Everything You Need To Know About Laser Hair Removal

Laser hair removal is one of the most effective ways to remove hair from many different parts of the body. In addition to removing hair, it can also leave the skin smooth and free from other issues, such as ingrown hair. Getting laser hair removal done by a laser hair center can help you achieve smooth and hairless skin. While it may be right for many people, it is not right for everyone. Learning more about this procedure can help you determine if it may be ideal for you.

Reasons Why People Opt for Laser Hair Removal

The number one reason why most people opt for laser hair removal is because they are tired of trying to remove hair themselves. Shaving can help to remove hair from your legs, underarms or bikini area, but shaving can also irritate your skin or cause nicks or cuts. Waxing can be a good way to remove hair longer than shaving does, but waxing can be costly and time-consuming. And while there are other hair removal methods, each comes with its own set of downsides. People opt for laser hair removal because they get the hair removed and obtain long-lasting results.

The Parts of the Body That Can Be Treated With a Laser

Nearly every part of the body can be treated using a laser to kill hair follicles and prevent hair growth. If you have hair growth on your body that you are tired of treating or that you want gone for years to come, laser hair removal may be a good option for you. Some of the most common parts of the body that can be treated with a laser include:

• Legs
• Arms
• Underarms
• Facial hair
• Bikini lines
• Back hair

The Hair or Skin Types that Laser Hair Removal Can Be Completed On

One of the biggest misconceptions pertaining to laser hair removal is that there are limitations to the skin type and hair type that laser hair removal can be completed on. While it may take slightly longer to treat darker hair or darker skin complexions, a laser can be used to perform hair removal. However, there is one limitation to treatment. Many professionals recommend thinking twice before using a laser for treatment if you have skin conditions, such as rosecea or bad acne. The laser can irritate these conditions or even potentially worsen them.

What You Should Do Prior to Arriving For Your Appointment at a Laser Hair Center

Prior to arriving at a laser hair center for treatment, you will have a consultation with a hair removal professional. During this consultation, a professional will ensure you understand how laser hair treatment works and what to expect. They will also provide you with specific arrival requirements. Some of the most common requirements include shaving prior to your appointment and removing all make-up and lotions from the part of the body that is going to be treated. You should cease waxing or plucking a few weeks prior to treatment and only shave. This helps to ensure the follicle is not disturbed, making laser hair treatment more effective.

What to Expect During Laser Treatment

Laser hair removal is a relatively fast treatment. In fact, most people are treated in 20 minutes or less. However, if you are having a large portion of your body treated, such as the full leg, or you are having multiple parts of your body treated, your treatment may take longer. It is also important to note that laser removal can be slightly uncomfortable. Many people equate the treatment to a prickling or stinging sensation, though you may feel different things based on the part of the body being treated and your skin type. You can take acetaminophen, more commonly known as Tylenol, for the pain before or after treatment. However, you should always avoid taking ibuprofen or aspirin.

What to Expect Post Treatment

Once your treatment is completed, you will be able to leave immediately. You may experience some mild discomfort after laser hair removal and that is completely normal. To reduce any sort of laser hair removal pain, you should avoid doing certain tasks, such as going to the gym and getting hot and sweaty for 24 hours after treatment. You should also avoid going out in direct sunlight for 24 hours after treatment. You should also avoid using harsh skincare products, including scrubs, retinol cream or products containing glycolic acid for 48 to 72 hours after you have received hair removal treatments. It is also important to note that you may experience minor redness, small rashes or even breakouts in the area where you were treated. This is completely normal and nothing to be concerned about.

The Number of Treatments That May Be Needed

Another common misconception about having your hair removed at a laser hair center is that it is a one-time treatment. This is not the case. Most people need to get anywhere from four to eight treatments to completely eliminate hair from a specific body part. The darker your hair is, the more treatments you can expect to undergo. When you are going through laser hair removal, it is important to keep all of your appointments. Your appointments are made based on the follicle and hair growth rate. Skipping treatments or putting treatments off may increase the overall number of treatments you need or reduce the quality of the results you experience.

Whether Laser Hair Removal is Permanent

Laser hair removal is not permanent. Hair can start to grow, even after laser hair removal is completed. For most people, the results last several months to several years. However, if your hair does start to grow back, it will likely be lighter and less coarse than it was before. Having additional treatments completed when hair starts to reappear is the best way to remove the unwanted hair that is starting to grow back. Unfortunately, there are a number of factors that affect whether your hair will grow back and how quickly it will grow back, including your hormones. As such, there is no way to know how long your results may last before hair starts to grow again.

If you are tired of having to shave, wax or use other hair removal methods, laser hair removal may be the ideal way for you to remove hair from your body for years to come. Contact us at Flawless Skin Center to learn more about the procedure or call us at (818) 848-2288.