Laser hair removal is a popular procedure for removing unwanted hair. In most cases, people choose laser treatment to remove unwanted hair on their back, legs, bikini area, or underarms. It’s worth keeping in mind that laser hair treatments do not offer permanent hair removal. However, their results last longer than several other hair removal methods.
Usually, people need to undergo 6 laser hair removal treatments to get rid of unwanted hair. While the process is generally safe, some people notice side effects like skin discoloration, scars, burns, blisters, infections, etc.
Why is Laser Hair Removal so Popular?
Over the past few years, laser hair removal procedures have gained a great deal of popularity among women and men of different ages because of their effectiveness and safety. In the past, people had to undergo painful processes to remove their hair follicles, which didn’t guarantee favorable results.
Laser hair removal treatments, however, have an excellent success rate and can prevent future hair growth for long periods, although they do not guarantee permanent hair removal. Mentioned below is a list of reasons behind the increasing popularity of laser hair removal for different skin types.
The Process Is Pain-Free
Plucking and waxing used to be popular methods to remove all the hair from unwanted areas but they were quite painful for most people. Laser hair removal treatments, on the other hand, are incredibly pain-free.
The use of laser beams in these hair removal processes easily removes hair in their active hair growth cycle within a matter of minutes. While some people may experience redness or swelling afterward, the discomfort is barely noticeable and goes away within a few hours.
Ideal for the Long Term
Laser hair removal treatmentshair growth
The Technology Has Evolved
The last few years have seen a massive improvement in laser hair removal technology. Before, people had to undergo multiple hair removal procedures but now, four or five sessions prove to be sufficient. Thanks to the advanced laser hair removal technology available today, people can remove hair from different areas seamlessly.
Helps Improve Social Life
Believe it or not, some people have poor social lives simply because they don’t want to show up to parties or get-togethers with extra fuzz on their forearms, upper lip, bikini line, neck, and other parts of their bodies. Fortunately, laser targets all of these areas easily, removing unwanted hair quickly. It’s a massive reason behind the rapidly increasing popularity of laser hair removal procedures.
Principles of Laser Hair Removal
There are a couple of laser hair removal principles you need to know about before undergoing the procedure. Below is a close look at two of the main ones:
Selective Phototheremolysis
Selective photothermolysis is a type of microsurgery for targeting tissues in a particular area. The surgery works by heating up the tissue, and destroying it with a laser beam while making sure the surrounding tissue remains safe. The cells targeted in this microsurgery are destroyed from the transfer of energy and light absorption.
In contrast to other types of procedures, this one essentially targets an abnormal area, heating it up with the help of a laser and destructing it. In essence, photothermolysis uses light to destroy tissues in specific areas of the body and is a process often used by laser hair removal experts.
Initially, selective photothermolysis was created for hair removal but as time passed, experts used it for things like tattoo removal, clearing spider veins, treating acne, photoaging, and more. The laser pulses used in this procedure emit intense heat that targets hair follicles based on pigments, which is melanin in the case of hair removal.
Hair Growth Cycle
Hair growthnew hair
The anagen phase is the first stage of hair growth where treating your hair would be ideal. This phase lasts around three to five years and includes the hair on your head. Surprisingly, the anagen phase is different for every area. For instance, the growth phase for pubic and eyebrow hair is significantly shorter than that of the scalp hairs.
In the first phase, the hair follicles keep on growing until either you cut them, they fall out or their lifespan comes to an end. Since hair growth is active during the anagen phase, laser hair removal would be most effective during this period. This is because the hair roots are large, connected to the blood supply, and contain an ample amount of melanin.
During this period, your hair follicle is easy to spot above the skin, making it easy to operate on. Finding out the exact length of the anagen phase can be quite tricky but it often depends on the time it will take for that hair to grow. This could be around two to three weeks.
Laser hair removal is most effective on dark hair, a big reason why the Anagen phase is ideal for this treatment. Since the hair’s pigment is the darkest during this stage, transferring heat to the hair follicle is quicker and more efficient.
Also known as the transitional phase, the catagen phase is a short period period where hair growth stops and the hair follicle becomes small. After shrinking, the hair follicle detaches from the dermal papilla, which is responsible for supplying nutrients. The catagen stage is significantly shorter than the anagen phase and only lasts for 3 to 5 days.
This is the dormant phase of the hair growth cycle where your hair neither sheds nor grows. In this period, the hair isn’t connected to the papilla, which means that it doesn’t get any nutrition. The telogen phase is quite predictable and could last for a few weeks to years. Laser hair removal procedures in this phase only work if you undergo multiple treatments in order to spot hair during the anagen phase. In most cases, spotting the hair may be difficult during the first treatment, which is why you may need to attend multiple sessions.
Procedure Overview
Here’s a look at what happens before, during, and after laser hair removal procedures. it’s important to learn about the procedure to ensure you can look after yourself during and after the process.
Avoid Sun Exposure
Laser hair removalskin
No Waxing and Tweezing
You must avoid waxing and tweezing when going for laser hair removal treatments, as they can damage your follicle, which means that the laser will be unable to target the hair pigment, rendering the treatment ineffective. To make matters worse, you may even notice that the hair regrows quickly from these spots. Consider waiting at least one month after your waxing session before going for a laser hair removal treatment.
