What To Know About Permanent Laser Hair Removal
If the traditional shaving methods bring you more nuisance than satisfactory results, then it’s time to look into permanent laser hair removal.
Laser hair removal is a medical procedure that uses a concentrated beam of light that destroys the hair follicles.
When we think about the options for hair removal, the most accessible ones are shaving, tweezing, or waxing. These remove the hair only above the surface, and the result only lasts a few days or weeks.
Are you interested in trying another approach to your unstoppable hair growth? Then continue reading to find out all you need to know about laser hair removal.
Is Permanent Hair Removal Attainable?
Possibly the first thing you need to know when considering laser hair removal is that the procedure isn’t permanent. When the hair follicles are being heated, this stops new hairs from growing back. The hair follicles are dormant for a longer period in comparison to shaving or waxing.
After the follicles heal, the hair grows back much lighter but unfortunately, it isn’t permanently removed. Yet, with every treatment, the hair becomes finer and thinner until it’s permanently gone.
Maintenance is a key factor as well and your clinician could talk you through your options. Most people need between four and six laser therapy sessions but it varies from person to person.
According to Mayo Clinic, hair color and skin type influence the treatment. People with light skin and dark hair tend to get better results because the pigment of hair should absorb the light, not the other way around.
Laser treatments for lighter hair are still being developed so you don’t need to worry if your hair is gray, red, or blonde.
What to Expect From Laser Hair Removal?
The laser devices for hair removal are used by dermatologists on most body parts. AAD considers that laser hair removal can be used in the following areas:
- Face, (upper lip and chin)
- Legs
- Back
- Bikini area
- Chest
- Underarms
- Neck
- Shoulders
The benefits of using laser hair removal are permanent hair reduction and smoother skin. Laser hair removal encourages the hair to grow straight and so the annoying issue of ingrown hairs and irritated skin is eliminated.
Another great thing about laser hair reduction is the precision and the speed of the treatments. It only takes a fraction of a second for each pulse of the laser to treat a bigger area. On the upper lip, the treatment could last less than a minute and on larger areas up to an hour.
The success of the treatment depends on you as well. First of all, you need to be patient because it takes up to three weeks after the treatment to start seeing results, and 8-12 weeks for the full result.
Being consistent with your appointments is crucial for the final results as well.
Do’s and Don’t’s After Laser Hair Removal
Stay out of the sun and tell your clinician if you are planning a holiday in the future. Sunbathing or tanned skin are not good friends with laser hair removal. The same applies to saunas, hot showers, or going to the gym.
Laser hair removal is considered safe but you need to keep in mind that for a day or two after the treatment, your skin will look like it was sunburned. You can use cool compresses, moisturizers, but always apply sunscreen the first couple of days after the treatment.
Other side effects are swelling, scarring, and redness. Blisters may also appear but people with darker complexions are more prone to them.
Laser hair removal is a great invention and can give you a lot of freedom, especially during summertime. Having to shave every day is no fun. Not to mention the irritating skin or ingrown hairs.
With patience and commitment, you can obtain smoother skin with a minimum of effort from your side. But we, at Arcadia Wellness Center, are here to help you obtain smoother skin with every appointment.
