Laser hair removal can be an effective treatment option for many forms of unwanted body hair, with each treatment contributing to further hair being targeted and eventually shed off.
Most patients describe laser hair removal as small pinches – much less painful than waxing! Preparation is the key to making laser hair removal comfortable.
Pain Receptors
Many men and women feel embarrassed by unwanted body hair, yet traditional methods like shaving or waxing require constant upkeep that often leaves skin irritation or itchiness. Laser hair removal offers an effective and safe solution that removes unwanted body hair while simultaneously decreasing future growth – helping alleviate any itchiness or ingrown hairs associated with other methods of hair removal.
Pain receptors (nociceptor neurons) are sensory neurons that detect damaging stimuli by sending signals to the brain about any potential threats, prompting it to generate the sensation of pain in order to draw attention to an affected area and prompt action from within the body to mitigate that threat. This process is known as nociceptience.
Laser hair removal treatments use pulses of light energy to destroy hair follicles and may stimulate nerve endings and cause mild discomfort in the treated area, although pain tolerance varies significantly; nevertheless, most find the procedure far more tolerable than they might expect; you might experience something resembling rubber band snapping against your skin with each pulse of energy used during treatment.
To ensure the most comfortable laser hair removal experience, it is recommended to shave or trim the area being treated prior to undergoing laser hair removal. Shaving helps expose more surface skin layers for laser light to penetrate and destroy hair follicles more effectively. In order to maximize results of laser hair removal sessions, plucking and waxing should be avoided in this area for at least six weeks prior to treatment; plucking or waxing may disturb their root, increasing sensitivity and increasing damage potential of hair follicles. Likewise, prolonged sunlight exposure increases sensitivity, making laser more susceptible to penetrate and destroy hair follicles more effectively.
Laser hair removal can be an ideal solution for anyone, but especially beneficial to those suffering from polycystic ovary syndrome or hormonal imbalances that cause excessive amounts of unwanted body hair to grow back quickly. A few consistent sessions will yield long-lasting results that save both time and money in hair maintenance costs in the future.
Target Areas
Laser hair removal is an ideal solution for anyone wanting to get rid of unwanted body or facial hair quickly, safely, and effectively. The procedure is fast, noninvasive, and highly effective at extracting hair while leaving surrounding tissue undamaged; making it a popular option among those who want an alternative to shaving, tweezing or depilatory cream use. Most patients opt for this procedure on legs, armpits, backs or bikini area but it can be performed anywhere there’s unwanted growth.
Before laser hair removal can begin, the targeted area is first numbed with topical anesthetics. A practitioner then uses a handheld device to target individual follicles with laser pulses causing what has been described as similar to rubber band snapping against skin; most patients find this sensation tolerable and comfortable.
As the laser beams penetrate the skin, they target melanin pigment in hair follicles to effectively target dark hair with light skin tones. Therefore, this procedure has proven most successful among those who possess dark locks and light skintone. With technological advancement, studies are currently underway into making laser hair removal possible on those with blonde or gray locks as well.
Although the frequency and number of sessions needed may differ for each person, most will experience at least a 90% reduction in unwanted hair. This means less shaving, tweezing or waxing – saving both time and preventing embarrassing ingrown hairs or hyperpigmentation from developing.
Before seeing the full benefits of laser hair removal, it’s essential that you commit to several short appointments over a period of time. Furthermore, it would be prudent not to pluck or wax between treatments as this could slow results significantly.
After treating areas, you will notice a decrease in shaving frequency or frequency altogether as the hair in those treated areas becomes much finer and shorter. While yearly touch-up sessions may be needed to maintain results, after this you no longer need to worry about where or how you need to shave or tweeze!
Preparing Your Skin
Your dermatologist may use a topical numbing cream on the area being treated for laser hair removal. Before your appointment, inquire as to the best use for this cream as well as its risks and benefits; some patients have found taking Tylenol or another anti-inflammatory medicine such as Ibuprofen or Alieve may help ease discomfort during laser hair removal; however, such drugs could thin blood too quickly leading to bruises or bleeding during your laser session.
Smudge proof the area you will be treating two or three days prior to laser hair removal by shaving it completely free of all hairs; any loose ones could impede with laser’s ability to penetrate hair follicle and cause painful burns on skin surface, so ensure all stray ones have been eliminated by shaving thoroughly in advance of your appointment. It is also wise to refrain from waxing, tweezing, or plucking beforehand in order to minimize skin burns during treatment.
Start moisturizing regularly prior to and during laser therapy appointments in order to protect and improve the tolerance for laser treatment, and prevent surface burns. Doing this may also increase tolerance levels while decreasing surface burn risks.
Before your appointment, it’s best to avoid tanning beds and self-tanners for two weeks as both natural and artificial tanning can interfere with laser treatments by making skin colors uneven – this could make treatment less effective and may prevent laser professionals from treating clients with sunburn on target areas.
Be mindful when applying products to your skin in the weeks leading up to laser hair removal treatment. A variety of common skin care products, including cleansers, creams and lotions can increase photosensitivity – making the risk of laser treatment burn even higher. Be especially wary of any products containing benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid or retinol (ie: benzoyl peroxide/salicylic acid/retinol), be it facial cleanser/creams/lotions etc… until after your laser hair removal treatment before starting treatment again.
Post-Procedure Care
Maintaining cool skin after treatment helps minimize post-procedure pain and swelling. You can do this by using a cool washcloth or applying an ice pack wrapped in cloth or paper towels directly onto the area for several minutes at a time, several times each day, until needed. You may also take medications such as steroids creams, acetaminophen (Tylenol), and anti-inflammatory drugs as directed to reduce discomfort and swelling.
Make sure the laser hair removal technician you choose for your treatment is qualified, experienced and insured. Request to see their certifications as well as check that they belong to a register that proves they meet certain standards in training, skill and insurance coverage.
Sun exposure should be limited after laser hair removal to minimize irritation of your skin. If necessary, wear broad spectrum SPF sunscreen. In addition, heat sources like hot shower baths or saunas should also be avoided to avoid aggravating and leading to blistering of your skin.
After your first treatment, some hairs that were not completely removed may begin to return; these should not be shaved, waxed, or plucked but instead allowed to fall out naturally or tweezed as necessary. Regular sessions to keep hair growth under control are highly recommended – typically every four weeks for facial and six weeks for body hair growth.
If you have darker skin, your doctor may prescribe a skin bleaching cream to lighten it prior to laser hair removal treatment. It is important that your skin does not become too dark at the time of laser therapy because this could compromise its efficacy.
Before and after receiving laser hair removal treatments, it is wise to refrain from other forms of hair removal such as plucking, waxing or electrolysis, as these methods may disturb the surface of hair follicles and make them resistant to laser therapy. Furthermore, it’s advisable to wait at least 24 hours before using makeup, lotions, oils or any other beauty products on treated areas.
