What You Should Know About Laser Hair Removal

Best Laser Hair Removal Langley is a non-invasive treatment that uses pulses of light to destroy the hair follicle and prevent future hair growth. It is most effective on dark hair with a noticeable contrast against skin tone, and not so much on white or grey hair.

Laser Hair Removal

It is important to limit plucking, waxing and electrolysis for six weeks before the treatment as this helps the laser reach and disable the hair follicles. A numbing gel may be applied before the procedure to help reduce any discomfort.

Laser hair removal is a safe, effective method for permanently reducing the amount of unwanted hair on your body. It eliminates the need for shaving, waxing, threading, creams and other hair removal methods that can be painful, time consuming and expensive.

The laser light emitted by the laser passes through your skin and is converted to heat within the hair follicles, which disables them. This prevents hair from growing back and results in smooth, hair-free skin. A series of treatment sessions is required to achieve the best results, and six to eight weeks should pass between each session. If you develop any complications after your laser hair removal, such as hyper- or hypo-pigmentation, contact the practitioner who performed the procedure for advice.

It’s important to avoid sun exposure on any areas treated for a few weeks after laser treatment, especially if you have dark skin. Instead, use a high SPF sunscreen on any exposed skin after your treatment. It’s also a good idea to moisturize the area frequently to keep it from becoming too dry.

Before laser hair removal begins, your doctor will review your medical history and examine the target areas to ensure that you’re a good candidate for the procedure. They will also explain the procedure in detail and answer any questions you may have.

During your appointment, your technician will apply a numbing gel to the treatment area, which helps minimize any discomfort. The laser machine blows cool air on the treatment area as it works to reduce any discomfort that you might feel. Most patients find that laser hair removal is less painful than waxing and much less painful than shaving.

Hair growth cycles have three stages: anagen, catagen, and telogen. Hair in the anagen stage is in a prime location for laser treatment as it’s close to the surface of the skin and in a visible phase. The laser can target the hair follicle and damage it without damaging the surrounding skin, which makes this the ideal treatment phase for laser hair removal.

After undergoing laser hair removal, many people do not see any further hair growth on the treated areas for months or even years. When the hair does regrow, it tends to be finer and lighter in color.

Safety

In the hands of a professional, laser hair removal is very safe. It does not cut into the skin, unlike shaving and waxing, so there is no risk of infection. However, there are some things you should know before undergoing the procedure.

First, you will need to shave the area where you plan to have laser treatments. This is to ensure that all the hair is at the same length, which helps the procedure work more effectively. You should also avoid tanners and other skin bleaching products for a few days before your treatment.

You should also wear protective eyewear during the procedure. The light energy emitted from the laser can damage your eyes if it reaches them without protective lenses.

Additionally, you should not have this procedure done if you are pregnant. The risk of fetal damage is too great.

Lasers are used in medical procedures to treat conditions like kidney stones and genital warts, but there’s not enough safety data on cosmetic uses in pregnancy. Most doctors advise against the treatment because of the potential risks to unborn children.

It’s important to get a medical history review before getting any type of laser treatment. This can help the doctor determine if you have any preexisting conditions that might prevent the procedure from being effective, such as psoriasis or sunburns. The doctor will also review your medication and tell you what to expect during and after the procedure.

During the laser hair removal process, the patient sits in a reclined position while the technician moves the handpiece across the skin. The laser’s light energy heats the hair follicle and disables it from growing more hair. It is important to follow all of the instructions given by the technician. You will likely need to have between 4-6 laser hair removal sessions for the best results. After your final session, the hair that regrows will be thinner and lighter in color than it was before. Some patients will require maintenance treatments to keep the unwanted hair away. These maintenance sessions will be shorter than the initial treatments.

Side Effects

Laser Hair Removal is a safe and relatively pain-free procedure when done by an experienced practitioner. However, it may take multiple treatments to remove all unwanted hair and prevent it from growing back. The treated hairs that do grow back are often finer, lighter and less noticeable than before.

A person who wants to have laser hair removal should first consult a dermatologist or another health care provider to make sure the treatment is appropriate for their medical condition. The doctor will note any previous health problems or medications the patient is taking. They will also ask the person to shave the area to be treated. This is because shaving allows the laser light to better target the hair follicles, says Dr. DeRosa. A person should also avoid using sunless skin creams or waxing the area for several weeks before the treatment.

Once the area is shaved, the doctor will press a hand-held laser instrument against the skin. They will likely use a cooling device on the tip of the laser or a cool gel to protect the skin and reduce the risk of side effects. They will then activate the laser to send a beam of light through the skin to the hair follicles, where it damages them and inhibits their growth. During this process, the skin might feel like a series of warm pinpricks or the sensation of a rubber band snapping against the skin.

After the laser beam has been activated, it is important to stay out of sunlight for a few hours or longer, depending on the area of the body being treated. Some people might also experience itching or a slight burning sensation, but these are usually not serious and should disappear within a few hours of the treatment.

A person who has had laser hair removal should avoid exposing the treated area to the sun afterward, because sunlight can increase the chances of complications such as hyper-pigmentation (brown spots), hypo-pigmentation (white spots) or burns. They should also avoid any other treatments that might damage the skin or disrupt the hair follicles, such as chemical peels, electrolysis, or waxing.

Cost

Unlike shaving, which shears hair above the skin, and waxing or plucking, which removes hair by the root, laser treatments permanently damage the melanin in the hair follicle and prevent the regrowth of unwanted hair. The result is smoother, softer, and lighter body hair, resulting in a more comfortable and desirable appearance. It’s also a less-expensive alternative to other hair removal methods over time, and can help reduce the occurrence of ingrown hairs.

Before your first laser treatment, you’ll need to shave the area to be treated and wear goggles to protect your eyes during the procedure. A numbing gel may be applied if the area is especially sensitive. Once the area has been numb, the practitioner will use a handpiece with a series of laser pulses to vaporize unwanted hair. The pain you experience during the treatment is typically mild and only lasts for a fraction of a second. Some people compare it to the feeling of a rubber band snapping against your skin.

Once the laser treatments are complete, the area will be moisturized with a soothing lotion and you’ll be free to go about your day. You can expect the results to last up to several years, though you’ll need to keep your skin protected from the sun (and avoid sunless tanning) to prevent unwanted pigmentation changes and maintain the integrity of the treated areas.

Laser hair removal is a safe, effective method of permanent reduction of unwanted hair on the face and body. If you’re ready to ditch the razor and stop wasting your money on expensive shaving creams, waxing kits, and sunless tanners, schedule a consultation with us today!