Laser Hair Removal: A Comprehensive Guide To Smooth Skin
Maya Adivi • May, 2023
Laser Hair Removal: A Comprehensive Guide to Smooth Skin
Maya Adivi • August, 2023
- Laser Hair Removal Side Effects and Risks
- Can You Have Laser Hair Removal While Pregnant?
- Does Laser Hair Removal Hurt?
- Electrolysis vs. Laser Hair Removal
- How to Prepare For Laser Hair Removal
- What to Know Before Getting Underarm Laser Hair Removal
- Laser Hair Removal Pre & Post Treatment Care
- How To Treat Laser Hair Removal Burns
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Shaving is a hassle, waxing hurts, and sometimes it seems like no matter which hair removal technique you choose, you still end up with ingrown hairs or red, irritated skin. That’s where laser hair removal comes into play!
Laser hair removal is a light-based technology that helps zap hair right at the root, preventing hair growth for lasting smooth skin. In this guide, you’ll learn everything you need to know about this amazing treatment.
Table Of Contents
- 1. The Benefits Of Laser Hair Removal
- 2. Laser Hair Removal: How Does It Work?
- 3. Is Laser Hair Removal Suitable for All Skin Types?
- 4. The Laser Hair Removal Procedure
- 5. Home Hair Removal Devices
- 6. FAQs
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The Benefits of Laser Hair Removal
So why is laser hair removal so great, anyway? It goes far beyond other hair removal techniques, so here are its main benefits.
- Lasting results: The main benefit of laser hair removal is its longevity. The effects of laser hair removal are long-lasting, totally eliminating or at least minimizing your need for other hair removal treatments. There’s a period of maintenance and effort, but once the laser’s effects take hold, you won’t really need to worry about unwanted hair anymore.
- No downtime: The procedure itself can sting a little, but once you finish a session, you can return right back to your daily life with minor to no side effects.
- Fast treatment: Appointments are surprisingly fast, and today’s modern machines can treat large body areas quickly. While you will need a series of appointments, they’re easy to fit into most lifestyles. If you choose to do laser hair removal at home with an IPL device, it’s even more convenient!
- You can keep shaving: One of the major issues with other hair removal methods like waxing or electrolysis is that you have to grow your hair out in between appointments. With laser, on the other hand, you can keep on shaving in between appointments, allowing you to wear whatever you want without worrying about visible hair.
- Prevents ingrown hairs over time: If you’re prone to ingrown hairs, laser hair removal slowly but surely solves the issue completely. You may have a few ingrowns after your first few appointments, but as the effects kick in, bumps will become a thing of the past.
- No more razor burn: Razor burn is a common issue for those with sensitive skin. If your skin often gets irritated, you’ll be happy to know that since laser hair removal is frictionless, it comes without such risk, especially once it takes full hold.
Laser Hair Removal: How Does It Work?
Laser hair removal is a clever technology. The powerful light targets the hair follicle by identifying the color difference between the root of the hair and the skin. It zaps the root of the hair directly, and the light energy converts to heat. This process damages the hair follicle, which prevents hair from regrowing. Over time and with regular treatments, laser hair removal can eventually stop most hair from regrowing.
Is Laser Hair Removal Suitable for All Skin Types?
Yes, laser hair removal can be done on all skin types including sensitive skin. However, it’s important the skin is in good shape during treatment, without any irritation or sensitivity in the treatment area.
Where it gets complicated is with phototypes (i.e., skin tones). Laser hair removal relies on the difference between skin color and hair color in order to identify the hair follicle. Some devices are designed to penetrate deeper, so they can work on all skin tones, while others are only appropriate for those with light to medium-deep skin types.
The Laser Hair Removal Procedure
If you’re interested in laser hair removal, here’s what you need to know about the process, including prep and aftercare.
Prep
Before undergoing laser hair removal, it’s important to make sure you’re a good candidate and to find out about contraindications. It’s generally not recommended for anyone who is pregnant or nursing, has certain autoimmune conditions, or has active rashes, lesions, or sores in the treatment area.
