most people require multiple treatment sessions at four to eight week intervals – more challenging in certain locations such as upper lip or chin where growth happens quickly.
Laser hair removal should not pose any long-term health risks for most people, however it’s essential that you select an experienced practitioner and follow all their instructions precisely if performing it incorrectly may lead to scarring, changes in skin color or blisters.
Laser hair removal doesn’t require a prescription, but can still be expensive and may require multiple sessions. Therefore, some providers offer package deals to make the procedure more cost-effective; flexible spending accounts or expense management programs may also be useful in covering these costs.
