Laser hair removal is a safe, efficient method to rid unwanted body hair of unwanted areas. Its use replaces traditional methods of shaving or waxing as well as more painful methods like electrolysis.
This treatment works best on dark hair – blonde, red, white and gray varieties don’t contain enough melanin to work effectively with it. Furthermore, when your skin isn’t tanned it works even more effectively.
How Does Laser Hair Removal Work?
Laser hair removal uses concentrated light to destroy hair follicles responsible for producing unwanted hair, targeting melanin–the pigment found in hair and skin pigment–with laser beams passing harmlessly through hair follicles without harming surrounding tissues and vaporizing melanin within. Multiple sessions may be necessary in order to permanently eradicate unwanted hair from your body; during treatments you may experience itching or slight discomfort that can be eased with an ice pack on the treated area.
Before beginning this treatment, it’s wise to consult a medical specialist. This is especially important if you have certain medical conditions, are pregnant or nursing, or take medications like anticoagulants. Furthermore, tanning beds should be avoided prior to and following therapy as exposure to sunlight increases your risk for side effects.
Before your procedure starts, a technician will apply gel to your skin to reduce discomfort and protect the surface of your skin from laser light pulses. Next, the laser beam is directed toward the treatment area with pulses of light being delivered – some treatments could take as little as several minutes while others could last up to an hour – your technician can provide more details.
After your treatment, your skin might be red or swollen; to reduce further reddening or swelling it’s important to stay out of direct sunlight and use broad-spectrum SPF 30 sunscreen when outdoors. In addition, sweating or soaking the area could lead to bacterial infections and it’s wise not to wax or pluck in between appointments as doing so would make targeting hair follicles harder for your technician.
Once a hair follicle is damaged, it cannot produce new hair; however, it might still grow in other ways, including catagen or telogen phases; during telogen phase hair shrinks in size until eventually breaking off completely; once back into anagen phase growth begins again it could take months or years before coming back full circle and starting from square one again.
What Are the Side Effects of Laser Hair Removal?
Laser hair removal typically causes side effects in the form of redness, stinging, and swelling to the treated area; these symptoms should dissipate shortly after completion of treatment. Some individuals also report temporary skin discoloration that can be addressed using topical creams. Before going ahead with laser hair removal treatment it is advised that you speak to a dermatologist to make sure that it suits both your skin color and type.
Laser hair removal creates an unpleasant stinging sensation due to heat from its laser beam destroying hair follicles, with results taking anywhere from minutes or up to an hour for closure of all targeted follicles. A cooling gel may be applied before laser treatment as a form of pain relief; you should avoid tanning lines and beds during weeks prior to laser hair removal as these will decrease its effectiveness and possibly result in complications like skin burns.
Utilizing a licensed practitioner is key when seeking laser hair removal, as they have been trained in its safe operation and proper usage. Before hiring any practitioner to remove unwanted hair with laser technology, make sure they are registered on a registry demonstrating they possess all of the skills, knowledge and insurance needed for effective laser hair removal on your skin.
Laser hair removal works more effectively on dark than on light hair due to darker pigment in hair follicles absorbing heat from laser beams more effectively than lighter colored locks. If desired, light locks can still benefit from laser treatment; dyeing it first will increase its efficiency and help it fade more rapidly.
Some individuals find non-laser treatments such as electrolysis more effective at eliminating lighter hair than laser hair removal; however, such procedures can be painful and time consuming. If you prefer faster and simpler solutions like laser hair removal instead, laser may be your ideal option; while it might not completely eradicate unwanted hair growth with repeated sessions.
Can I Have Laser Hair Removal if I Have White Hair?
Since laser machines work by absorbing dark pigment or melanin, it can be very challenging for them to work effectively on blond or white hairs. When treating dark melanin pigment is present in hair and skin it absorbs light energy which in turn heats the follicles, while without melanin the light energy simply passes through without taking effect and thus does not result in hair removal.
Therefore, many individuals with blond or white hairs discover that even after laser treatments have completed, their hair continues to recur. This also applies to individuals who have dyed their blond or white locks; therefore it is suggested they consider an alternative hair removal option such as electrolysis as an effective hair removal strategy.
Electrolysis offers an alternative solution for permanently eliminating unwanted hair, providing a permanent solution by inserting a small needle into each hair follicle and using electric current to destroy them. While laser hair removal only targets dark melanin pigmented hairs, electrolysis can remove all colors including blonde or white ones.
A 45 year-old man with an unsightly patch of white hairs at the angle of his face visited a well-known laser center for their removal. After 4 sessions he was informed that dyeing his hair black would eliminate his salt and pepper hairs; but after 6 sessions they remained unchanged; eventually he visited Reyuva Hair Electrolysis center where electrolysis is their only viable method for their removal.
Electrolysis may be more expensive than traditional methods of hair removal; however, research shows it provides superior and long-term results due to targeting both the root as well as hair itself.
Can I Have Laser Hair Removal if I Have Gray Hair?
Laser hair removal is an increasingly popular noninvasive solution for unwanted body hair. The technique works best on individuals with dark skin and light hair as the contrast allows the laser to more easily target melanin in both. But laser treatments may still work for people with blond, reddish, or gray locks as long as their follicles are in their anagen phase – when growth takes place – rather than catagen or resting stages, which won’t respond to treatment as effectively.
Though laser treatments for gray hair removal can be effective, results of such treatments cannot be guaranteed and can vary based on factors like genetics, medication and nutrition.
Given these restrictions, alternative hair removal solutions might be more appropriate for individuals with gray or blond hair. Traditional razors and waxing can both provide effective ways of eliminating unwanted hair; however, shaving and waxing require repeated treatments in order to remain effective solutions.
Electrolysis is another effective option for eliminating gray hair, and involves inserting a small, sterilized probe into each follicle and applying either heat or chemical energy to it. Unlike laser treatments, it does not depend on pigment to remove hair follicles that are blonde, reddish, or white permanently.
Consultations with an experienced licensed electrologist is crucial when looking into hair removal options, and will allow them to identify the most effective approach and procedure suited for you. When speaking with the practitioner during your consultation, be sure to share information such as taking medication such as acne treatments or have Genital Herpes (HSV-2) infections; tanning beds and waxing products should be avoided prior to scheduling laser treatment sessions as these could interfere with its efficacy.
