Laser hair removal involves shining concentrated light beams into hair follicles to deactivate them and thus destroy them, thus rendering this procedure far less painful than waxing or shaving.
Prior to receiving laser treatments, it is advisable to avoid plucking and waxing as this will significantly lessen their effectiveness. Furthermore, sun exposure should also be limited before and after laser sessions.
Types
Laser hair removal is an efficient and safe solution to unwanted facial or body hair. Using highly concentrated light rays directed into hair glands, pigment in them absorbs it to eliminate hair. Dermatologists provide this service at their medical offices or often combine it with other cosmetic treatments for optimal results.
Procedure involves using a hand-held device that emits high-intensity pulses of light onto your skin, and features a cooling device or gel at its tip to soothe any discomfort caused by exposure. Goggles must be worn during treatment to shield eyes from light beam. Your doctor may apply topical anesthetic to minimize any discomfort. You’ll likely require multiple sessions; treatment intervals vary depending on where you’re being treated; for instance, upper lips might require sessions every four to eight weeks while backs require sessions 12-16 weeks apart.
Laser hair reduction offers one of the most reliable long-term solutions for hair reduction. While they can be used on all skin types, lasers tend to work best for those with light-colored hair and skin tones. While it won’t guarantee permanent removal of new growth, laser treatment will often significantly lessen it in terms of both texture and color. It should also be remembered that this procedure doesn’t promise complete removal; rather it significantly decreases it. Its results typically show lighter hair growth after treatment has concluded than before the procedure began.
Before undertaking laser hair removal, it’s wise to avoid tanning and utilize an effective sunscreen. Furthermore, shaving or using depilatory products that could interfere with the process should also be avoided as they could affect its success. It is advisable to consult your physician prior to taking medications or supplements that could trigger an adverse reaction during treatment.
Before beginning laser therapy, your doctor will evaluate both your skin and hair types to select an effective laser and parameters, while providing education on its risks and benefits so that an informed decision can be made. He or she may also review your clinical history to assess whether hirsutism qualifies as a condition treatable with laser therapy.
Safety
Laser hair removal utilizes high-heat lasers to damage hair follicles, stopping them from producing further unwanted hair growth. When performed by an experienced practitioner, this procedure should be safe; however, improper execution could result in burns or scarring that would need medical treatment to correct. It’s wise to choose a dermatologist experienced in laser treatment and skin care as this can greatly decrease risks. People should avoid tanning beds and sun exposure prior to and following treatment to minimize risks.
At first, a person may experience some temporary discomfort during treatment; their skin may sting or feel tender and appear red and swollen; these effects typically subside within hours and can be soothed with cool compresses or baths. A dermatologist may also apply topical anesthetics to reduce discomfort.
People with sensitive skin or medical conditions that exacerbate irritation should avoid laser treatments, including diabetes, psoriasis and herpes infection history. A person should report any discomforting side effects to their doctor immediately.
Home laser removal kits offer an effective option for individuals looking to eliminate unwanted hair without consulting with a dermatologist. Though these devices can deliver decent results, none compare with medical lasers used by qualified practitioners.
Laser treatments may cause permanent changes to skin tone. People with darker skin tones are especially prone to this issue, though most skin changes resolve over time. People should refrain from using over-the-counter creams on the affected area and follow any post-treatment instructions from their dermatologist.
Laser hair removal will cause some hair growth to continue after treatment, though usually significantly less than with plucking or waxing. People may require multiple sessions before seeing results they want; additionally, they should wait several treatments before waxing or plucking unwanted hair to protect skin health and avoid permanent pigmentation changes caused by waxing/plucking the unwanted hair too early. Furthermore, pregnancy hormone changes could cause additional hairs to grow unexpectedly during a laser hair removal procedure.
Preparation
Laser hair removal is a safe and effective solution for eliminating unwanted body hair on the face, arms, underarms, legs and bikini line. In just a few treatment sessions you can achieve smooth skin free from hair that lasts! However, to maximize effectiveness of these sessions and to minimize risk of side effects. Prep steps must be completed beforehand in order to achieve the best results and get optimal results from treatment sessions.
Step one in preparing for laser hair removal involves avoiding skincare products that irritate your skin, such as sunless tanning creams, alpha-hydroxy acids (AHAs), beta-hydroxy acids (BHAs) and Vitamin C products that could make you more vulnerable to irritation following laser hair removal treatment and increase histamine reactions. Also avoid plucking, waxing and tweezing in the treatment area several weeks prior to your appointment as this disrupts hair follicles that interfere with laser treatment treatment results.
Additionally, drinking plenty of water to stay hydrated will help to minimize dryness and irritation, while applying fragrance-free moisturizer in the days prior to laser hair removal will minimize discomfort while speeding healing time.
Before beginning laser treatment, your practitioner will conduct a patch test to see whether your skin can handle laser treatment. This involves applying laser energy on a small patch of skin and monitoring for any adverse reactions; if no complications arise during this stage, they can then move forward with full treatment.
Laser hair removal may cause some temporary discomfort; you can ease this with an ice pack applied directly to the treatment area. Furthermore, it is wise to limit sun exposure by wearing broad spectrum SPF 30 sunscreen daily after your session.
Avoid tanning beds and artificial tanners for six weeks prior to laser hair removal to protect your skin from sun damage and avoid uneven coloring after laser hair removal. Furthermore, it’s essential that exercise and other heat-intensive activities in the treatment area be avoided for 24 hours post session in order to reduce red spots in treated areas and facilitate faster healing.
Results
Laser hair removal is an efficient and fast method to permanently get rid of unwanted body hair. It eliminates the need for shaving, waxing and depilatory creams – and provides permanent results across many areas of the body. Lasers target pigment cells in each hair follicle to kill it off and stop future hair growth – this makes this treatment safer than most traditional methods; although results will depend on your skin type and hormones.
Start to improve your results by following some basic pre-laser session tips. Shave the area before your appointment; this allows the laser to better target and destroy root hairs. Also avoid cosmetics on treatment area as these may interfere with how effectively laser works.
At each session of laser hair removal, a practitioner uses a handheld device to deliver pulses of light that target and destroy individual follicles without harming surrounding tissues. After one treatment session, you may notice thinner and lighter hair in your treated areas – however multiple sessions should be scheduled according to their natural growth cycle in order for you to see optimal results.
Once your series of laser hair removal treatments has concluded, regular maintenance sessions may be required to maintain results and keep them from fading away. Maintenance sessions tend to be shorter than initial treatment sessions and can be scheduled whenever it suits you best – regardless of frequency.
Booking an initial consultation with a qualified provider who can recommend the appropriate treatment is key to getting optimal results from laser hair removal. They will help determine if laser is indeed right for you and provide invaluable information about all possible treatment options and their outcomes.
