Hair Lasering

If you have been considering the pros and cons of the laser hair removal process, you’ll be interested in what this article has to say. That is especially the case if you’ve been using another procedures like waxing, depilatory creams, exfoliation, or electrolysis. It is certainly time to think seriously about the benefits of laser hair removal.

First, be aware that the treatments take a bit of time. If you want to have hair removed from a large area such as your chest, back or legs, it will probably not be possible to do it in just one session.

But also be aware that the laser process results in permanent hair removal. That is a very important consideration, because the actual time spent on treatments has to be weighed against the time spent day in or day out using other non-permanent methods such as shaving, depilatory creams, or waxing. All of these require regular repeat treatments because as soon as you remove the hair it starts growing back almost immediately.

Also be aware that compared to electrolysis – the other relatively popular permanent hair removal treatment – laser hair removal is much faster. Why? Because electrolysis requires a hair-by-hair, follicle-by-follicle treatment. A thin probe is inserted into each follicle which is then zapped with an electrical current strong enough to damage the follicle so it will no longer regenerate hair.

A similar process takes place with laser hair removal, but it happens much more quickly. A gentle, specially designed “laser” light source is passed over the treatment area. The light passes through the skin and only interacts with more darkly colored follicles. The follicles are heated by the light, and as with electrolysis, they are impaired so they are no longer able to regenerate hair.

This speed factor has a direct bearing on the cost. When it comes to removing hair from large areas of the skin there is really no comparison between laser removal and electrolysis. In such cases electrolysis is a slow and methodical process that will inevitably be stretched over months of expensive treatments. Laser removal, on the other hand, will take far fewer treatments, and will therefore cost much less.

Treatments on smaller patches of unwanted facial or pubic hair can be done in even less time. In many cases these treatments can be finished by a skilled technician in about 10 or 15 minutes.

When deciding on the most appropriate hair removal process for you, the best advice is to consult with a reputable provider who can evaluate your skin and hair type and recommend the best course of action. You may also want to have a test area done, especially if your service provider recommends it.

If you’re considering laser hair removal treatment, you may be scared at the thought of a laser beam entering your skin. Laser hair removal is actually very safe and effective, and many patients report that it is not overly painful. However, be sure to ask lots of questions before agreeing to the procedure. Your doctor should help you understand how the laser hair removal procedure will work, as well as what to expect in the days after your procedure.

When you come in for your laser hair removal appointment, a nurse or technician will trim your hair with a pair of scissors. You can also shave the area the day before the treatment, but do not shave it that morning. Do not wax, pluck, or otherwise remove hairs by their roots in the weeks preceding the treatment, because this will make the lasers completely ineffective.

Before the laser is used on your skin, a cooling gel will be applied. This gel will protect your skin from the laser beam, allowing the laser to pass safely through so it can disable the hair follicles.

During your procedure, the doctor and you will both wear protective glasses so the laser beam cannot enter your eyes. Then, a hand held laser device will be held to your skin. The doctor will send laser pulses into your skin. Each laser pulse removes a section of hairs. During this procedure, you may feel a slight stinging sensation, but it should not be too painful. A small area, like the upper lip, will take just ten to fifteen minutes. A larger area, like the legs, may require up to two hours.

After the session, the skin in the treated area will likely be red and a little swollen. This should subside in a day or two; your doctor may give you aloe gel or anti-inflammatory creams to help during this time. You can also ice the area. In the next two to three weeks, you should notice shedding of the treated hairs. Exfoliating the treated area can help to speed up this process.

After your first treatment, schedule a few follow-up sessions, spaced about four to six weeks apart. Laser hair removal is only effective against hair follicles that are in the active growth phase; not all of these follicles will be in this phase at any given time. Several treatments are required to catch all of the hairs in the active growth phase. After each procedure, there will be less and less hair in the area. After a few sessions, you should have long-lasting hair removal. However, months or years in the future, you may find need for further treatments. Laser hair removal disables, but does not completely destroy, the hair follicles.

Women usually start removing unwanted hair from an early age – teenagers are doing it, young women are doing it, middle aged women are doing it, even those who have lived longer are doing it.  Women are removing facial hair, hair from their legs, their underarms and some are either removing totally or partially, their pubic hair. And this is now absolutely normal.  It has to do with how you see yourself and how you feel.

In general terms there are two types of hair removal methods – each with different options. One is removing hair at skin level and this is known as depilation.  The options here include shaving, cutting or even scraping. The second is removing hair from below the skin (epilation).  The expression “by the roots” best describes it.  This includes plucking, tweezing, waxing, and in our more modern age, electrolysis and laser hair removal. This last one, laser hair removal, is a recent invention and is increasingly popular.

Laser hair removal is a method that shoots a beam of light under the skin, hitting the hair follicles and eliminating them through heat.  As it targets the dark pigment of the hair, it is a very good alternative for people with light skin and dark hair.  This doesn’t mean that others can’t apply it; what it does mean is that those with these characteristics are the best subjects.

Typically it is applied to legs, under the arms, upper lips, chin and bikini lines – though obviously it can be applied over all the body.

What is not recommended is near the eyes since a beam of light that generates heats is being used.

What can you Expect during a laser hair removal session?

1. That you are supplied with goggles to avoid accidental exposure.

2. You shouldn’t be surprised to smell burnt hair.

3. Times will vary according to the area where you are applying the treatment. The larger the area the longer the sessions. Every individual hair has a growth cycle, but this cycle can and many times is different from adjoining hairs.  This explains why more than one session is usually required as it depends at what stage of the growth cycle the individual hair is and whether it may or not have been lasered.

Some after treatment recommendations are:

a. Avoid exercise as perspiration can cause skin irritation.

b. Be very careful to avoid direct sunlight for several weeks as the ultraviolet rays can darken and leave unsightly blotches.  This also includes avoiding tanning booths.  Use sun screens (the higher the better).

c. Don’t pick or scratch your skin and allow it to recover.

Hair removal as everyone knows has been practiced for centuries.  The different methods have different advantages and at the same time different disadvantages.  Shaving for example must be done continuously and can cause cuts and nicks, it can also cause ingrown hair and skin rashes for some people. And yet it is widely used as it has other advantages to many people.

Other methods, such as lasering, have much longer periods of hair free results.

At the end of the day the choice is very personal and should be based on how each individual feels about the costs, the end results (including the period of hairlessness), our comfort and self image, the ease of use and potential after effects.