You’ve arrived at the ideal location if you’ve been thinking about getting laser hair removal. As you are no doubt aware, there are many factors to take into account, so whether you’re looking for a clinic or thinking about purchasing an at-home device, it’s crucial to conduct research first.
You can only decide if the procedure is right for you after reading about the benefits and drawbacks of laser hair removal as well as its possible side effects.
Not only does laser hair removal help remove unwanted hair, but it also can help with other issues like ingrown hairs, which are prone to causing hyperpigmentation, especially in deep skin tones.
All of your laser myths will be dispelled below, from the fact that they rarely cause hair growth to the requirement that you avoid sunlight.
What is Laser Hair Removal?
Unwanted body hair can be reduced or removed without surgery by using lasers. One of the most common minimally invasive cosmetic procedures in the United States, laser hair removal saw more than one million procedures in 2016. For people with excessive body hair who are looking for a practical way to effectively reduce or remove hair with low price from both large and small areas of the body, it may be a good option.
Laser Hair Removal Procedure
Before the procedure, a medical specialist (a physician, physician assistant, or registered nurse) cleans the treatment area. Applying numbing gel may be necessary if the area is particularly sensitive. Everyone in the room must wear specialized protective eyewear throughout the procedure to avoid laser eye damage.
Once the numbing gel kicks in, the medical specialist focuses a beam of high-energy light at the desired area. The bigger the area you would like treated, the longer the procedure takes. Small areas can take as little as a couple of minutes while larger areas such as the chest can take an hour or more.
Some patients describe feeling like a rubber band snapping or the sting of a sunburn. It is possible for the smoke puffs to emit a sulfurous odor as the laser’s energy causes the hair to vaporize.
Preparing for Laser Hair Removal
Before your appointment, your doctor should go over specific preparation guidelines. The procedure is more effective and the risk of side effects is lower when these instructions are followed. Here are some common recommendations:
For a few days prior to the procedure, avoid the sun. On skin that has been suntan, laser hair removal should not be done.
Avoid irritating the skin.
Stay away from waxing and plucking.
Avoid using anti-inflammatory medications that, like aspirin, may cause more bleeding.
The procedure should not be done if you have an infection that is still active, like a cold sore or bacterial skin infection.
You might also be advised to apply a skin-bleaching agent to the treatment area if you have dark skin.
Target Areas for Laser Hair Removal
Target areas include:
Back
Shoulders
Arms
Chest
Bikini area
Legs
Neck
Upper lip
Chin
How Does Laser Hair Removal Work?
In order to remove hair from the skin’s hair follicles—tiny cavities from which hair grows—laser hair removal uses concentrated light. The hair follicle absorbs the laser, which is attracted to the hair’s melanin pigment, and the hair vaporizes instantly.
People with dark hair and light skin make ideal candidates for laser hair removal because the pigment in their hair attracts the laser and causes darker hair to absorb it more effectively.
Typically, patients with dark skin require treatment with a specific kind of laser that can detect hair against skin.
People with light hair are less likely to be good candidates, and they are also less likely to see dramatic results because the laser has trouble focusing on hair that isn’t pigmented. Blonde, gray, or white hairs cannot be effectively removed by laser hair removal.
Are There Any Risks Or Side Effects?
Serious side effects from laser hair removal are uncommon. The most common side effects include:
Swelling
Redness
Discomfort and skin irritation
After the treatment, they usually go away within a few days. You should get in touch with your doctor if your symptoms don’t go away.
Less common side effects include:
Scars
Burns
Blisters
Infections
Permanent changes in skin color
These risks can be significantly decreased by carefully selecting a qualified medical specialist. The American Academy of Dermatology recommends only having laser hair removal performed by a board-certified dermatologist to minimize any risk of complications.
What to Expect After Laser Hair Removal
The majority of patients can resume their normal lives right away after the procedure, and there is very little recovery time. Just as wearing sunscreen before the procedure is important, so is continuing to wear it after the procedure. This will help prevent further irritation.
You can expect to see a reduction in the number of hairs in the treated area immediately after the procedure. Two to eight weeks after laser hair removal, you may begin to notice an increase in hair growth in the treated area. This is because not all hair follicles react to the laser in the same way. After the first treatment, most patients experience a 10 to 25% reduction in hair. It typically takes between three and eight sessions for permanent hair loss. You’ll have a better idea of how many treatment sessions you might need after the evaluation with your specialist before the procedure. In order to maintain effect, you will probably need a touch-up session once a year.
How Much Does Laser Hair Removal Cost?
Cost varies based on multiple factors including:
The specialist’s experience
Geographic location
Size of the treatment area
Number of sessions
Find more about the cost of laser hair removal on Home Services Offers