Considering Laser Hair Removal? What You Need To Know

Are you fed up with shaving or waxing? Have you noticed that waxing and shaving only causes your hairs to grow back even more coarsely, or do you frequently experience side effects like folliculitis or skin rashes after removing your hair in more traditional ways?

Technology has now advanced to the point where nearly everyone is a candidate for safe and permanent hair removal! Imagine never having to shave your armpits or legs — ever again! Before you ask "cool, where do I sign up?", though, you probably have some questions. 

How Does Laser Hair Removal Work?

Laser hair removal treatment uses concentrated pulses of light to damage the hair follicles in such a way as to prevent further growth, while leaving the surrounding skin intact. Each laser pulse, which takes a mere fraction of a second to deliver, targets numerous hairs at once. A session to remove armpit hair, for instance, takes as little as 20 minutes.

As a general rule, people seeking complete and permanent removal of the hairs of a particular area of the body will require between two and eight treatments. That is because laser hair removal treatment is only truly effective during the growth stage of the hair growth cycle.

Numerous different laser hair removal techniques are available. They are, at a glance:

• Pulsed Light or IPL laser: The machines used to deliver this treatment vary in quality, yet offer the widest range of light out of all the different methods. IPL laser treatment is best suited for people with lighter skin tones.
• Diode Laser: Penetrates the hair follicle deeply and effectively, making it a very popular choice.
• Nd: Yag: These lasers currently hold popularity with dark-skinned people seeking laser hair removal. Whether they facilitate true permanent hair removal is unknown at the moment.
• Ruby: Currently thought to carry the highest risk of side effects including skin pigment changes in people who do not have extremely light skin.
• Alexandrite: Again, mostly used for the treatment of very light-skinned people.

Prior to deciding on laser hair removal, you will want to explore the type of laser best suited for your particular skin with your dermatologist in detail.

READ Get Clear, Clean Skin With Laser Treatments

What Areas Of The Body Are Suitable For Laser Hair Removal?

The lasers specifically designed to facilitate hair removal can safely treat most areas of the body. Do you want to be rid of the hair on your upper lip, chin, or other areas of the face? You are in luck! The legs, arms, armpits, bikini area, and back can all be targeted as well, along with the chest and shoulders. While large areas can be treated during one session, laser treatment is targeted enough to enable dermatologists to focus solely on very small portions of the body as well.

Questions You Want Answered Prior To Laser Hair Removal

Does Laser Hair Removal Hurt, And What Are The Side Effects?

Have you been waxing or epilating the hairs you would like to have removed permanently thus far? If you have, the pain level you'll experience when you go for your laser hair removal sessions will not surprise you in the least. You may even find that laser hair removal hurts less than your normal hair removal technique!

If, however, shaving has been your go-to hair removal method all along, you may find laser treatment slightly uncomfortable. You're likely to experience a zapping sensation that feels unpleasant but not downright painful.

How To Prepare For Your Laser Hair Removal Sessions

Prior to your first and subsequent hair removal treatments, you will need to follow your dermatologist's instructions to the letter. They'll typically include:

• Not engaging in any form of hair removal, including shaving, six weeks prior to treatment. In order for the roots of your hair to be targeted properly by the laser, they need to be present!
• Not tanning or using fake tan for six weeks prior to treatment. The lighter your skin is during your sessions, the easier the treatment will be. People having facial hair removed should be very diligent about using sunscreen with an SPF instructed by their dermatologist prior to treatment.
• Taking antibiotics and/or antiviral medications prior to treatment in accordance with your doctor's instructions.
• Wearing loose clothing made of natural fibers when you head to your appointments.

What To Expect During And After Laser Hair Removal

When you arrive at your appointment, your skin will be cleaned and your hairs trimmed down to the length of a few milimeters. You will be given special glasses to wear during the session to protect your eyes and the laser will be adjusted to your particular pigment before the session begins. You may be offered an anesthetic cream. Having your back or legs treated will take the longest: up to an hour and a half. Smaller areas of skin may take as little as 10 minutes to cover in a single session.

After your hair removal session, you can expect — depending on the type of laser used — to see some redness, inflammation, and blistering. There may be a slight change in the pigment of the treated area of skin, which should be temporary if the right laser was chosen. Again, follow your dermatologist's instructions and apply ointments and cool compresses.

READ Laser Procedure Promises To Cure Cellulite In One Treatment

Will I Be Hair Free Forever After Completing The Recommended Amount Of Sessions?

The results you will get with laser hair removal treatment are immediately apparent. With each session, you'll be increasingly smooth and will notice that less and less hair grows back. Will you be completely hair free forever, though? You may not be. Most hair removal lasers remove up to 90 percent of hair on the covered area permanently, while a remaining 10 percent can periodically grow back. It is for this reason that most dermatologists will recommend an annual maintenance treatment, which you may or may not find you need.