Laser Hair Removal is an Effective, Affordable, Simple Process – Here’s the Deal
Summertime always brings thoughts of baring more skin. For many, this means worrying about pesky hair growth on areas like the legs, back, and bikini line. If you’re looking for a long-term solution to hair removal, laser hair removal may be a good option for you.
Read on to learn more about how laser hair removal works, the different types of lasers available, and what you can expect from treatments.
How Laser Hair Removal Works
Laser hair removal uses a concentrated beam of light to target the pigment in hair follicles. The heat from the laser damages the follicle and prevents future hair growth.
Most people will need several treatments to achieve desired results. The number of sessions needed depends on the individual, but usually ranges from 4-8 sessions spaced 4-6 weeks apart.
Types of Lasers Used in Laser Hair Removal
We can split the type of lasers used in hair removal into ablative and non-ablative. Ablative lasers strip a portion of tissue around the hair follicle, while non-ablative lasers work by heating the tissue without removing it.
Ablative lasers are more aggressive, and typically provide better results, but come with a greater risk of side effects like pain, redness, and swelling. Non-ablative lasers are less likely to cause side effects but may require more treatments to achieve desired results.
Other types of laser hair removal treatments include Alexandrite, Ruby, Diode, IPL, and Nd:YAG lasers.
Benefits of Laser Hair Removal
Laser hair removal can provide many benefits, including:
Permanent Hair Reduction
Permanent hair reduction is a major benefit of laser hair removal. The laser beam targets the pigment in the hair follicle, damaging the follicle and preventing future hair growth. Most people will need several treatments to achieve desired results, but once they’re achieved, the results are usually permanent.
Precision
The laser beam used in laser hair removal is highly precise and can be targeted to the individual hair follicles. This allows for more accurate targeting and removal of hair. It also reduces the risk of side effects.
Safety
Laser hair removal is a safe and effective way to remove unwanted hair. The procedure is FDA-approved, and has been used for over two decades. Laser hair removal is considered much safer than other hair removal methods, such as waxing, shaving, and tweezing.
Quick Treatment
Traditional methods of hair removal, such as shaving and waxing, can be time-consuming. Laser hair removal is a quick and easy way to remove unwanted hair in a short amount of time. Most treatments take less than an hour to complete.
What to Expect from Laser Hair Treatment
Before treatment, you will meet with your doctor or another medical professional to discuss your goals and expectations. They will also assess your skin type and hair growth to determine the best course of treatment.
You’ll likely be asked to shave the area a day before your visit. This reduces the hair that’s above the skin.
Most people report little pain during laser hair removal treatments. A numbing cream may be applied to the treatment area to help reduce discomfort. After treatment, the numbing usually goes away within a few hours.
Following laser hair treatment, you’re advised to stay out of the sun for several weeks. Every time you go out in strong sunlight, you should wear an SPF30 or higher sunscreen. You should also avoid using any skin creams designed to lighten or darken your skin apart from any that are prescribed by the doctor.
For a month after you have laser hair treatment, you should avoid any other hair removal methods. Things like waxing, plucking, and electrolysis should be avoided as they will disturb the hair follicles that were treated.
Final Thoughts
Most people will require between two and six treatments to see the results they want from laser hair treatment. Each treatment needs to be spaced out, so you’ll likely return to the clinic once a month, or once every two months for six months to a year. For treating areas where hair grows more slowly, such as the back, each treatment might be spread out up to once every four months, so while laser hair treatment is effective, it can take quite some time to complete an entire treatment.
Laser hair removal is a safe and effective way to remove unwanted hair. The procedure is quick and easy, and most people only need a few treatments to achieve desired results. If you’re looking for an alternative to traditional hair removal methods, laser hair removal may be a good option for you.
