Is Laser Hair Removal Permanent?

Brian Lett
By Brian Lett
10 Min Read

Laser Hair Removal and regret Questions

Laser Hair Removal can be very successful at eliminating unwanted hair, though it should not be seen as a permanent solution.

Laser treatments should always be carried out by experienced medical providers in a medical office, who understand how to select appropriate settings based on both skin tone and hair color.

Avoid tanning and ensure you use a good sunscreen (preferably one containing zinc oxide). Be sure to follow any aftercare instructions given by your laser technician.

1. “IPL ruined my skin”

IPL (Intense Pulsed Light) is an advanced permanent hair removal treatment. Additionally, it reduces red and brown discolorations caused by chronic sun damage known as “sun spots” or broken capillaries by heating up structures that hold color – this destroys or damages spots making them less noticeable while being extremely safe and more effective than previous laser methods.

Treatment might feel like a series of sharp stings on the skin; others have reported feeling as though an elastic band were being snapped against their skin – this is completely normal and expected. If however, you experience extreme heat without relief within minutes, contact your practitioner immediately in order to adjust settings that could prevent burning or further harm to your skin.

Adherence to your chosen practitioner’s guidelines and treatment schedule is of utmost importance for getting maximum benefit from laser hair removal treatments and long-term success.

Sometimes after IPL treatment, your skin may appear slightly pink or red post-procedure. This indicates that pigment in your skin has been damaged; this should fade within several days but it’s wise to wear sunscreen on any areas treated to prevent further damage and protect your skin for future. For any concerns or worries related to post-treatment results it’s always a good idea to speak directly to the practitioner who carried out IPL; otherwise contact either your GP or Accident and Emergency department immediately for advice or support.

2. “It’s not permanent”

Laser hair removal may seem permanent as once hair follicles have been destroyed by laser light, they cannot grow back. But it is important to remember that laser heat destroys only pigment of hair follicles rather than surrounding skin, meaning new hair follicles may still surface but at a much slower rate – hence why many individuals require touch-up treatments every few months.

Importantly, laser light does not penetrate deep enough into the skin to cause scarring; however, misjudgments or errors by practitioners could damage their skin and lead to scarring. Though permanent in nature, several sessions may be necessary before all hair has been completely eliminated from its roots; when new growth does return it typically has lighter coloration and texture making recurrence less obvious.

Laser treatments are fast and painless; for instance, treating small areas such as an upper lip could take as little as 10 minutes; large areas like legs may take up to an hour. Note: It should be remembered that lasers only target hair follicles with pigment-containing hair follicles that contain black or brown hues – these treatments won’t work as effectively on people with white or gray locks.

Prior to an appointment, it is also crucial that patients avoid plucking and waxing in the area in question as this will reduce its effectiveness and expose themselves to sun rays that could interfere with results of laser hair removal treatment. Overall, laser hair removal can be an excellent way of eliminating unwanted body hair while creating smoother, more beautiful skin!

3. “It doesn’t leave my skin smooth”

Laser hair removal requires patience and perseverance in order to be effective. Unfortunately, it’s not an instantaneous solution and multiple sessions may be required before permanent results appear – something which might disappoint those seeking an easy alternative to shaving or waxing in problem areas.

Laser hair removal may not work effectively on light colored hair due to differences between skin tone and hair color preventing laser beams from targeting them effectively.

If you have concerns about how laser hair removal will impact the color of your skin, a trained medical aesthetician can provide expert guidance in developing an appropriate plan and helping you understand how the procedure works.

Keep in mind that even after completing your entire series of treatments, hormonal fluctuations in your body could cause new hair growth to sprout back in certain spots. Touchup treatments could be necessary from time to time in order to maintain results.

Laser Hair Removal may feel uncomfortable at times, but we strive to minimise it with cooling equipment and large spot size lasers. You will most likely feel something similar to when a rubber band snaps against your skin during your session – however this feeling typically only lasts a few seconds before stopping once the laser stops working.

For any inquiries on how to prepare for or learn more about laser hair removal treatments or packages, don’t hesitate to get in touch! If you have questions regarding preparation for treatment or packages feel free to get in touch today.

4. “It’s expensive”

Laser hair removal may seem costly, but it actually represents a better long-term investment than regular grooming methods like shaving and waxing. All three methods take time and money, while laser hair removal can be completed more quickly and comfortably.

Cost of laser treatments varies greatly based on body area, specialist and geographic location; make sure to do your research before making a decision. Most specialists offer financing and payment plans to make treatment more accessible; just be wary of interest rates to avoid getting into debt and only spend what you can afford.

As with any cosmetic procedure, it’s vitally important to select a practitioner with adequate training and accreditation from a medical board. Some spas and salons employ non-medical staff members for laser treatments; it is therefore advisable to inquire whether or not their practitioner holds relevant credentials before beginning their treatment. Also watch out for providers offering discounted prices as these could be attempts at undercutting the competition.

At your consultation, make sure to ask a specialist how long the process will last. It all depends on the size and thickness of your hair – generally speaking, small areas like your upper lip or bikini line can typically be treated within 10 minutes, while larger ones like legs could take up to an hour for treatment.

Laser hair removal doesn’t work effectively for all skin and hair types; darker hues tend to absorb light more efficiently and may make treatment less successful for them.

5. “It’s not safe”

Laser hair removal is an efficient and safe solution to getting rid of unwanted hair. The laser heat destroys hair follicles to stop further hair growth – much safer than waxing or shaving and can provide lasting results that last much longer. Furthermore, it’s much quicker than other methods!

Some individuals experience discomfort during a laser hair removal session, though this should be manageable and short-lived. You might feel an intense series of small stings – like pinpricks. After laser hair removal, your skin might temporarily feel red or swollen, though this should resolve within days or so with use of cold compresses to alleviate pain and swelling. In order to protect the treated area from discoloration caused by exposure to natural or artificial sunlight post procedure.

Before having laser hair removal performed on you, it is vital that the person doing so is qualified and has received appropriate training. Check a register or questionnaire that lists their qualifications against a standard set by industry bodies to ensure this. Also make sure they sterilize their equipment prior to beginning the procedure to reduce risk of infections and complications.

Pregnant women should avoid laser hair removal as the hormones produced during gestation may cause excessive hair to grow where it should not.

Before seeking laser hair removal treatment, it is vitally important that any medical conditions be disclosed to your practitioner. Genital herpes and keloid scarring can increase the risk of complications during treatment and should be disclosed accordingly.

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