Light is drawn to dark pigments (eumelanin). Laser energy then disables hair follicles and hair falls out.
On your appointment day, it is crucial that your skin be free of makeup, lotions, oils, deodorant and sunless tanning products as well as cold sores or any other cold-sensitive conditions.
Is it normal?
Laser hair removal is an increasingly popular solution to unwanted body hair. The process involves using pulses of laser light to target individual follicles and destroy them, thus stopping new hair growth from sprouting again. While the procedure itself is fast and usually pain-free, it may cause side effects like redness, swelling and bumps; though these side effects should subside within days for most individuals; it is important not to scratch your affected areas as excessive scratching could cause infections to form.
Moisturizing after laser hair removal sessions is also vitally important to soothing skin discomfort and expediting healing time. A non-comedogenic product free of fragrance or dye should be chosen, while hot showers, steam baths and hot tubs should be avoided for at least 24 hours after each laser hair removal session to minimize excessive heat that could potentially irritate or burn the skin and result in burns and blisters.
Following laser hair removal treatment, it is also important to protect the skin from sun exposure by limiting sun exposure as this will help avoid sun damage and further hair growth. Apply sunscreen as necessary on affected areas.
Laser hair removal may cause your skin to become red and swollen; this is a normal reaction and should subside within hours for most people. If irritation persists, cold compresses or ice packs wrapped in damp cloths may help. NSAID medications like Tylenol may also reduce pain and inflammation.
Laser hair removal offers an effective alternative to shaving and waxing in that it permanently destroys hair follicles. While individual needs vary, most will need at least five laser sessions spaced four weeks apart. Also important to remember that lasers cannot completely eradicate unwanted hair so touch up treatments may be necessary in many cases.
Is it dangerous?
If you do not apply gel before laser hair removal sessions, the light from the laser may not reach the skin effectively and lead to unwanted side effects, including redness and irritation. To ensure an effective experience and minimize risks of complications during treatments, the best approach is applying Emla cream before every appointment and following its instructions as to how much product should be applied on your skin.
Before your laser hair removal treatment, it is wise to refrain from shaving, waxing and plucking as this may displace hair follicles that will be damaged during laser treatment. Furthermore, wearing makeup, lotions deodorants sunless tanning cream or numbing cream in the treatment area could impede results of laser treatment and be damaging.
Laser hair removal is considered safe for most individuals; however, it’s essential that you choose an experienced and qualified laser technician. To maximize safety, only work with practitioners who are registered on a laser hair removal register with strict training, skill, and insurance standards; you should never work with practitioners using kitchen shears on bangs or any other cheap tool to cut your hair.
Not to be taken lightly, laser hair removal requires multiple sessions over time in order to achieve permanent results. On average, sessions should occur every four weeks; this may vary for each individual depending on his/her individual circumstances. If your results don’t meet expectations it is advisable to visit a dermatologist and discuss potential alternatives that might exist for you.
After laser hair removal, the treated area may appear red and irritated for several hours following treatment. This is a normal reaction which should diminish as your skin recovers; scratching the skin could result in bleeding and scarring; to help ease any discomfort post procedure it would be wise to use a soothing moisturizer afterward.
Remember that after receiving laser hair removal treatment, hair will return. But chances are it will grow back thinner and slower, necessitating an exfoliation regimen to remove any unnecessary hairs and maintain optimal health in the area.
Is it painful?
Technicians use a handheld device to press over the treatment area, releasing laser light that heats up and destroys pigment in hair follicles to stop hair regrowing in most parts of the body and permanently eliminate unwanted hair. It may even help prevent skin conditions like folliculitis and discoloration associated with excess hair growth.
Before beginning laser treatments, skin should be completely clean of makeup, lotions, oils and deodorant products that could interfere with results. Furthermore, the area must be completely dry without signs of sunburn; and an experienced technician must have access to all relevant medical histories, including any that might worsen existing conditions like psoriasis that might worsen from treatment.
As part of your laser hair removal session, you may experience a mild sting similar to having elastic bands snapped against your skin. Depending on the size and nature of the area being treated, this sensation may range from tolerable to painful; using numbing cream beforehand may reduce pain. Allow 20-30 minutes for it to take effect for maximum effectiveness.
Once the laser is applied, you may experience some swelling or redness on the treatment area; this is a normal response and should subside within hours. Disabled hair follicles will eventually shed, appearing like continued growth but actually being shed rather than developing new ones.
Laser treatments will result in thinner and lighter regrowth that typically takes place 6-9 treatments to reach its desired effect; some areas of the body may require additional sessions than others.
Is it safe?
Laser hair removal is a safe, noninvasive treatment that uses laser light to disable hair follicles, effectively stopping future hair growth. It should be performed regularly for permanent reduction and eliminate the need for waxing appointments. Results typically last 6-8 months depending on genetics, hormone levels and hair growth cycles – typically, six treatments at six week intervals are necessary to achieve maximum effectiveness; touch up treatments may also be required annually or semi annually.
Follow all instructions of your Laser Technician and prepare your skin properly in order to achieve optimal results. Shave before treatment; avoid plucking or tweezing in treatment areas; use sunscreen with at least 30 SPF protection on any treatment areas and reapply regularly; exfoliate between sessions in order to speed up hair shedding while improving its appearance – this may speed up results as well as speed up hair shedding more rapidly and provide faster hair shedding rates overall.
Slight redness and swelling is common following any treatment, but should subside within 24-48 hours on its own. Applying aloe vera or hydrocortisone cream directly afterward may also help soothe and calm the area for several days afterward. Also avoid hot showers, baths and saunas in these days to protect the skin from drying out and burning which could result in blisters forming on it later.
Laser Hair Removal works best on people with dark hair and light skin, as the contrast allows the laser light to easily penetrate their skin and destroy hair follicles. However, it can still be beneficial and safe for all skin types – with exceptions made for pregnant or breastfeeding mothers or those taking medications such as tetracyclines or antibiotics which cause photosensitivity in individuals.
