If you're not satisfied with shaving, waxing, or tweezing to remove unwanted hair, laser hair removal may be an option worth considering. Lasers are useful for removing unwanted hair from the face, leg, chin, back, arm, armpits, bikini line, and other areas. Lasers can selectively target dark and rough hairs while leaving the surrounding skin intact. During laser hair removal, a laser emits a light that is absorbed by the pigment (melanin) in the hair.
The energy of light is converted to heat, which damages the tube-like sacs inside the skin (hair follicles) that produce hairs. This damage inhibits or delays future hair growth. Depending on the size of the handpiece being used, several hairs can be treated simultaneously. Each laser pulse takes a fraction of a second and can treat many hairs at the same time.
Small areas, such as the upper lip, can be treated in less than a minute, and large areas, such as the back or legs, can take up to an hour. Most patients have permanent hair loss after an average of three to seven sessions. Laser hair removal is more than just “removing” unwanted hair. It is a medical procedure that requires training to perform it and carries potential risks.
Before having laser hair removal, you should thoroughly check the credentials of the doctor or technician performing the procedure. If you plan to undergo laser hair removal, you should limit hair removal, waxing and electrolysis for six weeks prior to treatment. This is because the laser targets the roots of the hair, which are temporarily removed with wax or by waxing. You should also avoid sun exposure for six weeks before and after treatment. Sun exposure makes laser hair removal less effective and increases the likelihood of complications after treatment.
Depending on the laser or light source being used, you and the technician should use appropriate eye protection. It will also be necessary to protect the outer layers of the skin with a cold gel or a special cooling device. This will help the laser light penetrate the skin. When the procedure is complete, you may be given ice packs, anti-inflammatory creams or lotions, or cold water to relieve any discomfort. You can schedule your next treatment four to six weeks later. You will receive treatments until your hair stops growing.
For a day or two afterwards, the treated area of skin will look and feel like it has been sunburned. Cold packs and moisturizers can help. If your face was treated, you can wear makeup the next day, unless your skin blisters. During the following month, treated hair will fall out. Use sunscreen for the next month to help prevent temporary changes in the color of treated skin.
Blisters are rare but are more likely in people with darker complexions. Other possible side effects include swelling, redness, and scarring. Permanent scarring or changes in skin color are rare. Request a consultation to get a better idea of the cost of your particular case. I also started using facial mists and added additional moisturizers to my regimen as my skin dried. It is recommended that for a period of 2 weeks before and after the laser, you avoid chemical peels and similarly wait 1 to 2 weeks before using fake tan. A laser removes hair by vaporizing it.
This causes small plumes of smoke that have a sulfur-like odor. You'll likely see results right after treatment. Results vary from patient to patient. The color and thickness of the hair, the area treated, the type of laser used, and the color of the skin affect the results. You can expect hair reduction between 10% and 25% after the first treatment. To remove hair most patients need 2 to 6 laser treatments.
After finishing treatments most patients do not see any hairs on the treated skin for several months or even years. When hair grows back there tends to be less and they tend to be thinner and lighter in color. When the doctor activates the laser beam will pass through the skin to reach into each individual follicle where it will vaporize it from within. If you have a skin reaction immediately after laser hair removal your doctor may apply a steroid cream to affected area. Most dark skin types especially African Americans believe they are not good candidates for laser hair removal treatments but there are no large studies that compare effectiveness of these devices compared to laser hair removal performed in doctor's office. From waxing to threading and shaving to tweezers but laser hair removal is one of most popular methods for removing unwanted body hair permanently. When I read that 90 percent of laser hair removal patients who are good candidates for procedure report permanent hair loss after an average of three to six sessions I was sold. Several laser hair removal treatments are needed for initial hair removal and maintenance treatments may also be needed. Next you'll discover clear facts and uncover all your myths about lasers from laser that triggers hair growth (rarely) to having avoid sun exposure (always).It is important that you understand all aspects of this procedure before deciding if it is right for you so that you can make an informed decision about whether this is right for you.
