Laser Hair Removal
We have a love-hate relationship with hair. Everyone wants a gloriously full head of hair and long, lustrous eyelashes, but much of the hair south of our cheekbones is debatable at best and entirely unwelcome at worst. That’s why the hair removal industry is doing such a booming business. Shaving, waxing and plucking are all popular methods to de-fuzz, but each has definite drawbacks.
Laser Har Removal
- Shaving. Cheap? Yes. Easy? Not really. You have to navigate delicate areas using a sharp blade, and stubble returns almost immediately. What’s more, you probably don’t want to think about how much of your life you spend with a razor in hand. Even if you only dedicate 10 minutes, three times a week to shaving your legs, that adds up to half an hour a week or 26 hours a year—more than one whole day!
- Waxing. Let’s get right to the main drawback: the “ouch” factor. Every four weeks or so, either you or a paid professional rips out body hair by the roots. And you have to grow out the hair to about a quarter inch before it can be waxed, so you’re out of luck if you want to be bare during the lengthy re-growth stage.
- Plucking. It’s a great method for a stray eyebrow or two, but anything over one square centimeter is too much real estate to make it practical. And as with the other methods above, it’s a temporary fix, so you have to keep those tweezers handy for the rest of your life.
Laser hair removal is a method that permanently rids you of unwanted hair, which is why it’s a wildly popular treatment. Imagine never having to shave your legs or underarms, wax your bikini line or pluck embarrassing facial hair. It gives you the freedom to throw on whatever you want (or bare smooth skin for that special someone!) without considering whether you’ve shaved. Plus, you’ll save untold hours and a significant amount of money by giving up those temporary hair removal methods.
It’s no secret that laser hair removal makes life easier. But to assist you in deciding whether it’s right for you, we’ve put together some information to help you understand how it works, what it can (and can’t) do and what to expect from the sessions.
ABCs of Laser Hair Removal
As its name suggests, the process uses a laser to send a pulse of energy to the skin, destroying the follicles’ ability to produce hair. Because hair grows in cycles, most people need six or more treatments over a period of months to ensure hair is zapped no matter when it enters a growth cycle.
There are several different types of lasers approved for hair removal, depending on your skin type and physician preference. Most lasers work best on people with light skin and dark hair. The reason? Lasers actually target pigment, so you want the light energy to be absorbed by the pigment in the hair, rather than the surrounding skin. With lighter skin and darker hair, the crucial beam of energy is concentrated on the hair. There are six skin types traditionally identified by doctors to assist them in determining the right laser for each client. So if you have darker skin, rest assured that you may still be a good candidate.
In addition, laser hair removal is most successful on coarse, rather than fine, hair. Fine hairs—on a woman’s upper lip, for example—can be permanently removed through electrolysis, which is also recommended for any fine hairs that remain after laser hair removal is completed.
Almost any part of the body that has dark, coarse hair is a candidate for laser hair removal. At Peers Cosmetic, we offer laser hair removal for the following areas: legs, bikini, arms, underarms, back, chest and face.
What to Expect Before, During & After
You’ll need to give up waxing, plucking and any other removal methods that pull hair out by the roots about a month and a half before your first laser appointment, as well as throughout the process. Then a day or two ahead of the appointment, you’ll be asked to shave the area to be treated so the laser’s energy goes toward the follicle, rather than being wasted on hair above the skin.
One of the most frequently asked questions about laser hair removal is whether it hurts. The short answer, unfortunately, is that it can be uncomfortable. The good news: Because the sensation is different than waxing—almost like a rubber band snapping against the skin, rather than hair being yanked out at the root—most clients say it’s preferable to waxing. And while many people don’t need it, a topical anesthetic is available if you’re hesitant.
During treatments, the laser tackles an area about the size of a nickel with each pass. So sessions can actually go relatively quickly, depending on how large an area is being treated. Underarms take only a matter of minutes, while a larger area such as the back or legs can take up to 90 minutes.
Hair begins to fall out within a week to 10 days after each treatment; any hair that’s left after about three weeks will need to be retreated. Clients should come in for a repeat session when new hair begins growing in, which for most people is two to three months after the last treatment. During the initial weeks after a session, you can help the hair shed faster and more uniformly by gently exfoliating the area when you bathe.
It’s normal to experience some redness, itching and swelling following a laser session. It’s rare—and a sign of improper laser usage—for the treated area to develop scabs or for skin to take on a purplish hue or get lighter or darker in color. Choosing an experienced, qualified professional for your laser treatments is a good way to reduce the likelihood of these adverse side effects.
Laser hair removal is a quick, easy, proven method that can improve your quality of life substantially. Though no one can guarantee it will remove every strand of unwanted hair, it can give you remarkably smooth skin for life. So what are you waiting for? Make a smooth move today!
