All There is to Know About Laser Hair Removal
Women swear by laser hair removal, and for good reason! This medical procedure permanently removes unwanted and unsightly hair from almost anywhere on the body. Treatment is not only effective, but there are very few side effects. After several lasering sessions, you will never have to worry about waxing, shaving, or sugaring again.
If you’re looking for a permanent solution to getting rid of hair, keep reading to see the benefits of permanent hair removal and how to prepare for your treatment for best results.
How Laser Hair Removal Works
Hair is removed via a concentrated beam of light from a laser. The light is absorbed by the melanin, or pigment, in the hair and converted to heat. By damaging the hair follicles within the skin, new hair growth can be permanently stopped.
During your treatment session, the targeted area will be marked, and depending on the type of laser, a cooling gel may be applied to protect the skin. Your technician will use a hand-held laser to charge the light beam into the skin. Small areas, such as the upper lip, will only take a few minutes to treat. Large areas, such as the legs, may take up to an hour.
As hair grows through a cycle, several sessions of laser treatment are recommended in order to get rid of every hair follicle. Each treatment is performed about once a month to allow enough time for hair growth in between. Six sessions are ideal for treating any area permanently.
Fortunately, most places provide package options for six sessions! Contact us to learn more about our special package pricing.
Is Laser Hair Removal Right for Me?
Because the laser is attracted to melanin, the darker the hair, the better. Grey and white hair may not be easily picked up by the laser. Requiring even more sessions than usual. In addition, your hormones play a huge role in hair growth. We believe it is important to get those balanced before investing in permanent hair removal. Otherwise, there’s a small chance hair will grow back after treatment.
Good Areas for Laser Hair Removal
Laser hair removal can be done virtually anywhere on the body, with the exception of the eye area.
The most common areas treated with permanent hair removal include:
- Chin
- Upper lip
- Cheeks
- Sideburns
- Neck
- Head
- Lower and upper legs
- Bikini area
- Full arms
- Underarms
- Shoulders
- Entire back
- Chest
- Nipples
- Cleavage
- Abdomen
- Hands and fingers
- Feet and toes
How to Prepare for Laser Hair Treatment
1. Stay out of the sun
Refrain from tanning or using tanning products several weeks prior to your treatment sessions. The increased pigment in your skin will force the laser to target (and burn) your skin rather than the hair follicle. Stay out of the sun as much as possible, and get your sessions done during the wintertime if you can. This way, you don’t have to worry about sun exposure as much as you would in the summer.
2. Don’t start new medications or supplements
If you plan on getting treatment in the future, don’t take antibiotics, Accutane, and other sun-exposure sensitive medications or supplements at the same time. These can unintentionally cause the laser to have a negative reaction with your skin.
3. Shave right before treatment
Ideally, you want no hair on your body so that the laser can fully target the follicle, rather than the actual strand of hair. The night before or the morning of treatment, take a steam shower to open the follicles and encourage the hair to grow. Then, exfoliate away any dead cells so that you can get the smoothest shave possible. Regardless of where you’re getting treatment done on your body, do not tweeze or wax these hairs. Otherwise, you may pull out the entire root and the laser will miss that follicle.
4. Don’t use skin products
Don’t apply any skin products such as creams, lotions, serums, deodorants, and so on, to your skin for up to 24 hours before your session. These products can clog your pores and make it difficult for the light rays to penetrate the skin and reach the follicle.
Post-Removal Tips
Keep comfortable
Immediately after treatment, you will want to wear comfortable clothing. Loose clothing is less likely to rub against the area and cause further irritation, so be sure to avoid tight-fitting clothing a few days after treatment. The area may be a little red and sensitive afterward, which is completely normal and goes away within a day or two.
Avoid too hot or too cold water
Don’t shower in water that’s too hot and can cause further burning, or water that’s too cold and irritates the area. In addition, don’t go swimming or use a sauna and steam room at least a few days after treatment.
Wear sunscreen
Most importantly, be sure to wear sunscreen on any areas that may be exposed to the sun. Use an SPF product that is non-comedogenic and won’t clog your pores, such as ZO Skin Health, a line of medical-grade skincare which can be purchased in our office.
Shave only
Just as it’s important to shave before your treatment, you also should be shaving in between sessions as well. Again, avoid tweezing, waxing, sugaring, and any other alternative methods to shaving. You want the hair root intact so that it can be treated in the next session. Between your first few sessions you will see some hair growth as the hair is cycling through, so continue to steam, exfoliate, and shave for optimal results.
Get Started with Permanent Hair Removal
Are you dreaming of the day you never have to shave again? Get started with laser hair removal at Aqua Vitae. Our laser hair removal technicians are here to guide you through the entire process to ensure max benefits!
Schedule a consultation with our team to discuss the number of sessions you will need, our process, and other tips for getting laser hair removal.
