What You Should Know Before Getting Laser Hair Removal

What You Should Know Before Getting Laser Hair Removal

Nothing beats the sensation of perfectly smooth legs. Silky smooth legs and well-sculpted brows are must-have accessories for a day at the beach or a night out with friends. Unfortunately, this entails hours of shaving, waxing, and tweezing. Imagine not having to worry about your brows or bikini lines. Does not that sound like the stuff of fantasy?

That is possible with laser hair removal. These long-term treatments eliminate the need for time-consuming shaving and plucking, and they are less expensive than you might think.

But you have questions, which is fine. The first step toward a rewarding and successful experience is to have a solid understanding of what laser hair removal is and is not. To help ensure that your laser hair removal experience is just that, we have compiled a list of some things to think about if laser hair removal is on your summer maintenance list.

 

1. Not all hair types can be laser-treated.

Lasers today work by picking up the pigment in the hair. The darker the color, the better, especially if you have fair skin. Lighter hair colors, such as blonde, red, or grey, may lack enough pigment to be detected and targeted.

2. It is quick and relatively painless.

Most treatments last between a few minutes and an hour, depending on the size of the area being touched up. Furthermore, because the laser is used in short bursts, the initial pinprick of pain in sensitive areas quickly numbs, making the procedure tolerable.

3. Avoid exposure to the sun before your procedure.

While getting a tan is essential in the summer, it is not ideal for laser hair removal. When you tan, the pigment in your skin more closely matches that of the hair follicle, making the laser less detectable. Avoid the sun for a month before your procedure for the best results. As a result, laser treatments are most effective in the fall, winter, and early spring.

4. Do not tweeze or wax before your appointment.

The laser, once again, targets the pigment in the hair. Because the hair follicle is the best source of pigment, the procedure requires the presence of the follicle. Tweezing and waxing should be avoided for at least two weeks before your appointment.

Shaving, on the other hand, is perfectly acceptable. In fact, it may improve the success rate of your procedure, especially if you have fair skin.

5. Do not expect a 100% permanent hair removal result.

Experts refer to laser hair removal as permanent hair reduction. Regrowth is possible and occurs. Newer hairs that grow in are typically finer and lighter than older hairs, making them more difficult to detect visually. This makes the treatment worthwhile for many people, but expect to need touch-ups from time to time.

6. You will require more than one treatment.

Because the best time to hit the follicles with the laser is during an active growth phase, laser hair removal requires multiple sessions. This happens only once every six weeks or so.

Not all of your hairs will be active at the same time. The average person requires six treatments to achieve the best results.

7. Examine your medications.

Some medications can make your skin more sensitive to the laser’s beam, which can result in pigment changes or burns. Before your first appointment, go over all of your medications with your laser hair removal provider.