Laser hair removal can reduce or eradicate unwanted hair growth. Multiple sessions at four- to six-week intervals may be needed in order to be fully effective.
As it’s essential that a laser hair removal technician possessing the requisite training and experience safely perform this service, look for someone registered as meeting set standards of qualifications, skill, and insurance coverage.
Skin Tone
If you have darker skin, laser hair removal salons may need to use higher fluence (power) settings due to more pigment present on your skin that the light energy from laser or IPL machines heats up with your hair follicle pigment. Too much heat can damage skin by blistering, burning, and discoloration; for this reason it is crucial that a clinic employ certified technicians with appropriate laser cosmetic technology so as to treat your skin safely.
Your skin tone also plays a part in how effective and how many side effects a laser hair removal treatment will be, and is something to keep in mind before beginning treatment. To optimize results and minimize side effects after sessions, avoid sunless tanning, using sun cream with high SPF protection and any other forms of hair removal before your sessions – this includes shaving which removes surface hair that could potentially be damaged from laser heat damage as well as waxing or plucking which could disturb hair follicles. Shaving is recommended prior to receiving laser sessions; waxing or plucking can disrupt hair follicles and affect their effectiveness over time – an option which removes surface hair that could damage caused by heat exposure from laser.
An experienced technician will know exactly how to set up the laser machine for your unique skin color, hair density and other considerations. Before engaging a laser technologist or safety officer for treatment, always verify their credentials first.
Laser hair removal treatments may cause temporary side effects that eventually go away on their own, with redness of treated areas typically dissipating within 24-48 hours; otherwise if they persist further a dermatologist can prescribe a steroid cream to ease pain and redness.
Blisters after laser hair removal are rare, but if they occur it’s important to know they shouldn’t be tried to be popped. Blisters occur because heat from the laser irritates skin cells and bacteria to become trapped within pores resulting in acne forming; to help combat this a doctor may prescribe an antibiotic ointment and it is essential that post-treatment advice be adhered to so your skin stays clear to avoid further infections.
Hair Color
Laser hair removal works best on dark pigmented hair because laser energy targets dark pigment and destroys it, thus stopping future hair growth. Lighter-colored locks don’t contain enough melanin to be effectively treated by lasers; nonetheless, treatment still works but with reduced success rate than when treating darker locks.
Therefore, it’s vitally important that your aesthetician uses the appropriate laser settings for your skin tone and hair color. A great way to do this is through taking an online screening test to discover your Fitzpatrick score – this will give an indication if laser hair removal would be suitable for you.
Though darker skin tones have historically received poor laser treatments, this was likely caused by lack of appropriate training and quality equipment in its early days. Over time, more laser technicians acquired sufficient training to provide safe and effective treatments to all kinds of skin types; yet Latinx, African-American, and Asian descent individuals may still be put off from opting for laser hair removal due to fears of damage.
For maximum effectiveness, technicians must ensure skin remains cool throughout a procedure to prevent damage. Many lasers come equipped with cooling devices built into their handpieces. Estheticians will often use ice packs on clients to keep it cold. Should redness or irritation arise after your session, make sure to hydrate with cooling creams or ointments immediately – hydrocortisone cream or Benadryl are both over-the-counter options that may help relieve itching as well.
Laser hair removal lasers may cause blisters on the skin; however, this is very uncommon and typically only seen with lower-grade lasers or inexperienced estheticians. If any blisters or crusting develop post-treatment it’s wise to consult a physician immediately and limit sun exposure post treatment as your skin will be more vulnerable to sunburns.
Hair Density
Lasers produce monochromatic light which penetrates the skin. Attracted to pigment, in this case melanin in hair follicles, they absorb energy that causes thermal damage that ultimately destroys them and inhibits further hair growth. The end result of laser treatment is permanent destruction of existing follicles as well as their subsequent inhibition for future growth.
Hair thickness and density have an impactful influence on laser treatments. Thick locks may be more challenging to treat due to less dense melanin in their follicles; however, modern technology and techniques enable even finer and lighter-colored locks to be treated successfully.
Before embarking on laser hair removal, ensure the areas to be treated are shaved so there will be minimal contrast between skin tone and the coloration of hair follicles, making it easier for laser light to target melanin molecules and destroy them. Plucking or waxing must also be avoided as these treatments could interfere with its results.
Before and during laser hair removal sessions, it is vital that all tanning activities be avoided. In order for the laser to effectively differentiate between pigmentation and skin tone, there must be an obvious contrast. Tanning can make this difference vanish and decrease its efficacy – thus rendering these treatments ineffective.
Hormonal imbalances also play an integral role in laser hair removal success. Women experiencing excessive hair growth should undergo medical evaluation to ascertain whether there may be a hormonal imbalance. Some indicators that this might be happening include sudden hair growth spurts, difficulty losing weight or family history of hirsutism.
Hormonal imbalances that lead to excess hair growth may counteract the results of laser hair removal treatments despite your best efforts, so it is always advisable for sessions to be performed by an experienced practitioner who possesses both knowledge and training to provide accurate laser treatments. It would also be wise to conduct some background research into the clinic or doctor you plan on having do the treatment, including looking at photos from previous clients to gauge their level of competence.
Skin Texture
laser light attracts pigment, so if your skin tone or texture doesn’t suit the particular laser being used (or the practitioner lacks sufficient skills), permanent discoloration may occur – this condition known as hyperpigmentation is sometimes referred to as burn marks and it is difficult to reverse. Therefore, it is crucial that when selecting a technician who specializes in laser hair removal to opt for one who possesses extensive knowledge about different laser types and their temperature ranges that interact well with skin.
Untrained technicians may use outdated laser equipment or inappropriate treatment settings, which may produce subpar results and cause side effects like burns. When selecting a clinic or medical spa with doctors as technicians working alongside one another, this increases their understanding of various laser types as they apply them on specific skin tones and textures.
Laser hair removal treatments should keep the skin as cool as possible for maximum effectiveness. One effective technique involves applying a cooling agent between each laser pulse (or pass). This ensures the laser only targets hair follicles without damaging surrounding tissue; furthermore, many modern lasers come equipped with hand pieces equipped with cooling attachments that offer additional protection during treatments.
Before and during laser hair removal treatments, it is recommended to refrain from any form of tanning (even self-tanners), and to wear high SPF sunscreen daily to help ensure effective results. Tanning can darken skin tone beyond what’s suitable for treatment as well as increase risk for post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (burn marks) after your treatments are complete.
Laser hair removal requires multiple treatment sessions to be effective. Each time you visit your physician or laser technician, they can assess your skin tone, hair color and texture and determine which parameters would work best for you. After several sessions have passed, all hair follicles should have been destroyed without any chance for regrowth.
