Laser hair removal is a safe, effective way to rid unwanted body hair while alleviating associated skin issues such as folliculitis, pigmentation problems and razor bumps. Furthermore, this procedure eliminates the need for depilation such as shaving, waxing or plucking.
Before any procedure begins, a specialist applies topical anesthetic cream to numb the skin and ease discomfort during treatment. You may feel as if an elastic band snaps against it against your skin – and may take up to an hour in duration.
Qualifications
Laser hair removal is a popular cosmetic service, yet not all technicians are certified to offer it. In order to be qualified for practice, technicians must first undergo extensive training courses and pass state-mandated exams. Training courses provide tools and techniques for safe and effective laser hair removal services and may be found online or through beauty schools/cosmetology programs.
To qualify for laser hair removal training, the following qualifications must be fulfilled.
Communication skills are paramount to being an effective laser hair technician. You should be able to convey information clearly in nontechnical language while exuding confidence during consultation sessions and answering client queries and providing recommendations for treatment plans.
Laser hair removal technicians must possess excellent communication skills as well as careful consideration when administering treatments to clients, which includes identifying skin characteristics and selecting an appropriate laser instrument before tracking its efficacy throughout sessions. Furthermore, it’s crucial that they follow safety regulations set by industry bodies.
Some states mandate estheticians and beauty professionals acquire an esthetician license before engaging in laser hair removal services, while other states simply require certification from a laser hair removal program or restrict such practice only to medical professionals like physicians or physician’s assistants.
Though most clients experience only minimal discomfort from laser hair removal, some individuals can be more sensitive to it. Preparing clients for their procedure and encouraging them to forgoing waxing, plucking and tanning prior to their appointment can help prepare them and reduce any side effects from treatment.
Laser hair removal technicians should have knowledge of the Fitzpatrick scale, which categorizes different types of skin. The scale explains how skin color can influence response to sun exposure and other treatments like laser hair removal. A technician may use this scale during skin tests to ascertain which settings would be most suitable for each client.
Laser hair removal may provide a permanent solution to unwanted hair, but clients should understand that results may take several treatments before being visible – be prepared for this commitment before beginning treatments.
Techniques
Laser hair removal works by using a concentrated beam of light to target individual hair follicles in the skin and cause them to vaporize, leaving behind undamaged tissue. Doctors can use laser treatment on large areas of the body including face and leg skin without damage to surrounding tissue; it’s fast, convenient, pain-free alternative to shaving or waxing that usually doesn’t cause discomfort; topical anesthetic may be applied prior to starting laser hair removal treatments to further decrease any pain associated with it.
Laser treatment works best on hair follicles that contain melanin pigment, making the darker than their surrounding skin tone hairs stand out more. That is why individuals with dark hair and light skin make ideal candidates for laser treatment; waxing may be better suited for treatment for blonde or gray hair types that do not absorb laser energy as efficiently.
If you are considering laser hair removal, it is essential that multiple treatments are undertaken. Since hair growth cycles include three distinct phases – anagen (growing), catagen (transitional), and telogen (loss), multiple sessions must be administered in order to reach all follicles at various points within their cycle.
As part of your treatment session, you’ll wear goggles to shield your eyes from the laser light. A doctor or assistant may shave the area that needs treating as needed. Tweezing, plucking, waxing or sunbathing should also be avoided prior to and post laser therapy sessions.
Once hair removal has taken place, follow-up treatments at four to six-week intervals are needed in order to sustain its results. The number of treatments needed depends on several factors including where and how often hair grows back; your doctor can provide an estimate during an initial consultation as to how many treatment sessions will be required.
Laser hair removal is typically not covered by health insurance unless medically necessary; however, you could potentially use funds from your flexible spending or health savings account to pay for the procedure.
Preparation
Prior to scheduling laser hair removal treatment, it’s crucial that you take steps to prepare your skin. One simple preparation measure is refraining from waxing or plucking for at least four weeks prior to your appointment; this ensures laser treatment reaches every hair root without interference, providing optimal results with minimum discomfort. Shaving is also advised as this allows the laser to focus on pigmented follicles rather than surrounding darkened skin cells.
Before your treatment appointment, it is also essential that the area you plan to treat remains out of direct sunlight for two weeks prior. This is to prevent damage or discoloration that might result from sun exposure following laser hair removal sessions and could also increase chances of irritation, blistering or scarring from tanning beds and self-tanners. Tanning could even compromise effectiveness by interfering with laser hair removal sessions – and could even increase risks such as irritation.
Consultations with qualified practitioners are the ideal way to start laser hair removal treatment. They will review your medical history, the process, cost and what to expect from treatment, including allergies or health concerns that might interfere with it, medications taken and supplements taken as they could alter results of treatment.
Initial laser hair removal sessions may feel similar to having rubber bands snap against your skin or suffering a sunburn, depending on which area is being treated. Prior to beginning treatment, your practitioner will apply topical anesthetic or cooling gel before covering your eyes with protective goggles before passing their laser over targeted skin area – most patients need four to ten treatments spaced four to ten weeks apart for optimal results.
Though laser hair removal is typically considered cosmetic, private insurance providers may cover it for certain medical conditions. For instance, if you are an adolescent suffering from acne or genital herpes, laser treatment could help ease symptoms with minimal cost to them and their parents.
Results
Laser hair removal offers an effective and permanent solution for unwanted body hair. Unlike traditional methods like shaving, waxing and creams that need regular maintenance to work, laser treatments destroy hair follicles preventing future growth – this life-altering procedure is fast, safe, and relatively pain-free.
Laser treatments offer many benefits to hair removal: face, legs, bikini area, chest and underarms can all be targeted with laser hair removal laser treatments can eliminate depilation need and grooming time spent on grooming or waxing appointments are significantly decreased; in addition laser treatments provide skin benefits including reduced pigmentation problems as well as smoothening complexion appearance.
Laser hair removal treatments often take multiple sessions before patients see results. The amount of treatment sessions necessary can differ between individuals as some areas tend to grow hair faster than others, and patients with thicker or darker locks or skin may require more sessions than those with thinner strands or lighter complexions.
At each treatment session, a specialist uses laser hair removal technology to target individual hair follicles. As the laser beam passes over the skin and targets pigmented areas of skin, its light hits hair follicles that have stopped producing hair; once destroyed they no longer produce more. Most patients find their hair has become thinner after having undergone laser hair removal treatments.
Some patients may experience redness or swelling following laser treatment, which typically resolves within hours with cold compresses, aloe vera gel or over-the-counter topical medications.
Patients considering laser hair removal should meet with a physician to discuss their individual concerns, the costs associated with laser treatment and financing options available to them.
Before undertaking laser treatment, it is crucial that people refrain from engaging in activities like sunless tanning and spray tanning that could inhibit its effectiveness. They should also avoid hair removal methods like plucking and waxing which may disrupt natural follicle cycles; in addition, those taking blood-thinning medication should not undergo this form of therapy.