It’s also important to avoid products or medications that might make your skin more sensitive to light, such as oral or topical retinoids. Speak to your doctor if you’re not sure about something you’re taking or whether you’re a good candidate for laser hair removal.
Once you decide you'll get laser hair removal, avoid sun exposure and self-tanners since your skin needs to be at its lightest color.
Then, the day before doing laser hair removal, make sure to shave all of the areas you’d like to treat.
Come to your appointment with your skin clean, without any lotions, makeup, or deodorant. Wear something comfortable and flowy, so that your skin can “breath” after the treatment. For example, if you’re treating your legs, avoid tight leggings.
Treatment Process
During laser hair removal, your provider will apply a gel to the legs to keep them cool and hydrated. Then, they'll begin the treatment by turning on the machine and slowly going over the treatment area. In some cases, they might use a gliding motion or pulses depending on the type of device. Once they finish treating the entire area you’d like treated, that’s pretty much it! They might apply more of a cooling gel, and provide you with aftercare instructions, and that’ll be it!
Does laser hair removal hurt? The level of pain is really different from person to person and device to device. It may feel hot, like a mild sting, or it might not feel like anything at all! Many laser hair removal machines have cooling features that also help make the process more tolerable.
Aftercare
After the treatment, it's important to keep the skin protected from the sun, and avoid using harsh products, since you’re going to be at a higher risk of burn or irritation. Your provider might recommend keeping the skin moisturized with a soothing lotion or aloe vera.
For a few days after treatment, you’ll also want to avoid other habits that might cause sweating or increase your risk of irritation. That includes heavy workouts, going to the sauna, or dipping into a hot tub. You’ll also want to wear comfortable, loose clothing for a day, especially if your skin is showing any signs of irritation.
Home Hair Removal Devices
Usually, we think of laser hair removal as a professional treatment, but did you know you can also do it by yourself at home? If you're ready for smooth skin but don’t want to leave the house, pick up the Eversmooth, Evertone’s affordable IPL hair removal device.
Home devices are usually gentler than what is used at salons, and they work based on IPL which stands for Intense Pulsed Light. Because of the lower intensity, you can use IPL once a week at first, and then slow down frequency once you achieve your desired results.
The main benefit of home devices is that they often cost the same as a single professional laser hair removal treatment, but they allow you to treat yourself from the comfort of your own home as often as you wish. They may require more sessions in total, but since the treatments can be done more often, results often show within a similar timeframe!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How Many Laser Hair Removal Sessions Are Required?
The number can vary widely. Some people see results in as little as three treatments while for others it can take upwards of ten. It's hard to predict, but hormonal factors come into play as well as the specific body part being treated.
Can Laser Hair Removal Remove White or Gray Hair?
No. Laser hair removal only works on darker hair. It cannot be done on white, gray, blonde, or red hair.
Are the Results of Laser Hair Removal Permanent?
While laser hair removal is classified by the FDA as “permanent hair reduction”, its results are not necessarily permanent, although they are very long-lasting. Generally, laser hair removal leads to a dramatic reduction in hair growth that usually lasts for years after the initial series of treatments. That said, regrowth is possible, and many professionals recommend yearly maintenance touch-ups.
Maya Adivi
Maya Adivi is a freelance writer with over a decade of experience working in the beauty industry. Before becoming a writer, she worked as a makeup artist and facialist with expertise in performing a broad range of advanced treatments. She champions an evidence-based approach to beauty, prioritizing real data over buzzwords or myths. She brings that love for science and research when writing for Evertone.
Maya Adivi
Maya Adivi is a freelance writer with over a decade of experience working in the beauty industry. Before becoming a writer, she worked as a makeup artist and facialist with expertise in performing a broad range of advanced treatments. She champions an evidence-based approach to beauty, prioritizing real data over buzzwords or myths. She brings that love for science and research when writing for Evertone.