Laser hair removal is one of the most permanent solutions for eliminating unwanted body hair, replacing shaving, waxing and depilatory products while saving time in the long run.
Scarring isn’t typically associated with laser hair removal procedures, but can occur if an error is made during or following treatment by either the physician or patient. Furthermore, scarring could occur if their skin remains dehydrated after receiving laser therapy and exposed to sunlight aftercare instructions have been followed correctly.
Cost
If you are contemplating laser hair removal, it is essential that you understand its cost. The primary factors affecting cost include number of sessions and body area; other expenses, like numbing gel and protective eyewear may also factor into this total figure. It would be ideal if a clinic offered package deals covering multiple sessions.
Laser Hair Removal uses laser technology to destroy hair follicles and stop them from producing new hair growth, making this treatment popular with both men and women as it eliminates or significantly reduces waxing, plucking or shaving needs. Furthermore, it doesn’t irritate or damage surrounding tissue like waxing can; however it may not be appropriate for all skin types or hair colors.
Before beginning treatment, numbing gel will be applied to the targeted area and goggles worn. Once this process has started, laser light passes through the skin and is absorbed by pigment in hair follicles; heat produced by this means follicles vaporize which means that hair won’t grow back. Multiple treatments typically are needed at four- to six-week intervals to achieve maximum effectiveness.
Laser technology continues to advance and is becoming more safe and effective for people of all skin tones. To determine your candidacy for laser treatment, it’s best to consult a medical professional – for instance if taking medications that increase skin sensitivity is an issue or you have had herpes or similar infections at the site, consider other forms of treatment instead.
One of the primary obstacles to treatment can be its cost; although individual sessions may be costly, long-term benefits make them well worth their expense.
Keep in mind that laser hair removal is considered cosmetic surgery and not medical, therefore not covered by insurance policies. However, if it becomes necessary due to health complications your insurer may agree to cover it.
Pain
As with any medical procedure, the pain associated with laser hair removal varies from person to person and depending on which area is being treated; some describe it as little pinches while others find it excruciating. As any area can be more sensitive than another such as back or face areas for treatment; it’s wise to have this done by an experienced dermatologist familiar with treating various skin types and colors.
Typically, technicians apply numbing cream to the area being treated, in order to lessen any pain you experience during your procedure. However, if this doesn’t work or you have a skin allergy, the discomfort can become quite intense; patients have described the feeling as similar to having elastic bands flicked against their skin. Still, most find that laser hair removal is considerably less painful than shaving or waxing.
Most people will require four to six sessions of laser hair removal in order to see permanent results, though the exact number will depend on your treatment area and hair growth speed. Furthermore, pregnant and hormonally imbalanced women should postpone laser hair removal until such imbalances have been rectified before proceeding.
Select a practitioner with experience in laser hair removal before opting for cheaper options, as these may lead to less effective results. It is often tempting to go for cheaper machines and practitioners without enough training; however, these often result in less than successful results.
Laser hair removal results depend heavily upon the type of laser being used. For optimal results, the beam must penetrate deep enough into the hair follicle without harming surrounding tissue; additionally, it should be capable of distinguishing between hair color and skin tone in order to avoid accidental skin damage.
IPL (Intense Pulsed Light) laser treatments are the go-to choice for hair removal, with most people experiencing success without needing anesthetic and in just minutes.
Side effects
Laser hair removal is one of the safest, quickest and most efficient ways of eliminating unwanted hair. But as with any treatment, there may be side effects associated with laser hair removal that you should be aware of before beginning treatment. One potential complication involves some pain during the procedure itself. Amount may vary depending on where and your individual pain threshold; many compare the sensation to being pinched by rubber bands snapping.
Laser treatments work by targeting and destroying hair follicles with high-powered beams of light, leading to temporary redness and swelling that usually subside within hours of treatment. Some individuals may also experience skin crusting after treatment – however this shouldn’t be considered an immediate cause and can easily be remedied with cool compresses or baths.
Laser hair removal may cause other side effects, including itching, changes to your skin pigmentation (usually lighter or darker shades), and a mild burning sensation; their intensity will depend on both your laser type and skin color. If any adverse reactions develop after using this procedure, seek medical advice immediately and consult your physician.
Laser hair removal differs from waxing and shaving in that it targets the source of hair growth directly, meaning you won’t end up with ingrown hairs, which can be painful and irritating. Laser treatment can quickly eliminate them permanently due to hormonal fluctuations and genetic predisposition towards growing more hair.
Laser hair removal offers another key benefit: it won’t damage the surface of your skin like other methods do; other hair removal treatments can result in peeling and discoloration of skin cells resulting in peeling.
Before receiving laser treatment, it is recommended that you refrain from using any self-tanning products and trim any extra hair in the areas where treatment will take place. In addition, be sure to shave this area to remove any surface hairs that might remain.
Results
Laser hair removal uses a light beam to destroy hair follicles and stop their production of more hair. Treatment is administered by a doctor using a handheld laser device pressed against the skin; a cooling device or gel may be applied after each pulse of laser light has passed to protect from its heat and decrease pain. Each pulse takes only fractions of a second and treats multiple hairs at once – small areas, like upper lips, can often be treated within minutes while larger ones such as backs can take more than an hour.
Results from laser hair removal are long-term and permanent; however, hair will eventually grow back requiring touch-up treatments every once or twice annually to keep up appearances. When selecting your practitioner it is also essential that they are licensed and registered with an official body to ensure quality and skill are upheld while also limiting potential complications.
Your ideal treatment schedule depends on your hair and skin type as well as where you live. Most people experience significant reduction in hair growth after six to eight treatments and can expect up to a 90% decrease after this point.
Laser hair removal typically works best on dark hair with fair skin, although it can work on almost any type of hair. The laser’s pigment-targeting capability relies on contrast between the color of the hair and pigment in your skin – this makes it suitable for all skin types although white or gray hair might prove harder to treat successfully.
Laser treatments offer a faster and more effective means to get rid of unwanted hair than waxing or shaving alone, with no downtime necessary between sessions. They don’t cause permanent skin damage like other methods and they’re particularly helpful if you want to avoid ingrown hairs and bumps that come from alternative approaches to removal of hair such as waxing.
