Laser hair removal may be a viable option to consider if you’re not satisfied with shaving, tweezing, or waxing to get rid of unwanted hair.
One of the most popular cosmetic procedures in the U.S. is laser hair removal. It directs intensely focused light at the hair follicles. Light is absorbed by the pigment in the follicles. The hair is destroyed as a result.
Benefits of Laser Hair Removal
The face, leg, chin, back, arm, underarm, bikini line, and other areas can all benefit from laser hair removal. And the total price of laser hair removal is $200 to $1,600.
Benefits of laser hair removal include:
Precision. Lasers can precisely target coarse, dark hairs while causing no harm to the surrounding skin.
Speed. The laser can treat multiple hairs simultaneously with each pulse, which lasts just a fraction of a second. Every second, the laser can treat an area roughly the size of a quarter. Small areas, like the top of the lip, can be treated in under a minute, while larger areas, like the back or legs, could take up to an hour.
Predictability. The majority of patients experience permanent hair loss after an average of three to seven sessions.
How to Prepare for Laser Hair Removal
More than simply “zapping” unwanted hair is involved in laser hair removal. It is a medical procedure that requires training to perform and carries potential risks. Check the credentials of the doctor or technician performing the procedure in-depth before getting laser hair removal.
You should avoid waxing, electrolysis, and hair removal procedures for six weeks before your laser hair removal procedure. The laser specifically targets the hair roots, which waxing or plucking temporarily remove.
Additionally, you should limit your time in the sun for six weeks both before and after treatment. Sun exposure reduces the efficiency of laser hair removal and increases the likelihood of treatment-related complications.
What to Expect During Laser Hair Removal
Your hair that will be treated will be cut just prior to the procedure to a few millimeters above the skin’s surface. Typically, a topical anesthetic is applied 20 to 30 minutes prior to the laser procedure to lessen the sting of the laser pulses. The laser equipment will be adjusted based on the color, thickness, and location of the hair being treated as well as the color of your skin.
You and the technician must wear appropriate eye protection depending on the type of laser or light source being used. It will also be necessary to use a cold gel or other type of specialized cooling device to protect the top layers of your skin. This will help the laser light penetrate the skin.
A light pulse will then be applied to the treatment area, and the technician will then watch the area for a while to ensure that the best settings were applied and to look for any negative reactions.
You might be given ice packs, anti-inflammatory creams or lotions, or cold water after the procedure to relieve any pain. You may schedule your next treatment four to six weeks later. The treatments will continue until the hair stops growing.
Recovery and Risks
For a day or two afterward, the treated area of your skin will look and feel like it’s sunburned. Moisturizers and cool compresses might be beneficial. You can put on makeup the following day if your face received treatment, barring blistering of the skin.
Over the next month, your treated hair will fall out. For the following month, wear sunscreen to help prevent any short-term changes in the color of the treated skin.
Though they are uncommon, blisters are more likely in individuals with darker skin tones. Swelling, redness, and scarring are additional potential side effects. Permanent scarring or changes in skin color are rare.
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