Laser hair removal is an increasingly popular cosmetic treatment option that works by targeting and destroying hair follicles to permanently reduce hair growth. It is considered safe and effective for most individuals.
At the beginning of a laser treatment session, a physician will press a handheld instrument against your skin with cooling technology or cooling gel attached to its tip in order to reduce irritation.
Increased Sensitivity
Hair removal can be painful for individuals with a low pain tolerance. Treatment typically requires six sessions spaced out every six weeks to achieve desired results; one’s menstrual cycle shouldn’t affect this decision but may increase pain perception during laser sessions.
After laser treatment, your skin can become red, swollen and itchy. Your doctor may prescribe a steroid cream to alleviate these symptoms and speed healing; but be mindful in using them according to instructions – any way other than indicated could potentially harm the skin and any woman trying to conceive should consult their healthcare provider first as these creams could interfere with conception.
At the start of a laser treatment session, a doctor will press a handheld device onto the surface of the skin. It may be coated with cooling gel for added skin protection and reduced burn risk. Once activated, the laser sends heat through your skin directly into hair follicles where it damages them to inhibit future hair growth – creating what feels similar to warm pinpricking sensation that is typically less painful than waxing treatments.
Skin tone can have an enormous effect on how painful and effective treatment is for a given individual. People with darker skin tones might be more prone to experiencing laser-induced hyperpigmentation (PIH). PIH causes dark spots on the skin that worsen during menstruation periods.
On their periods, women who undergo laser hair removal might notice changes to their skin color that are temporary after laser hair removal treatments, although these changes might become noticeable for those with lighter complexions who experience darker or light patches during treatment due to damaged follicles; this may occur if their skin wasn’t protected properly or they used an inexperienced practitioner for the procedure. Most often these effects will go back to normal but any drastic differences should be addressed immediately by speaking to a healthcare provider.
Less Effectiveness
Hormonal levels rise during menstruation, influencing hair growth and often making follicles resistant to laser treatments; this may impact whether women receive treatment before, during or after their period. Nonetheless, any differences between treating during or outside their period should be minimal in effectiveness.
People’s skin complexion and hair color both play an influential role in how well laser hair removal works for them. Darker-skinned individuals may find dark hair easier to target as it stands out against the surrounding skin. Light-skinned people still achieve effective results but may need longer for it as laser energy must penetrate further into their skin in order to reach pigment and destroy its source – the hair follicle.
Prior to seeking laser hair removal, it is vital that a patient discuss her menstrual cycle and any symptoms with her practitioner. This allows the practitioner to tailor her laser settings accordingly in order to account for increased sensitivity or hormonal fluctuations that might arise during this period.
if the sensitivities or hormonal changes are severe enough to interfere with laser treatments, postponing them until after your period has concluded will give hair follicles time to recover and tampons or menstrual cups may help manage it during that time.
Pregnant women cannot undergo laser hair removal because it could harm their baby. Although some may experience excess hair growth during gestation, this usually falls out without needing medical intervention.
Women trying to become pregnant should delay laser hair removal until after she is finished her gestation period, or until after birth has taken place. In addition to increasing risks of side effects, laser treatment during the first trimester could cause permanent changes in pigmentation of their skin as well as miscarriage – so it would be advisable for women seeking alternatives methods of hair removal during gestation such as consulting their physician or specialist about other solutions available for them.
Painful Session
Laser hair removal treatments can be painfully uncomfortable at best; but when on your period, they can feel particularly intense due to an increase in hormone release that reduces pain tolerance while weakening hair follicles that make laser targeting and destruction harder. Therefore, it is recommended that you shave for 24 hours prior to any session of laser treatment as this will make targeting hair follicles easier for laser. It’s also wise to forgo any darkening creams as these may interfere with this procedure.
Before your appointment, it is highly advised that you take some acetaminophen such as Tylenol to alleviate any pain or discomfort that might arise during the session. Inquire with your practitioner if numbing cream will be provided on-site and utilize it during your visit if applicable. It’s also wise to bring along a tampon or menstrual cup during this session in case any leakages occur during treatment.
Some possible side effects of laser hair removal sessions include redness and irritation, folliculitis perifollicular rednessi and edema (swelling), but these usually go away within an hour or two after your appointment. Applying an ice pack on affected areas may hasten recovery, while reporting any skin crusting immediately to your practitioner so they can provide an appropriate lotion or ointment treatment solution.
Be mindful that laser hair removal requires multiple sessions in order to completely rid yourself of unwanted hairs. Furthermore, pregnant women should refrain from laser hair removal due to possible permanent damage it could do to their uterus; before opting for this solution it would be wise to consult their physician about other safer solutions that might better suit their pregnancy needs.
Changing Your Schedule
Laser hair removal is an effective solution to permanently reduce unwanted hair. Treatment sessions may be needed depending on skin pigmentation and contrast between skin tone and hair color. Furthermore, if you have preexisting health conditions that might impact how laser hair removal affects you or your body’s response to treatment it’s important to inform your physician in advance of an appointment.
Timing laser hair removal treatments is often affected by your menstrual cycle. Most experts suggest women avoid laser treatments during their period due to hormonal shifts that increase sensitivity in the treatment area, but this decision must be made together with their laser technician, who will offer advice specific to each unique situation.
Though many may be intimidated by laser hair removal, it can be an excellent way to achieve smooth and beautiful skin without using manual methods like shaving. It is advised to refrain from shaving in treatment areas several weeks before beginning laser treatments, while patients should also avoid waxing, plucking and depilatory creams as these methods interfere with laser’s ability to target and destroy hair follicles.
Patients with sensitive skin or low pain tolerance may find rescheduling their laser treatment during their menstrual cycle to be more comfortable; however, due to each person’s individual threshold for pain it’s impossible to know whether changing your appointment time will make a difference in the outcome of your treatment.
If you decide to make the plunge and book your first laser hair removal appointment, aim to complete all treatments well before summer begins – this way, you can enjoy your new smooth and hair-free summer look in time for your beach vacation! To help reduce any potential discomfort during treatment sessions or unexpected side effects, use a skin-numbing cream prior to appointments; this may cost extra but could prove invaluable if undergoing laser hair removal on sensitive areas like your genital area or other delicate parts of your body.
