Laser hair removal is an efficient, safe, and long-term way to permanently eliminate facial hair growth. Treatment usually entails four to six sessions.
Procedure involves your doctor using a handheld laser instrument against your skin, with or without cooling devices/gel to provide additional protection of your skin.
Prior to your appointment, try not to use products containing benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid or retinol that could increase photosensitivity and make you more prone to burns during treatment.
Before
Laser hair removal is an efficient, safe, and permanent way to address unwanted facial hair. It offers men and women alike a fantastic alternative to shaving, waxing or buying products that simply don’t work.
Before beginning laser treatments, it’s essential that you first prepare the area by refraining from tanning. Tanning can cause skin damage, and could prevent the laser from absorbing pigment which causes hair growth. In addition, products such as self-tanners may lighten skin. Your doctor might recommend taking medication which helps bleach skin over the months leading up to treatment.
Plucking and waxing should also be discontinued to protect the hair follicle, while using broad spectrum SPF 30 sunscreen to protect it. Sunless skin creams should also be avoided to darken your surface skin tone further.
Laser treatments work by sending a beam of light into the hair follicle, where it absorbs pigment (melanin) and destroys it on contact – this makes them especially effective on people with dark hair and light skin, though blond or brown hair might require multiple sessions for full results.
If you’re curious about laser hair removal, schedule an appointment with a dermatologist or plastic surgeon to see if it’s the best choice for you. They will review your medical history, outline benefits and risks associated with the procedure and answer any questions that arise from this conversation.
As with any treatment, during and after your session you may experience discomfort and swelling. Your skin might feel hot or prickly; to reduce this feeling you can apply a cool compress or ice pack directly to the area being treated. In addition, use mild moisturizer to sooth any redness or irritation by dabbing on after each session.
When booking your initial facial laser hair removal appointment, you have two options for booking: online or over the phone. To prepare yourself for treatment, it is advisable to apply an over-the-counter topical numbing cream from your local pharmacy approximately 24 hours before starting treatment.
After
Facial laser hair removal results aren’t instant, as hair follicles need time to react and shed in response to light energy. Depending on the area in which you live, this process may take weeks or even months; so to ensure consistent treatments without interruptions is key for maximum effectiveness.
To minimize post-treatment pain and swelling, it’s advisable to keep the affected area cool for the first couple of days after your procedure. This can be accomplished with cool compresses or using an ice pack wrapped in paper towel as an ice pack; or by using cooling creams and gels like Hyaluronic Acid which soothe the skin. If significant pain exists, consult your physician as they may prescribe topical steroids or anti-inflammatory cream to manage symptoms more effectively.
Before scheduling a laser hair removal appointment, it’s best to avoid tanning, as this increases your risk of complications such as pigmentation issues. Tanning and using sunless sun creams also increases photosensitivity to light energy – making it harder for the laser to target hair follicles without burning nearby tissue.
Shaving is essential before every appointment, though you should do it carefully to prevent razor burn and ingrown hairs. Waxing, plucking and electrolysis should also be avoided as these practices may disrupt the root of your hair roots and affect results negatively.
At both stages of laser hair removal, it’s crucial to moisturize the area being treated. A lotion with high concentrations of vitamin C or peptides may help increase collagen production and slow signs of aging such as fine lines and wrinkles.
Your skin can also be protected using a broad spectrum sunscreen with both UVA and UVB protection, so be sure to update it every few months as sun rays can irritate itching, redness, blistering or itching causing blistering or itching. Furthermore, avoid hot showers, tubs or saunas as their excess heat could burn or irritate the skin resulting in uncomfortable sensations on contact.
Side Effects
Laser hair removal often causes redness and small bumps immediately following treatment, though they typically fade within hours. A cool compress or gel may help soothe skin irritation after each session; avoid exfoliants, harsh cleansers and scrubs that irritate it further as these could signal an allergic reaction which should be addressed with your doctor immediately. If it persists beyond this point it should be discussed further with them immediately.
After laser treatments, it’s also essential to protect the skin from direct sunlight by selecting a sunscreen with at least SPF 30 and zinc oxide; one great choice is Drunk Elephant’s Umbra Sheer Physical Daily Defense SPF 30 ($34).
Permanent side effects from treatments are rare but can include blistering, bruising, scarring or changes to pigmentation of skin. Most side effects tend to be temporary and can usually be avoided by following your doctor’s recommendations for preparation and post-care of treatment.
Before seeking laser treatment, it is advisable to limit sun exposure and cease shaving and plucking at least four weeks before your appointment. Also avoid using any form of tanning creams as they could obstruct the procedure; other hair removal methods like waxing or plucking could disrupt follicles during this time frame.
At the beginning of your laser treatment session, eye goggles will be provided as protection and the technician will test the device against your skin to ensure it’s safe to use before commencing actual sessions. Some individuals experience a mild sting similar to being pinged with a pin while receiving laser therapy treatment.
Once treatment has concluded, you will be free to resume normal activities. Within weeks you may experience reduced hair growth; facial hair is likely to fall out naturally, with any new growth typically being thinner and sparser compared with before. Although some patients remain hair-free for some time afterward, regular maintenance sessions should still be scheduled in order to keep things looking their best.
Results
Laser treatments offer lasting solutions for hair removal. Plus, laser hair removal tends to be less painful than shaving on sensitive areas like the chin or lips.
Before receiving laser treatment, your face will be carefully cleansed, and numbing gel may be applied to the area. Protective goggles will also be given. Sun exposure should be limited prior to treatment as laser treatments don’t work as effectively on tanned skin; any chemical peels or treatments that might irritate skin should also be avoided before going in for laser procedures; it might even be recommended that you shave or wax beforehand so the laser can better target hair follicles for laser targeting purposes.
Technicians then direct a laser at the specific area. Most patients describe it as feeling similar to rubber bands snapping against their skin. Some may experience pain; everyone has different tolerance levels.
Laser treatments do not cause scarring; however, they can sometimes result in redness or irritation that typically dissipates within hours, but some individuals experience lasting redness for several days post session. You can take over-the-counter pain relievers if this becomes bothersome for you.
Your treatment sessions depend on your skin tone and hair color; most people require between six to 12 treatments before seeing satisfactory results, though some experience permanent hair loss after just a few. Your physician will notify you when it’s time for a new appointment.
Select a licensed practitioner. Make sure they’re listed on a register that displays that they meet certain standards in training, skill development and insurance; this will reduce your risk.
If you are tired of manually shaving off facial hair, laser hair removal could be the perfect solution to give you silky skin in no time! Not only is laser hair removal quick and effective; it’s also cost-effective compared to waxing or shaving and means no more time spent applying products again or worrying about stubble/ingrown hairs!
