Laser hair removal offers the advantage of permanently eliminating unwanted facial and body hair without damaging surrounding skin. But it may not be suitable for everyone.
As it’s essential that those conducting laser hair removal be adequately trained, uncertified practitioners may cause burns or other side effects that could compromise results.
1. It is painful
Laser hair removal utilizes a beam of light to temporarily eradicate unwanted facial and body hair by disabling cells responsible for growth. If performed by a skilled practitioner, laser hair removal should not be painful; in fact, it’s more effective than waxing or shaving! However, some individuals may find the procedure uncomfortable.
Pain levels depend on both the area of your body being treated and your own tolerance level. Some of the more sensitive spots include your upper lip, legs and bikini area due to thin skin. Other areas like cheeks and chin tend to be less painful as they have thicker skin layers. Those who may experience discomfort before their appointments should ensure they drink plenty of water beforehand to stay hydrated, and can take over-the-counter pain relievers for additional relief.
After laser hair removal, some patients may experience irritation, swelling and redness; these side effects typically subside within hours with application of an ice pack to the affected area. Patients should contact their physician if experiencing symptoms beyond mild irritation such as blistering, discoloration or scabbing.
Laser treatments may cause hair to grow back thinner and lighter after being treated due to damaging healthy hairs as well as those growing abnormally, making regrowth likely. It is advised to attend two or six laser hair removal sessions for best results.
Laser hair removal should only be undertaken under the guidance of a qualified practitioner; otherwise it can result in irreparable side effects, including blistering, scarring and discoloration. This occurs because light from the laser is absorbed by pigment found in your skin and hair which then heats up; those with darker complexions may notice that their facial skin becomes slightly lighter after laser treatments; but these changes are only temporary.
2. It is expensive
Laser hair removal is a minimally invasive cosmetic procedure that uses light technology to target hair follicles and stop their growth. Treatment is typically administered in-office by medical professionals or trained aestheticians and, while generally safe and effective, can sometimes cause redness and swelling as side effects; more serious effects such as blistering or infection may also arise.
Based on your skin type and area being treated, the laser practitioner may apply topical numbing gel or cool air spray to minimize discomfort prior to starting treatment. They then put protective goggles over their eyes before initiating laser sessions – with some lasers taking just seconds per session! Although multiple sessions will likely be needed before reaching desired results; additionally you’ll likely require annual maintenance appointments for proper functioning.
Before your first laser hair removal treatment, it is crucial that you shave the area of skin you will be treating and avoid plucking or waxing the area as this could interfere with its effectiveness. In addition, be sure to notify your physician or dermatologist of any medications such as blood thinners you are currently taking as this can have an adverse reaction with laser therapy and it’s essential they know of any allergies you might have to laser treatments.
Laser hair removal can be costly for some patients. Luckily, there are financing options that may help alleviate some of its expenses. Ask your specialist if they offer patient payment plans and compare any associated interest rates before making any final decisions.
Be mindful that laser hair removal is an investment, yet can save both time and money over time. By eliminating shaving, tweezing, threading and waxing needs in the short and long term – along with its associated costs – laser hair removal proves its worth over time. Track your expenses each year on these procedures so you’ll see that its initial costs make the investment worth its while in terms of savings alone.
3. It is not permanent
However, laser hair removal differs from waxing or shaving in that its heat from laser destroys hair follicles to stop their growth, rather than extracting each individual hair directly. After treatment, however, hair may still fall out several days to weeks later; any regrow will likely be thinner and lighter in color – although most people require multiple sessions before noticing a significant decline in their growth rate. It typically takes between 2-6 sessions before people notice significant decrease in hair growth.
Laser therapy works best on people with thick dark hair and light skin; their contrast enables the laser heat to be easily absorbed by their hair. Unfortunately, however, it may not work as effectively for those who have gray, white, or blonde locks or use sun exposure to get a tan or have dark skin as well as taking acne medication or suffering from genital herpes or cold sores.
Before undertaking laser hair removal, consult with a dermatologist in order to establish safe practices and realistic expectations about results. It’s also crucial that pre- and post-treatment instructions be strictly adhered to so as to reduce side effects like swelling, redness and skin changes as a result of treatment.
After your laser treatment, you may experience temporary discomfort that can be alleviated with ice packs applied directly to the affected area and moisturizing. Makeup should also be avoided for up to 48 hours as this could cause your treated area to burn and react negatively. Furthermore, tanning or using sunscreen could cause your treated area to burn further and react.
Though laser hair removal is not permanent, it can keep you hair free for months or even years. By eliminating the need for regular shaving, waxing, and plucking – saving both time and money over time – laser can reduce shaving, waxing, plucking costs as well as ingrown hairs or irritation.
4. It is not safe
Laser hair removal can be carried out safely when performed by experienced practitioners. Although improper execution could result in scars or discoloration, this should never happen when performed by qualified medical staff such as dermatologists. Pre and post treatment precautions must also be observed; those receiving this procedure should treat the treated area like any wound and report any signs of infection immediately to their dermatologist; additionally they should refrain from using over-the-counter antibiotic creams on large portions of skin.
Before undergoing laser hair follicle treatments, it is crucial to minimize sun exposure. The laser targets pigment in hair follicles; if your skin tone is too dark, the laser could misinterpret this as hair and burn surrounding tissues causing serious burns. Therefore, people should apply broad spectrum sunscreen with at least an SPF 30 rating on any exposed areas of their skin prior to any laser hair treatments.
Laser hair removal is safe and pain-free for facial use. Compared to shaving or threading, it leaves no prickly stubble behind and reduces time required for waxing or plucking treatments.
Laser hair removal does not completely prevent unwanted hair from growing back; however, it does significantly decrease its growth while rendering it thinner and lighter-colored. Many individuals who undergo laser hair removal remain hair free for years after treatment has finished; when hair does return it usually grows in much finer and softer than before.
Progresses in technology have made laser hair removal safe for more people who had previously been excluded due to having light or darker hair and skin. This has become an attractive alternative to more painful methods of hair removal like shaving and waxing that leave painful marks behind, leading to scabs or scars on skin conditions such as psoriasis or rosacea that require dermatology consultation before opting for laser hair removal.
