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The official start of summer is right around the corner, and for many, this means showing off some skin in shorts, dresses and bikinis. Feeling comfortable in that skin is essential, and hair removal can help you achieve confidence when you’re soaking up the sun. While waxing and shaving are two popular choices that often come to mind when it comes to getting rid of stubble, laser hair removal is another option to consider.
According to Mayo Clinic, laser hair removal is a procedure that uses concentrated lights, or lasers, to target and remove hair in certain areas of the body. The laser produces a light that gets absorbed by the pigment in the hair, which then heats and damages the hair follicle, preventing future growth. It’s a seamless process that can produce satisfactory results in just a few sessions.
So don’t waste your time, money and effort on razors and waxing products this summer – try laser hair removal instead! Here are a few ways to prepare for the treatment:
1. Come to your consultation with questions
Laser hair removal is designed to work for every patient no matter their color and type of body hair. You should, however, go into each session feeling confident that you see the results as expected. During your initial consultation, ask the dermatologist these questions, as advised by the American Academy of Dermatology Association:
- How many different laser treatments have you performed?
- How many treatments will I need to see results?
- What are the side effects?
- How much does treatment cost?
- How can I prepare for the sessions?
These questions can better prepare you for the first session and help you decide if laser hair removal is right for you.
2. Remove hair before the process
This might seem like a backward sentiment, but it’s important to remove the hair in the target area before your first session – but you can only shave, as advised Rachel Sharoff, a licensed esthetician.
“We ask that you shave the area you are treating beforehand so that the laser can penetrate into the root of the hair — not target or singe any hair on or outside the skin,” Sharoff told Good Housekeeping magazine. “You should not wax, tweeze, or bleach any hair one month before your session because the root needs to stay intact in order for the laser to effectively destroy the hair.”
Since laser hair removal takes a few sessions to show results, you may have to remove hair on your own before each session. Talk to your dermatologist about this during the consultation.
3. Protect your skin
You might be inclined to spend more time in the sun as summertime arrives, but most dermatologists advise against this before starting laser hair removal. Applying sunscreen is an absolute must to keep the skin protected. The AAD recommended using sunblock with at least SPF 30, and applying it every day before leaving the house.
Even sunless tanners can reduce your chances of achieving optimal results with laser hair removal, according to spa owner Christian Karavolas.
“Sunless tanners can reduce your chances of achieving optimal results with laser hair removal.”
“Self-tanners darken the surface of the skin which creates a competing target for the light energy of the laser — the other competing target being the color in the hair,” Karavolas told POPSUGAR. “By darkening the surface of the skin, more laser energy will be absorbed in the skin’s surface rather than at the base (bulb) of the hair follicle, which is where we want the light energy to be absorbed to result in a good treatment.”
If you use self-tanner and you’re considering laser hair removal, you should wait at least a month before your first session for your skin tone to fade out.
Get laser hair removal at Maryland Plastic Surgery
Are you ready to start your journey to smooth, hairless skin once and for all? The Medical Spa at Maryland Plastic Surgery can help you achieve your goals. We can safely remove all different kinds of unwanted hair from various skin types using our effective technology. During your consultation, we can discuss your wants and needs and help that soft bikini line, silky legs or other hairless areas with a few hair removal sessions.
Are you ready to transform into your most confident self this summer? Call us today to schedule your consultation. We look forward to helping you look and feel your best this summer.
