How Does Laser Hair Removal Work?
Unwanted body hair can be diminished or removed without surgery using laser hair removal. Over one million laser hair removal procedures were carried out in the United States in 2016, of the most well-liked and least invasive cosmetic procedures.
When seeking a method to efficiently decrease or eliminate hair from both large and small areas of the body, persons with excess body hair may find it to be a helpful solution.
PROCEDURE FOR LASER HAIR REMOVAL
The treatment area is cleaned by a medical specialist (a doctor, physician assistant, or registered nurse) before the procedure. Applying numbing gel may be necessary if the area is susceptible. In addition, everyone in the room must put on specialized safety glasses during the process to safeguard their eyes from laser harm.
After the numbing gel starts to work, the medical expert directs a beam of intense light at the target region. The length of the process increases with the size of the area you want to treat. While more significant areas, like the chest, can take an hour or longer, more minor parts may take a few minutes to complete more minor components. Some individuals describe a cracking or stinging sensation akin to a sunburn. For example, a sulphurous smell may come from the smoke puffs when the laser light causes the hair to evaporate.
PREPARING FOR LASER HAIR REMOVAL
Before your consultation, your doctor should provide you with detailed preparation advice. Adhering to these guidelines can increase the procedure's effectiveness and lower the risk of adverse effects. Here are some specific suggestions:
During the days leading up to the treatment, avoid the sun; laser hair removal should not perform on tanned skin.
Do not irritate the skin.
Avoid waxing and plucking your hair.
Avoid using anti-inflammatory medications that, like aspirin, may cause more bleeding.
You shouldn't do the operation if you have a cold sore or bacterial skin infection that is still active.
May also advise: A skin-bleaching agent for use in the treatment area if you have dark skin.
AREAS TARGETED BY LASER HAIR REMOVAL:
Back
Shoulders
Arms
Chest
Body cavity
Legs
Neck
Middle lip
Chin
IN WHAT WAY DOESL ASER HAIR REMOVAL OPERATE?
Laser hair removal uses concentrated light to remove hair from the skin's hair follicles—tiny cavities from which hair grows. Due to the laser's attraction to the melanin pigment in the hair, the laser is absorbed by the hair follicle, causing the hair to vaporize quickly.
People with dark hair and light complexion are the best candidates for laser hair removal because darker hair absorbs the laser more effectively due to the pigment in the hair drawing the laser to it.
Dark-skinned patients often require treatment with a particular kind of laser that can detect hair against their skin.
Since the laser can't focus on non-pigmented hair well, those with light hair are less likely to be good candidates and less likely to get dramatic effects. On the other hand, blonde, gray, or white hairs are unsuitable for laser removal.
Negative effects? There are very few severe side effects from laser hair removal. The most frequent negative consequences include: swelling, redness, Skin sensitivity and pain. After the treatment, they usually go away within a few days. However, you should speak to your doctor if your symptoms don't go away.
WHAT TO ANTICIPATE WITH LASER HAIR REMOVAL?
Most patients may resume their everyday lives immediately following the treatment, with very little recuperation time. However, wearing sunscreen after the operation is just as crucial as wearing it before. It will lessen annoyance moving forward.
After the operation, you might anticipate seeing fewer hairs in the treated area. For example, increasing hair growth in the treated area might be seen two to eight weeks following laser hair removal. It is a result that certain hair follicles respond to the laser in various ways. For example, most individuals see a 10 to 25% hair reduction after the initial treatment. Permanent hair loss often occurs after three to eight sessions. Therefore, you'll have a better sense of how many therapy sessions you might require after the evaluation with your specialist before the operation. To preserve impact, you probably need a touch-up session once a year.
How many treatments will I require? You'll probably need between six and eight laser hair removal treatments. The average time between sessions is six to eight weeks. It can capture more hairs at various stages of growth thanks to this timing.
How long after a laser hair removal procedure do the results last? Following the initial treatment, most patients have a 10% to 25% reduction in hair growth. However, you may not get new hair growth for several months or even years following all of your treatments.
Does permanent laser hair removal exist? Not permanent hair removal. Treatments might not be able to reach all hairs that are actively growing. Although it usually grows back lighter and thinner than before, some hair will cause regrowth.
Can everyone get laser hair removal? Anyone with excessive body hair is eligible for laser hair removal. In most cases, it is a cosmetic procedure. It could enhance your look or sense of self. Numerous folks also appreciate not having to shave frequently.
Who should not undergo laser hair removal? Before getting laser hair removal, see your healthcare physician. If you:
Are pregnant?
Are you using specific drugs, such as treatments for acne?
Possess genital herpes (HSV-2) or are prone to cold sores.
Have keloid scars (raised scars).
Have or have had skin cancer.
When carried out properly, laser hair removal is safe and effective for most people. Unfortunately, there's no guarantee that undesirable hair will remain gone forever, and it may take multiple treatments to remove it altogether.
Minor side effects, including redness, swelling, and irritation, are frequently curable at home for some patients after treatment. A physician should be seen by anyone who notices the skin disease warning signs.