Laser hair removal can provide near-permanent results without the hassle of shaving or waxing, saving both time and money in maintenance costs. Plus, its benefits go well beyond cosmetic – cutting back maintenance needs has numerous practical applications too!
Laser energy attracts the pigment in your hair follicles, damaging and inhibiting them to produce new hair growth. Unfortunately, certain factors can impede this treatment’s success.
Cost
Unwanted hair is an ongoing challenge that affects women and men alike. While shaving, plucking or waxing may provide temporary solutions to unwanted hair growth, these methods don’t offer long-term solutions and they can become costly over time.
Laser treatments offer an economical method for permanently eliminating hair at its source and helping to stop its regrowth, with results lasting months or years depending on which body part is treated. Although number of sessions required can differ, laser hair removal should definitely be considered if you want to save money on shaving and razor costs, in addition to any associated with other forms of hair removal methods.
Some patients may find that their health insurance will cover part or all of the procedure costs, though it’s rare. You should talk with a dermatologist for more advice, since many insurance providers only cover cosmetic procedures when medically necessary; alternatively you could tap into flexible spending or health savings accounts to cover them but beware any tax penalties attached thereto.
Laser hair removal treatments may be costly, but they represent a great investment for those seeking long-term savings by forgoing shaving and other methods of temporary hair reduction. Many individuals are fed up with shaving their legs, arms and beards regularly and want a permanent solution to reduce unwanted hair growth; some opt for laser therapy rather than shaving altogether as this often leads to painful ingrown hairs requiring removal instead.
Time
Laser hair removal offers more permanent solutions than shaving and waxing, though it requires multiple sessions before reaching desired results. Some hair may grow back after treatment has concluded; therefore, it is crucial that any potential candidates understand this risk before undertaking such procedures.
Laser hair removal can be life-altering for many individuals. It can turn twice-daily shaving routines into something of the past while decreasing irritation. Furthermore, laser hair removal offers more cost-effective long-term solutions than purchasing razors and shaving cream separately.
Be mindful when considering surgical procedures: they may be painful and could result in redness and swelling at the site of treatment. Sun exposure must be limited in this area; wearing a hat and long-sleeved shirt to shield it is advised.
Before your laser treatment begins, it is wise to stop using any sunless skin products for at least one week – this can prevent darkening of the skin that could hinder its effectiveness. Furthermore, shaving the area prior to appointment allows the laser to more clearly see any pigment present and destroy any hair follicles below.
Laser hair removal for small areas of your body may be feasible with an at-home device, though you should first consult with a dermatologist. Avoid tweezing or plucking prior to treatment since this could disrupt the pigment of the skin and the laser might find it hard to differentiate between skin pigmentation and hair pigment. Also avoid tanning in this area since tanning makes it hard for it to detect difference between pigmented skin and hair pigments.
Preparation
Preparing skin for laser hair removal requires taking certain steps, such as forgoing tanning and skin-lightening cream use, or plucking and waxing the area that will be treated, to allow the laser to target individual hair roots more accurately.
Before receiving laser therapy, it is advised to avoid sun exposure and sunless tanning for several weeks prior to the procedure, as prolonged sun exposure increases the risk of adverse reactions such as severe redness or skin irritation caused by laser light therapy.
Before beginning treatment, technicians typically apply a numbing cream to the area being treated. Unfortunately, it’s not guaranteed to work in every situation; some individuals may experience adverse reactions to it, leading to irritated or even allergic skin reactions.
Laser hair removal treatments tend to work best on people with lighter complexions and darker hair colors, as the contrast in pigment allows the laser to detect and destroy more easily the hair follicle. However, those with darker complexions or hair colors still stand a chance of experiencing success through laser treatments.
To achieve optimal results and decrease skin irritation, shaving the area that will be treated prior to laser hair removal sessions can greatly enhance results and decrease irritation. It is also advised that waxing, tweezing and electrolysis be avoided three weeks prior to the procedure; those who tend to be sensitive should speak with their physician or aesthetician regarding how best to prepare themselves to prevent irritation during treatments.
Side Effects
Laser hair removal offers a quick and painless solution for unwanted body hair. The procedure eliminates the need for shaving, tweezing, waxing or threading with long-term results that typically fade within hours of treatment; however, there can be potential risks and side effects. Redness may arise during treatment before eventually subsiding within 24-48 hours; blistering could occur which could potentially result in scarring if not cared for properly.
Additionally, certain individuals are susceptible to herpes and other infectious complications; these risks can be avoided by staying out of the sun and using prescription-strength antiviral medication prior to laser treatment. It’s also wise to delay plucking, scrubbing, or electrolysis activities for six weeks prior to going under laser treatment as these activities can temporarily remove hair roots, diminishing its efficacy.
Although rarely needed, laser treatment can lead to burns and blisters when performed improperly by unqualified practitioners. When performing laser therapy on skin surfaces, trained laser technicians apply a cooling device before turning on their laser, to help ensure heat from its use doesn’t damage it further. Furthermore, it is essential that any blisters be treated as wounds, using wound healing cream as soon as they occur to avoid infections from occurring.
Laser light absorbs pigment in hair and follicles to heat them up and destroy their ability to grow hair in future. It works best on those with dark hair and light skin as their contrast allows the laser light to target just their follicles while avoiding surrounding skin areas. However, pregnant women are advised against receiving laser treatment due to hormonal fluctuations which may disrupt its effectiveness.
Results
Laser therapy uses an intense beam of light that penetrates the skin to target pigmentation and heat-trapping it, inflicting irreparable damage on hair follicles so they’re no longer capable of growing back. Treatment results typically become evident within six sessions; depending on hair type and skin tone, results could last months or years.
Laser hair removal works best on those with dark skin and dark hair because the contrast makes it easier for the laser to differentiate between their respective colors. Unfortunately, it cannot distinguish between white, grey, or red pigmentations because some lasers perform better at distinguishing shades than others; to find one suitable to your individual needs.
Before your appointment, it’s essential that the area being treated be shaved in order to provide enough hair for laser to target. Any plucking or waxing should also be avoided to reduce uneven pigmentation issues and ensure you use a sunscreen with at least an SPF 30 sunscreen on it.
Laser hair removal may not be permanent, but it does significantly decrease the amount of hair that grows back in treated areas. You may require touch up sessions to maintain results. Furthermore, this procedure is an excellent solution for people who have sensitive skin or who simply dislike shaving; its quick, relatively pain-free nature make it suitable for treating facial, neckline, arm & leg hair, underarms, bikini line or stomach areas.
