Armpit laser hair removal is an inconspicuously non-painful cosmetic treatment to reduce and remove unwanted armpit hair. Unlike shaving or waxing, this permanent technique destroys hair follicles – leading to permanent reduction in armpit hair growth and smooth skin.
Before going through with any laser procedure, it’s essential to prepare the area. Experts suggest shaveing on the day of your appointment in order to help the laser reach hair follicles more easily. Furthermore, you should avoid direct sun exposure and products that darken skin tone such as sunless creams.
How to prepare
Hair removal is an increasingly popular beauty procedure, and for good reason. A quick and painless laser session can reduce underarm stubble to give you smooth skin. Although some find the process discomforting, planning ahead can make the experience more manageable and effective.
Before your appointment, ensure the area will be clean. Lotions, makeup and deodorants that contain harmful ingredients could compromise the laser’s ability to target pigmented hair follicles effectively – any products containing these elements must be removed at least 24 hours in advance for effective laser hair follicle targeting.
Before your laser hair removal session, it is also wise to refrain from plucking and waxing the area being treated. Both methods uproot hair rather than targeting its source – which could compromise results. If either has been an integral part of your routine prior to starting laser treatment, take six weeks off between visits before trying again.
Avoiding sunlight exposure before and after laser hair removal treatment is also critical to success. UV rays from sunlight can cause discoloration of your skin post-treatment, so it is best to stay out of direct sunlight at least two weeks prior to your appointment. If necessary, apply sunscreen liberally on affected areas while covering them up with loose-fitting clothing or a hat if outdoors.
Before beginning treatment, a professional will first carefully clean and then apply topical anesthetic as required. When this has taken effect, a technician will use a handheld device against your armpit that emits pulses of light to target hair roots while simultaneously providing cooling gel or spray to reduce pain and discomfort.
Laser hair removal can be painful if you have thinner skin. Underarm area tends to be especially sensitive; therefore you should prepare for that prior to scheduling an appointment. If you’re concerned about discomfort during laser hair removal treatment, make sure you speak to your laser technician beforehand; they should be able to tell you about potential discomfort levels as well as give helpful tips on minimizing them.
What to expect during the procedure
Underarm laser treatment works well on most parts of the body, including underarms. However, multiple sessions may be necessary before seeing desired results; most men and women require six to eight treatments spaced out about four weeks apart. Between laser sessions it’s recommended not shaving, waxing or plucking hairs between appointments, while it’s also important not to tan for at least a month beforehand to keep pigmentation levels from darkening excessively so the laser can focus its beam on hair follicles alone without distracting other areas that may tanners may darkening that allows it to laser focus solely.
Procedure should be pain-free for most patients; however, individual experiences may differ significantly. Some have low pain thresholds and therefore will need more treatments than usual to achieve optimal results; other people might describe the sensation as that of tiny rubber bands flicking against their skin during treatment.
Before beginning treatment, your technician will apply a topical numbing cream or gel to reduce any discomfort during laser sessions. Next, they’ll move the laser over the target area to disable hair follicles; treatment typically lasts just minutes depending on its size.
Following treatment, the affected area will likely become red and swollen, and applying ice may help reduce swelling as needed during recovery. Because sunlight will make your skin vulnerable during healing, a sunscreen with at least SPF30 protection should be worn to provide optimal sun protection during summer months.
People using laser treatment may notice their treated area is growing new hair between laser sessions. This is likely because only certain percentage of hair follicles were disabled during each laser session and some will continue to produce hair growth. It could also be related to hormonal fluctuations or other external factors which temporarily disable some follicles that continue growing, like hormonal fluctuations or environmental exposures.
Armpit laser hair removal also offers another advantage, in that it can help reduce body odor. Sweat that clings to armpit hair can lead to bacteria growth which creates the unpleasant odors we often associate with body odor.
Post-treatment care
After your laser hair removal appointment, it is important to care for the area with which you were treated. This involves washing it gently with mild soap and water while avoiding harsh exfoliating scrubs and products such as exfoliating scrubs that exfoliate. Ice packs may help soothe any redness or swelling you experience; additionally it is wise to avoid sun exposure, which may darken or burn skin in response to laser treatment.
Once your laser hair removal treatment is completed, the result should be thinner underarm hairs with less visible shafts. However, due to how hair grows in cycles and laser treatments only work when they are actively growing phase, additional sessions may be necessary in order to reach your desired results.
Laser hair removal differs from shaving and waxing by permanently disabling hair follicles that produce new hairs – unlike these methods which only remove surface-level unwanted hairs from your body. You should schedule laser treatments every six months or so in order to maintain smooth underarms.
Many women and men worry that laser hair removal poses the potential threat of scarring or skin discoloration, although these side effects are relatively rare and typically only impact individuals with darker skin tones. To minimize potential side effects, it is suggested that you refrain from using sunless tanning products at least several weeks prior to attending your laser hair removal appointment.
Prior to your appointment, it is wise to refrain from shaving, plucking or waxing underarm hairs in preparation. Furthermore, tanning in a spray booth may increase hair follicle heat production which could damage or burn skin follicles and cause them to heat up more than necessary and lead to potential burns on the body.
Additionally, it’s advisable to discuss with your laser hair removal technician any medications or supplements you take that could interfere with its effectiveness; some blood-thinning drugs increase your likelihood of experiencing adverse side effects from laser treatment; it would also be wise not to undergo laser hair removal while pregnant or breastfeeding.
Side effects
If you have sensitive skin, topical anesthetic may help minimize discomfort during treatment; otherwise, laser hair removal often feels no worse than shaving or waxing the underarms.
Armpit laser hair removal results generally last over one year, although you will require follow-up sessions to remove any new hair that sprouts between treatments. Direct sunlight should also be avoided to avoid dark spots or hyperpigmentation on the skin.
Laser hair removal offers many advantages over shaving or waxing; it doesn’t leave behind stubble, is less painful, and can be completed within 10 minutes, making it simple to fit into daily life.
Laser hair removal for the underarms offers many advantages, with reduced body odor being one of them. Sweat clings to hair follicles and breeds bacteria growth which causes body odor. Laser hair removal destroys these follicles so they no longer produce new hair growth and therefore eliminates this source.
For optimal results, shaving or trimming underarm hair prior to laser hair removal will ensure it is extracted at its source and won’t fall out after treatment. In addition, using a numbing cream before your laser appointment can also help minimize pain during sessions.
Most armpit hair removal patients don’t experience side effects from treatment, though some do report redness or irritation following treatment. This should generally subside with cool compresses or baths; typically the effects will fade within hours. Some individuals also report experiencing crusting which leads to scabbing and scarring; this effect tends to occur more commonly among darker-pigmented individuals.
Your best defense against photosensitivity can be found by avoiding products that increase it; these could potentially cause your hair follicles to burn and should be avoided altogether – such as benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid and retinol among others. Also try to limit sun exposure after treatment while applying broad spectrum sunscreen when heading outdoors – to soothe any discomfort use aloe vera gel in that area instead.