Be Mindful of Certain Medicines
Certain types of medicines could interfere with laser hair removal treatments. This is because of their potential to make your skin sensitive, increasing the likelihood of side effects. If you are undergoing hormone treatments or are taking blood thinners, acne products, products containing retinol, antibiotics, or blood thinners, make sure to inform your doctor prior to the treatment. It will help them decide whether you are fit for it or if you will need to wait, potentially saving you from experiencing adverse effects later.
Avoid Coffee and Alcohol
It is important to avoid drinking alcohol and coffee at least 24 hours before undergoing laser hair treatment. Drinking too much alcohol causes skin dehydration making the treatment quite painful. Similarly, excessive coffee consumption makes your skin sensitive, which is why it is best to avoid it before the procedure.
Shave the Treatment Area
While you shouldn’t pluck or wax before laser hair removal treatments, you must shave the treatment area a couple of days before the procedure. This is because shaving will not uproot your hair, which means that the laser will have no trouble targeting the pigment.
During the Procedure
People undergoing laser hair removal treatments need to keep some safety considerations in mind during the procedure. First off, they must prioritize eye protection by wearing protective eyewear to shield their retina from laser beam damage. It would also help to apply a cold gel in between treatments, especially on the treated areas. You can also ask the people in the laser room to apply a numbing agent or topical anesthetic if you feel discomfort from the light beam.
Remember, you may feel temporary discomfort during and after the treatment. However, it usually subsides after the first few hours. If the highly concentrated light used during the treatment causes excessive discomfort, you can ask the professionals to use a special cooling device during the next appointment.
Post Procedure Care
Once the laser treatment is over, you may notice some swelling or redness around the area treated. About 20 percent of your treated hairs will shed a couple of weeks after the treatment. It’s important to take post-procedure care seriously, making sure your treatment area is not exposed to unfavorable elements. You must avoid scratching or rubbing the area treated during the healing period. If you notice a crust forming, do not pull it off. Instead, let it fall off or avoid some aloe vera ointment 2 to 3 times per day to avoid irritation.
If there is too much swelling on the treated area, consider wrapping some ice on a soft, clean cloth and rubbing it gently for a few minutes. Patients can also address stinging or discomfort by taking Paracetamol. That being said, make sure to avoid Aspirin or Ibuprofen as they may react with the laser beam. It would be best to discuss your medical history with the experts before the treatment begins. This will allow them to prescribe the right medications and treatments for post-procedure care.
Other things you need to avoid after the laser treatment include indoor tanning equipment, any kind of tanning bed, hot baths, skin-lightening creams, hair color, etc.
Effectiveness and Results
Permanent Hair Reduction
Laser hair
Ideal Candidates
People with Dark Hair
In most cases, people with dark hair and light skin are ideal candidates for laser hair removal procedures. Unfortunately, however, people with other hair colors like red or blonde may notice some limitations. This is because lasers are unable to target these colors effectively, especially light-colored hair. Additionally, people with tans should wait for it to fade before booking a laser hair removal appointment. That is because this process is most effective for people with light skin.
Safety and Side Effects
Common Side Effects
One of the most common side effects of laser hair removal treatments includes irritation, temporary redness, and swelling. Fortunately, these effects do not last for too long and usually go away within a few days, if not hours.
Rare Complications
While laser hair removal treatments are generally safe, some people experience rare complications like pigmentation changes, scarring, and even burns. In most cases, you can avoid these issues by choosing a qualified and reliable practitioner with a reliable track record.
Benefits of Laser Hair Removal
Targets Hair Follicles with Precision
One of the biggest benefits of choosing this hair removal procedure is its high level of precision. It targets follicles with pinpoint accuracy while making sure that the surrounding skin doesn’t get damaged.
Time and Cost Efficiency
Choosing laser hair removal treatments can save you plenty of time compared to other processes. Plus, since this process is highly efficient, you will see favorable results within the first couple of sittings, saving you money as well.
Improved Skin Texture
A massive perk of laser hair removal treatments is that they can effectively get rid of ingrown hairs from the hair shaft, reducing the chances of issues like itching, inflammation, and bumps. This helps improve your skin texture to make it smoother, something that may not be possible with other methods.
The Side Effects are Minimal
Laser treatmentspainful side effects
Things You Can Do to Ensure the Best Results
A successful laser hair treatment depends on multiple things, like pre and post-procedure care. However, you also need to have an experienced doctor performing the treatment. One might think that laser hair removal is straightforward and can be done by everyone but that couldn’t be any further from the truth. Under the wrong or inexperienced hands, this process can be painful for the patient and result in dark spots, infection, blisters burns, and whatnot. Therefore, it is best to choose a board-certified, experienced dermatologist who can determine whether you would be the right candidate for the treatment and can execute the procedure without errors. .
Choose Donna Bella for Safe Laser Hair Removal
If you are looking for a safe and effective laser hair removal treatment, then consider giving Donna Bella Laser Med Spa a shot. We have the equipment and expertise needed to execute this process seamlessly while making sure you do not experience any discomfort. We believe in aesthetic excellence and go above and beyond to make sure that you leave our spa with a smile on your face. Our team consists of seasoned experts who know the ins and outs of safe and effective laser hair removal treatments.
These pros have helped a wide array of clients over the years and are familiar with the different requirements people come up with. If you want to schedule an appointment or want to find out if you can be a candidate for laser hair removal then please contact us. Our representatives will carefully listen to your requirements and will book an appointment with one of our experts.
