Laser hair removal works by heating the root of each follicle to destroy it and stop hair growth. Some red bumps may appear immediately following treatment – this is an encouraging sign as it shows that laser has successfully disrupted follicles.
Be mindful not to shave or wax prior to having any surgical procedure performed as this disrupts the hair follicles and affects results negatively. Also avoid using skin lighteners or blood-thinner medications which could alter their natural state and compromise results.
What is the procedure?
Laser hair removal has quickly become one of the most sought-after cosmetic treatments as a permanent solution to unwanted hair. Using high-powered laser light to target pigment and interrupt its growth cycle, this process is far more efficient than shaving, tweezing or waxing; treating multiple hairs at once with multiple laser light beams at the same time. Laser treatments can be applied anywhere on the body covered in hair including legs, arms, back, chest neck face or bikini area.
Gel is commonly applied to the skin prior to laser treatments in order to protect its surface and limit laser light from burning or damaging it, as well as to avoid targeting too many nearby cells with its light beam.
If you decide to use a gel in conjunction with laser treatments, it is imperative that you abide by the manufacturer’s instructions for its usage. A gel may increase comfort during laser sessions while improving effectiveness; those with dark skin should refrain from tanning beds or other methods intended to artificially lighten it as these methods contain pigment that absorbs too much laser energy.
Before beginning laser hair removal, it is best to shave the area being treated two to three days in advance of an appointment and refrain from plucking, waxing and using tweezers in this area. Furthermore, try not to expose this spot to natural or artificial sunlight as sun exposure may make laser treatments less effective.
At each laser treatment session, protective goggles will be worn to shield your eyes from the laser beam and you may feel sensations similar to rubber band snapping against your skin as the laser heats the pigment from hair follicles. Your practitioner will guide the laser over your skin; treatment time may range anywhere between several minutes and an hour, depending on its size.
After your laser hair removal session, it is normal for some red bumps to appear in the treated area; this indicates that it has successfully disrupted a hair follicle. If these red bumps continue for over 24 hours after laser treatment has taken place, contact your practitioner.
How long will the procedure take?
Laser hair removal is an extremely effective treatment to eliminate or significantly reduce unwanted body hair. As it’s non-invasive and safe for all skin tones, but results take multiple sessions for most people – many finding they require four at least before seeing results they desire.
Your laser hair removal treatment may cause slight discomfort as the laser light hits a targeted area of your face or body, similar to small stings or rubber band snapping against your skin. As the laser destroys hair follicles, smoke and burning hair may be released into the atmosphere; treatments typically last anywhere from several minutes up to an hour, depending on its size.
After your treatment, your skin may become red and swollen; to soothe this discomfort use cold compresses or over-the-counter hydrocortisone creams. Sun exposure should also be limited by using broad spectrum sunscreen with SPF 30+ on any treated areas; also avoid tweezing waxing depilatories etc in that area for several days after your session; only use razor blades without sharp edges when shaving; it’s safe to shave after but you must shave before the next treatment session starts!
Your hair grows in cycles, so to achieve permanent results you will require multiple treatment sessions before seeing permanent results. Your medical provider will create a hair removal plan tailored specifically to you; we advise scheduling laser sessions every four weeks apart if you have light skin with dark hair; otherwise you might require six-8 sessions depending on skin tone.
Touchups may be necessary every year or two on areas susceptible to hormonal shifts; however, some people experience long-lasting or even permanent results after multiple treatments on both their face and neck.
Will I feel any pain?
Unwanted hair growth can be an ongoing source of frustration for some individuals, making their lives even more stressful. While shaving may help, or plucking stubborn strands may bring temporary relief, laser hair removal offers another solution – permanently getting rid of those pesky follicles!
Though everyone’s tolerance for pain varies, most find laser hair removal relatively painless, especially if they take steps beforehand to minimize it. Numbing cream can significantly ease the experience; however, the Food and Drug Administration suggests using it sparingly as excessive use can result in serious side effects.
Shave the area you intend to treat before commencing a laser therapy treatment. This enables the laser beams to effectively target hair follicles without being blocked by thick locks of hair. Also taking acetaminophen (like Tylenol) an hour prior can reduce pain levels during your appointment; just be mindful not to use ibuprofen which thins blood and may increase bleeding during procedures.
Your choice of hair treatment will also influence how much pain you experience. Because lasers target melanin, dark-colored locks must absorb it effectively for successful laser therapy to take place; light colored locks like blonde, gray and white don’t absorb melanin so easily; therefore laser treatments generally don’t work as well on facial areas as on other parts of the body.
If you’re worried about the pain levels of laser hair removal, speaking to people who have undergone it before can provide invaluable insight. They’ll know exactly what to expect and can suggest the most appropriate course of action for your situation – in fact many women who undergo laser treatment report it’s no worse than having your period!!
Will I have any side effects?
Unwanted hair growth can be an inconvenient annoyance, particularly when it comes to shaving, waxing or plucking it off. Laser hair removal offers an effective yet convenient solution that is painless – however it comes with some risks; side effects of laser hair removal may include redness, irritation, itchiness and reddening but they typically subside within hours or less.
Before commencing treatment, doctors will conduct an evaluation to select an optimal laser setting and settings. They may also perform a health evaluation and take photographs of the treatment area. Patients should refrain from using sunless skin creams that darken skin tone as well as plucking, waxing and electrolysis treatments prior to laser hair removal as these can potentially harm follicles and compromise pregnancy plans.
The primary side effect is usually mild discomfort similar to that caused by rubber band snapping on your skin, though doctors typically apply topical numbing cream and cooling gel to minimize this sensation. Some individuals also report experiencing an unpleasant sulfurous odor as their hair absorbs energy from the laser.
Burns or blisters could occur to those with darker skin tones if untreated by a skilled dermatologist, due to melanin’s absorption of higher energies which could result in burns; this, however, is rare.
Redness and swelling are also commonly experienced; for this reason, aloe vera or hydrocortisone cream should be applied directly to the affected areas to relieve irritation. Keep in mind that this treatment does not permanently eliminate hair; multiple sessions may be required before optimal results are seen.
Laser hair removal can be a safe and effective solution to unwanted hair removal. However, those with lighter complexions should exercise caution as this procedure may result in burns or blisters; those with darker skin should seek out a dermatologist experienced in performing laser hair treatments on people of various skin tones instead of home laser devices and instead utilize professional facilities with superior equipment.
