Laser hair removal is the most popular laser cosmetic procedure in the United States. Women and men alike are interested in a permanent form of hair reduction to relieve the time and hassle dedicated to their often daily ritual.
As a redhead, you may also be seeking a more permanent method of removing body hair. After some research, you too may have heard how effective laser hair removal can be in removing body hair and the impressive results it can deliver. However, depending on the density of your body hair and the color of your skin, you may not be a good candidate for laser hair removal techniques, even though there are other options like waxing, and Brazilian wax is an effective way to deal with unwanted hair.
“Laser’s work on contrast,” says Dr. Miriam Hanson, board certified dermatologist and cosmetic expert in Austin, Texas. “By singling out and targeting the pigment in the hair roots, the laser selectively destroys hair while avoiding damage to the surrounding skin.”
A laser may have a difficult time differentiating the color of your body hair and the color of your skin. Individuals with light skin and dark hair are the best candidates because the laser is absorbed by the dark pigment in the hair. Many redheads have blonde or red hair, making it difficult for the laser to remove hair with precision.
“Redheads may have a modest improvement in the reduction of their body hair with consecutive laser treatments,” says Emily Johnston, certified physician assistant at Sanova Dermatology. “However, there may be no guaranteed results, and what works for one particular redhead may not work for another.” Therefore, redheads often consider alternative methods for removing body hair:
- Shaving. Shaving is effective when it comes to removing hair, but you may need to shave on a regular basis for the best results. Make sure to use a moisturizing shaving cream and to shave with the grain of the hair to reduce the chance of cuts and ingrown hairs.
- Electrolysis. Electrolysis use a small probe that is inserted directly into the hair’s roots, effectively killing the hair follicle with electricity. Shortly after an electrolysis treatment, the hair will fall off naturally.
- Epilators may be effective – but use caution. Epilators may be in the form of a certain wax or a handheld device that helps remove hair from the roots. “Epilators can be painful for individuals with sensitive skin,” says Dr. Hanson. Epilators are more effective for isolated patches of hair.
- miraDry. miraDry uses microwave energy to destroy sweat glands in the skin, reducing the amount of sweating in the treated area by about 80%. Interestingly, studies have shown that this treatment can also permanently reduce hair in the treated areas, regardless of skin type and hair color. No hair, and no sweat! A welcomed side effect of this unique treatment. Experts like Enriched Aesthetics – Laser Hair Removal or this Laser Hair Removal in Franklin, TN can help you with hair removal and give you the best possible treatment.
