What do I need to know before getting laser hair removal? 10 Important things
What is laser hair removal? Is laser hair removal safe? Is laser hair removal permanent? If you have questions about laser hair removal, we might have answers for some of them.
Suppose you’ve had enough of shaving and waxing, as well as all the problems and hassles that they bring. In that case, you may well have considered laser hair removal as a possible alternative.
Do people say that laser hair removal is a pain-free and permanent way to get smooth, hair-free skin, but is it as straightforward as it might appear to be?
If you are thinking about trying laser hair treatment, then here are ten essential things that you should know before you attempt a laser hair removal.
1. Laser hair removal only works on dark hair
Laser hair removal works by firing pulses of light at the hairs, which breaks down the dark pigment in the follicles called melanin. This means that the less pigment you have in your hair, the less effective laser treatment will be, so laser hair removal won’t work for people with blonde or white hair.
2. Laser hair removal is not guaranteed to work
Laser hair removal's efficiency varies from person to person. There's no assurance that it'll work in your case. Suppose you do an entire course of treatment, which is usually about five treatments.
In that case, the average reduction in hair growth is in the region of 70% to 80%. Some people do experience 100% effectiveness, and they never have to shave again. Still, other people also find laser hair removal ineffective.
3. You shouldn’t have laser hair removal treatment if you have dark skin
Because laser hair removal works by breaking down the pigments in the hair, if you have dark skin, it can discolor or damage your skin. Even a tan can cause skin discoloration, so plan if you plan on laser hair treatment and make sure that you don’t have a tan on the day you go.
4. It is not painless
Laser hair removal is not painless; you get a stinging sensation when the puling light hits your skin. The degree of pain varies, depending on how sensitive your skin is. It can be more painful on the more sensitive areas of your body.
Some people describe the pain as being similar to what you would experience if someone snapped a rubber band against your skin. It is advisable to take a couple of painkillers about half an hour before you go for treatment.
5. It takes some time to complete a course of treatments
Suppose you are planning to use laser hair removal in preparation for a big occasion. In that case, you will need to leave yourself plenty of time.
It takes multiple sessions for laser treatment to have any effect, and you have to leave several weeks between treatments. You are looking at several months to complete a whole course of treatments.
6. Be careful where you get laser hair removal done
You can get hair laser removal treatments from many different types of establishments, but be careful about how you choose the place to get your treatment carried out. There are some dangers involved in laser treatment, and a qualified esthetician or a physician should carry it.
Just like any cosmetic procedure, if you use a cheap, backstreet operator, you run a higher risk of something going wrong.
7. What are the side effects of laser hair removal?
The side effects of laser treatment are generally mild. You might experience redness of the skin, some swelling and itching and mild discomfort for a few days after the treatment. In rare cases, patients have experienced blistering and skin infections after they have undergone laser hair removal. So, it’s worth stressing that you should be careful where you get your laser hair removal done.
8. Is laser hair removal expensive?
Depending on the part of the body that you want to be treated, laser hair removal can cost anything between $200 and $2,000 for every single session.
However, you have to compare that with the cost of repeated, more frequent waxing sessions that you would need to get the same effect.
9. There are different types of laser
Not all lasers are equal, and a specific type of laser will suit your skin type. If the person operating the laser can’t tell you which kind of laser should be used for your skin type, then you are in the wrong place!
10. On what areas of the body will laser hair removal work?
Hair laser removal treatments will work on any part of the body. The most common areas that laser hair removal is used are the legs, underarms, bikini, and arms.
The larger the area, the longer the treatment will take and, the more sensitive the skin, the more painful it will be.
Have you ever tried laser hair removal?
Stay beautiful!