Laser hair removal is one of the best ways to get rid of unwanted body and facial hair. If you’re considering having it done, then it’s important to understand how it works, how long it takes to work, and what you can expect in terms of results and side effects before you commit to it. Here are six things you need to know about laser hair removal that will help you get the treatment you need while still protecting your wallet and skin!
1) An Introduction to Laser Hair Removal
If you’re looking for an effective, long-lasting hair removal option, laser hair removal might be just what you need. Here’s what you need to know about it: What is laser hair removal? There are a few different types of light and energy-based treatments that are commonly used for permanent hair reduction and/or elimination, including traditional IPL (Intense Pulsed Light), radiofrequency energy devices (such as ThermaClear or Thermola) and lasers. Lasers can be categorized by type of pigment in your skin: Alexandrite works best on darker skin tones; diode lasers work well on lighter skin tones. Each has its own pros and cons; diode lasers tend to be faster but require more sessions than other types.
2) How Does Laser Hair Removal Work?
The laser heats up your hair follicles, which damages their DNA and stops them from producing new hair. The process should be painless because you’re not really feeling it (though some people feel a pinch) and it can take multiple sessions to reach optimum results. For a more in-depth look at how laser hair removal works, check out our guide to LHR technology. There are three common types of laser hair removal: Alexandrite laser for lighter skin types with dark hair; diode laser for darker skin tones with dark or light hair; and Nd:YAG lasers for any skin type with any color of hair (but most popular). Some machines use more than one kind of laser beam at once.
3) Is It Safe?
One thing that can be a sticking point for many people is safety. We’re talking about lasers on our face, after all! Most of us want to make sure we’re not putting ourselves in harm’s way. The good news is that when it comes to laser hair removal, there is little risk of burning or scarring—as long as you go to a professional who knows what they are doing and follows recommended protocols. Also, it’s worth noting that results vary by skin tone (lighter complexions respond better), but things like laser type, number of treatments and your age (the younger you are when you start treatments, the better) will affect results as well. So why not give it a try?
4) What Happens During A Treatment?
There are many options available when it comes to laser hair removal. A dermatologist will help you choose what's best for your skin and hair type, but here's a general idea of what happens during treatment: First, a gel is applied to your skin to help loosen and soften hairs. Then, a laser emits light that penetrates into your skin, targeting dark pigment in your hair. When that pigment is absorbed by the laser beam, it's destroyed and takes with it any hair follicles or roots attached to them—the hairs fall out over time instead of growing back in. If you're ready for smooth-skinned and permanently hairless legs (or anywhere else!), laser treatments can help remove unwanted facial or body hair!
5) Which Areas Can Be Treated?
It's important to understand that laser hair removal treatments are not suitable for all areas of your body. It's best to speak with a technician at a reputable clinic and ask which areas can be treated. Commonly-treated body parts include: upper lip, chin, cheeks, neck, shoulders and underarms. Generally speaking though, you can treat any area where your hair is dark, coarse and curly (i.e., typically found on men). Common facial hair candidates include: mustache area and sideburns; laser removal is also suitable for removing sideburns (typically associated with beards) and leg stubble.
6) How Many Treatments Will I Need?
During each treatment, your esthetician uses a specialized laser to pass over your hair follicles. While that may sound relatively quick, it takes time to effectively destroy all of those individual follicles. On average, you’ll need around five treatments to completely clear an area like your face or legs. The more treatments you have, though, doesn’t mean a faster recovery time—you can have too much of a good thing when it comes to laser hair removal. If you see your esthetician every two weeks for four months and then stop after only having completed six sessions, hairs will start growing back in less than two weeks instead of four months.
Conclusion
If you’re looking for a fast, affordable way to get rid of unwanted body hair, laser hair removal is probably your best bet. The procedure has been around for years and is becoming increasingly popular with men and women who want to remove body hair quickly and permanently. While it’s not right for everyone, millions of people—both men and women—have been successfully treated. If you have dark skin or are planning on getting pregnant soon, it’s a good idea to go in for a consultation before having any treatments done. There are other drawbacks as well; when compared to other hair removal techniques like shaving or waxing , laser treatment requires more visits to achieve permanent results.