Laser hair removal is a popular cosmetic treatment, employing an intense beam of light to eliminate unwanted hair. However, this procedure must never be performed over tattoos as this could compromise them and potentially cause irreparable damage.
Tattoo removal should be avoided at all costs as it can result in permanent damage and lead to serious skin conditions. Luckily, there are safe alternatives such as electrolysis that offer effective solutions.
It’s Not a Good Idea
Try not to rely on untrained home laser devices if possible – even though it might seem tempting. Not only is home use ineffective at removing hair effectively, it is also potentially hazardous and harmful to your skin – risking blisters, scarring and permanent discoloration of your complexion if performed without professional medical expertise. This treatment should only ever be carried out by trained and licensed healthcare providers.
As part of your procedure, the laser will deliver intense heat into your hair follicles to destroy them, which may be painful if there’s a large area to cover; some people have described this sensation as feeling like rubber bands snapping against their skin. Treatment time varies based on size of area being treated – anywhere between several minutes and an hour can pass before redness and swelling subside quickly afterwards; you might also experience some scabbing caused by hair follicles absorbing its heat and producing their own heat as part of its normalization process.
Avoid tanning products (even sunless tanners) at least a month before your appointment to maximize its success and ensure a contrast in pigment between your hair and skin, which allows the laser to target and destroy individual follicles more accurately. It is also important to keep in mind that laser hair removal treatments may require multiple sessions in order to achieve results you want.
Shaving too closely before undergoing laser treatments is a common mistake that many patients make, which can hinder the results of your session. While it’s necessary to shave those areas you wish to have treated, do it carefully so as not to accidentally cut yourself or cause injury to your skin.
Before and after laser treatment, it’s also wise to limit sun exposure as much as possible; laser light can cause your skin to burn so protecting yourself is paramount. If necessary, be sure to apply high SPF sunscreen.
It’s Not Safe
Laser hair removal uses pulses of light to target and destroy unwanted pigmentation in hair follicles, without harming nearby tissues or follicles. Light energy penetrates just deep enough into each follicle to interrupt its cycle and ultimately limit regrowth of unwanted hairs.
Laser hair treatments are generally safe when performed by experienced professionals at a clinic or salon, although certain activities should be avoided before their session to avoid side effects such as tanning and waxing before receiving laser therapy treatments.
People must also understand that laser treatments may cause some skin irritation or redness. The severity of discomfort varies based on both the area being treated and individual tolerance for pain; some patients compare it to being snapped by a rubber band or poked with a needle; however, discomfort typically subsides within hours, leaving many individuals completely tolerating it.
Common laser hair removal side effects include temporary redness and swelling; however, in rare instances the skin may become scabby or blistered – both conditions could lead to scarring and changes in complexion if left untreated.
Due to the potential complications, individuals seeking laser hair removal should always consult an experienced dermatologist prior to beginning. They will advise what steps should be taken both prior to and post procedure; for example, lightening creams might be advised for those with darker skin tone as well as avoiding sun exposure prior to and post laser treatment.
Laser treatments should not be performed on individuals with sensitive skin or light-colored hair, those who have had herpes simplex infection, pregnancy women and those taking blood-thinning medications.
Whoever wishes to rid themselves of unwanted hair should realize that multiple laser sessions will likely be required; one session usually needs to occur every four to eight weeks depending on which area is being treated.
It’s Not Effective
Laser treatments offer an alternative method for hair removal that goes beyond simply trimming or plucking out unwanted follicles from their roots, laser treatments destroy them at their source and prevent future regrowth. While laser treatment doesn’t always work on every type of hair and skin tone, with patience you may eventually see results that meet your expectations from laser therapy treatments.
Laser hair removal depends on a balance between the pigment in your skin and melanin in the hair, with light-skinned individuals tending to experience greater success; those with darker complexions can still benefit after several sessions, especially if their color of hair has altered. It may cause side effects like inflammation, redness of the skin or scab formation but these tend to be temporary in nature.
Prior to laser hair removal procedures, it is vital to avoid tanning your skin and other methods of hair removal such as waxing and plucking for four weeks prior. Furthermore, staying out of direct sunlight and using sunscreens are advised for skin protection; additionally it’s wise not to take certain blood-thinning medicines as they could reduce its effectiveness.
Before the actual laser treatment starts, a topical pain-relieving gel will likely be provided to you to apply directly onto the area prior to being zapped by light pulses from a laser light source. You will feel like rubber bands snapping against your skin – some patients even describe this sensation as feeling similar to rubber band snapping against their skin! It is common to smell smoke as your hair is destroyed by its heat pulses from a laser’s light beams.
Once your procedure has been completed, it is best to refrain from sweating for 24 hours following treatment, as sweat can irritate the skin and potentially lead to infection. Furthermore, follow all post-treatment instructions including cold compresses and sunlight exposure avoidance. If any questions arise regarding your eligibility for laser treatments please consult a dermatologist or esthetician before purchasing a treatment package.
It’s Not a Long-Lasting Solution
Laser hair removal may seem like an ideal long-term solution, but that isn’t quite true – laser only puts dormant the follicles, leading to thinner and lighter growth over time. Still, laser is much more effective than shaving or waxing which are both painful and time consuming processes to regularly perform.
Laser technology used for this procedure is drawn to dark pigmentation, enabling it to target hair follicles without harming surrounding skin. As such, it can be performed on people of various skin colors but those with light skin and dark hair tend to experience greater results from treatments than others. People with darker complexions may need additional treatments or to use bleaching agents before receiving this procedure.
Before your laser hair removal appointment, it is essential that all makeup or skin products be removed, as this could interfere with the machine’s ability to detect hair follicles. Sunless skin creams and other methods such as plucking and waxing should also be avoided in this area prior to laser sessions. Likewise, sun exposure must be limited while wearing sunscreen to protect yourself against burns, hyperpigmentation or any other forms of damage that might occur from direct sunlight exposure.
Notably, after your laser hair removal session it may take anywhere between three days and four weeks for all hair follicles to shed completely; otherwise it can give an appearance of continued growth; therefore it’s wise to schedule maintenance appointments regularly for optimal results.
Laser hair removal performed by an experienced dermatologist can be safe and effective for all skin types. Before scheduling appointments with untrained technicians, though, it’s wise to research your practitioner carefully as inexperienced technicians could cause injury to your skin or leave scars behind. To minimize risks further, opt for medical spas that specialize solely in laser hair removal services – this way you know their practitioners have received extensive training in performing the procedure.
