Undergoing laser hair removal can be both exciting and intimidating; to ensure optimal results you must abide by pre-treatment orders such as refraining from plucking and waxing prior to starting treatment.
Be wary of any clinic that does not offer consultation. They could be making false promises. A real technician will explain how laser works, the necessary preparation steps and their purpose.
During the Consultation
Laser hair removal offers an efficient, quick, and long-term solution to eliminating unwanted body hair. It outshone waxing and shaving in terms of efficacy while remaining more affordable over time. However, in order to reap its full benefits it’s vital that you meet with a certified technician and discuss all available options before you embark on this journey.
Your best choice should always be a licensed and certified technician in your state, who has all necessary credentials. At your consultation appointment, the technician will assess what skin type you have while also gathering details regarding any medications or health conditions you might be taking as well as areas you wish to be treated and estimated sessions that they believe you’ll require.
Dependent upon the area you want treated, you should avoid direct sun exposure for at least some period before each treatment session. Shave the area a day or two beforehand in order to prompt hair to enter its active growing phase and be targeted by laser.
Whenever you feel anxious or uncertain of how you’ll cope, your therapist is available and eager to address these concerns. In addition, they’ll give you specific care instructions prior and post treatment – such as how much time must be spent shaving your area in preparation, and the importance of scheduling regular maintenance appointments.
Before your appointment, it is also advisable to remove all lotions, ointments and deodorant that might interfere with laser hair removal’s effectiveness. Showering right before and washing the treatment area with soap will help ensure clean skin for laser hair removal appointments – helping ensure consistent results in each session – helping you reach your goal of silky and smooth skin sooner. By following these pre-treatment instructions you can help achieve consistent results in each laser hair removal session and ultimately reach your goals of smooth skin quickly!
During the Treatment
At your laser hair removal appointment, the technician will start by assessing your skin type, reviewing any medications taken and gathering an overview of your medical history to ensure a safe experience during the treatment.
Your technician will explain the benefits of laser hair removal and address any queries or concerns you may have about its implementation. They will go over each stage of the procedure and estimate how long each session should last; and offer any relevant tips specific to your situation.
Note that multiple treatment sessions will likely be necessary in order to achieve your desired results. Your hair grows in cycles and the laser only targets active hair follicles at certain intervals – this requires frequent visits at specific times so as to target and eliminate every unwanted hair follicle in their entirety.
As part of your treatment, you may experience some minor discomfort; most often described as feeling like small stings or the snapping sensation of rubber bands on their skin. This sensation occurs because laser energy heats your hair follicles to shrink them down.
Treatment typically lasts anywhere from several minutes to an hour, depending on the size of the area being treated. You should expect that afterward your skin may appear reddened and swollen as this is a normal reaction to laser heat; use cold compresses on any affected areas to reduce any swelling or discomfort.
If you’re uncertain of your decision to start laser hair removal treatment, take an extra day or so before making your decision. It is better to be extra thorough in planning than rush in without properly considering all aspects of the procedure and end up regretting it later.
Reading up on the technology that will be employed during your treatment will give you an understanding of what to expect, while selecting a clinic using high grade laser devices will ensure optimal results and less side effects.
After the Treatment
If you have sensitive skin, apply an OTC topical numbing cream 24 hours before your laser appointment to reduce discomfort from laser treatment. Numbing is an effective way to minimize discomfort associated with laser treatments.
As part of your treatment, protective eye goggles will be worn to shield your eyes from the laser beam. Depending on the size of the area being treated, treatment time could last from several minutes up to an hour – most patients report no post-laser hair removal session downtime or side effects.
Before the procedure starts, we provide a skin cleaning treatment and may apply a numbing gel as needed. A technician then guides a hand-held laser over the surface of the skin that needs removal, emitting pulses of light that heat up pigment in hair follicles until they collapse – once complete, your treatment area will return to normal and you can resume daily activities as usual.
To achieve optimal results, the number of treatments needed depends on a person’s hormone levels and hair growth cycle. On average, four or more sessions spaced approximately four weeks apart are usually necessary.
Once your treatment has taken effect, your skin may initially appear red and swollen but this should subside over time. While you might experience a reduction in hair growth between sessions due to dormant follicles not destroyed during your procedure sprouting back to life – often appearing as stubble or blackheads.
If you are considering laser hair removal, be sure to hire an experienced and specialized provider. Aim for hiring a board-certified dermatologist, cosmetic surgeon, or physician’s assistant who has undergone intensive laser training and can successfully complete the procedure.
At your initial consultation, the expert you choose will evaluate your skin and hair type and color as well as any medications or supplements that might interfere with the procedure. Furthermore, it’s a good idea to refrain from using sunless tanning products, waxing and electrolysis on areas being treated as well as discontinue any blood-thinning medications prior to receiving any treatments.
Post-Procedure Care
At your consultation, the practitioner will inform you how many sessions are usually required and provide recommendations for a treatment package. It also serves as an opportunity for you to assess whether the clinic and staff are professional and friendly; should any issues arise they will explain various options such as single sessions, packages and payment plans available to them.
Your consultant will also offer advice regarding pre and post treatment care to ensure you achieve optimal results and don’t become disappointed by them. It is wise to avoid plucking or waxing any area for six weeks prior to receiving treatment as this allows the hair follicles time to mature before receiving treatments. Furthermore, wearing loose clothing and not applying any moisturizer or sunscreen on treated areas are additional recommendations from your consultant.
If you have questions about laser hair removal, this is an ideal opportunity to ask any. Bring along all relevant medical history information as this can help the practitioner assess if you are suitable for treatment; factors like hormonal imbalance can have an impact on hair growth.
Ask your consultant which laser device will be used during treatment. A high-grade platform that has undergone clinical testing for safety and effectiveness will ensure a more comfortable treatment and ensure minimal side effects of laser beam exposure.
At each treatment session, a technician will press a hand-held laser instrument against your skin and activate it. Depending on the machine used, there may also be cooling devices or gel on its tip to minimize discomfort caused by laser treatment. Finally, laser pulses will then pulse onto the area treated in order to damage hair follicles and inhibit hair growth.
Most people find the process quick, effective and painless; however, those who are particularly sensitive may experience some minor discomfort; however, you can easily control this with prescribed medication pre and post treatment.
