Researchers caution of the dangers posed by laser hair removal’s unpleasant aroma: researchers note the laser “plume,” or puff of smoke released during laser hair removal treatments contains chemicals known to irritate airways and contribute to cancer risk.
Procedure is similar to being stung, lasting anywhere from minutes to an hour depending on the size and scope of area being treated. Aftercare instructions provided by practitioner should be strictly observed; not exposing treated skin to natural or artificial sunlight should also be observed.
1. You are tanned.
Laser hair removal is an efficient and safe method of eliminating unwanted hair. The process entails passing a laser over an area to destroy the hair follicles and stop further growth. Treatment times typically take minutes (upper lip) or up to an hour (full back), although larger areas may produce an unpleasant odor due to the plume of smoke released during laser sessions which contains chemicals harmful for respiratory systems and can produce unpleasant smells during treatments.
Laser hair removal sessions typically don’t cause too much pain; some clients may feel a tingling sensation as the laser passes over their skin, and its heat also has a cooling effect that soothes irritated or inflamed spots on the body.
If you have an abundance of hair to remove, it may require several sessions to achieve the desired results. The number of treatments required depends on both the color and contrast between it and your skin tone – darker hair tends to absorb laser energy more readily due to melanin in its follicles absorbing light energy more readily; whereas, tanning too heavily could prevent laser from distinguishing between hair pigment and skin pigment, leading to burns.
Avoiding hyper-pigmentation and scarring are among the key ways of protecting skin after laser treatments, along with discoloration or hyperpigmentation. Use of high SPF sunscreen with broad spectrum protection will also provide additional defense from side effects such as hyperpigmentation.
Another option for treating hair loss may be shaving your head before treatment begins or waxing it away. While shaving may be less damaging and shorter-term solutions than waxing, waxing can damage roots of hair causing coarser and patchier regrowth of coarser and patchier locks.
2. You have a lot of hair.
Lasers target hair follicles with dense pigmentation, so dark hair absorbs more heat than light hair and destroys its follicle, rendering it incapable of growing new hairs. Because hairs grow at various rates at any given time, multiple treatments will likely be required before all are gone.
If you have a lot of hair, it is vital that you follow the advice and recommendations from your laser technician and attend all scheduled appointments. They’ll create a plan that will ensure all of it comes off within their ideal timeline.
Your laser technician may advise that you apply sunscreen prior to and during laser sessions as sun exposure can pose serious threats to the skin during laser treatment, potentially leading to burns and the associated burning hair smell.
3. You are not a good candidate for laser hair removal.
Laser hair removal is a nonsurgical cosmetic procedure that promises to permanently eliminate unwanted hair. This technology works by targeting pigment in hair shafts to destroy them using heat energy; while effective at clearing away large patches like legs or backs, individual stray hairs cannot always be eliminated this way.
Laser hair removal works best on those with dark skin and thick, coarse hair. Because lasers target melanin in hair follicles, darker follicles tend to show greater effectiveness from treatment than others; this doesn’t rule out blonds and redheads from seeking this form of therapy, although results may not be as noticeable for these individuals compared with those with darker locks; an esthetician can assess your individual hair and skin tone and make an appropriate recommendation.
Tanned skin can also impede the effectiveness of laser hair removal treatments. Since laser light targets pigmentation in your hair follicles, its light can become disoriented if it detects large amounts of color elsewhere on the skin – potentially resulting in laser burns if tanning prior to your laser hair removal session is done in an unhealthy manner. Therefore it’s recommended not to get sunbathing prior to having laser hair removal treatment done.
Before your laser session, it is wise to avoid waxing, tweezing and plucking hairs as these treatments will prevent the laser from targeting your follicles effectively and can lead to ingrown hairs. If waxing must take place prior to your treatment date, do it a few days beforehand using gentler products.
Laser hair removal should not be undertaken during pregnancy or trying to become pregnant due to hormone fluctuations causing hyperpigmentation in the treatment area and possibly leading to keloids forming on those predisposed to developing them. Your plastic surgeon or esthetician will discuss all risks with you and offer alternatives if pregnant or trying to become pregnant is an option for you.
Once again, another factor to keep in mind when considering laser hair removal is whether you have other conditions that increase the risks involved, such as an infection or psoriasis. Retinol-containing skincare products must also be avoided prior to and post laser hair removal as these could increase skin sensitivity and possibly worsen outcomes.
4. You are not a good candidate for laser hair removal.
Laser hair removal is an increasingly popular non-invasive cosmetic procedure which permanently destroys unwanted hair follicles for smooth and soft skin. While laser hair removal has many benefits, it may not be suitable for everyone.
Your skin tone, the color of your hair and other factors all play a part in whether or not laser hair removal treatments are suitable for you. To find out if that is indeed the case for you, consulting with a board certified dermatologist such as Azadeh Shirazi MD on New York City’s Upper East Side neighborhood. She specializes in laser hair removal procedures and will work closely with you during her consultation to develop an individualized plan tailored specifically towards addressing any specific concerns and aesthetic goals that come up in conversation.
Your physician will use a hand-held laser instrument with cooling features or gel on its tip to reduce discomfort during laser hair removal. As soon as the laser beam enters your skin and passes through to your follicles, heating them up so as to destroy them, while at the same time dispersing pigmented hair so it cannot grow back.
Prior to your treatment session, it is crucial that the area being addressed be shaved. This helps shorten the path of laser energy and reach its source more easily – the root. Also important is to refrain from waxing, tweezing or plucking as these may interfere with its effectiveness and reduce effectiveness of laser hair removal.
Certain individuals with thin, fine hair that does not respond well to laser treatment cannot utilize it due to it not responding as intended. Furthermore, birth control pills or Spironolactone can lead to unwanted facial hair in women making laser removal unsuitable as an option.
Pregnancy hormone fluctuations may lead to excess hair growth on the abdomen, breasts, face and other parts of the body. While laser treatments are sometimes effective during gestation, doctors typically advise waiting until post-nursing has finished before initiating them.
