Beauty

fuzz free

EXPLORING LASER HAIR REMOVAL

How many hours a year are spent shaving in the shower or laying on a table having hot wax ripped off? While laser hair removal is a process, what you’re really buying is time. By the end of your sessions, you can cancel the wax sessions and ditch your razor! In this article, we’ll explore what laser hair removal is and what to expect if it’s on your list of beauty treatments this year.

Laser hair removal is a medical procedure during which a concentrated beam of light is used to remove hair. The light emitted from the laser is absorbed by the pigment in your hair (the melanin) which damages the hair follicles. This damage inhibits or delays future hair growth.

Depending on the location, you’ll need six to twelve treatments to see full results. The most common treatment locations are legs, armpits, upper lip, chin and the bikini line. Laser hair removal is not recommended for the eye or eyebrow area so don’t ditch your monthly brow wax.

So what can you expect? First, do your research. Laser hair removal should always be done by a qualified professional. Schedule a consultation and discuss risks, benefits and expectations. Never be afraid to ask questions. It’s also important to be honest with your medical history and any medication use. Your hair removal specialist will tell you if your hair is not suitable for this treatment. In some cases, it can actually stimulate more growth. This is why that initial meeting is so important. Lastly, take before and after pictures to help track your progress.

Before your treatment, you’ll be asked to stay out of the sun and not use any lotions, deodorants or makeup. Be aware that you will not be treated if you have recently tanned or used any sunless tanning creams. Your specialist will apply a topical anesthetic to help relieve discomfort. While not painless, the process is quick. The interval between appointments depends on location. Areas where hair grows quickly will have less time between appointments than slower growth areas.

Patience is a virtue with laser hair removal. You won’t see results right away. Hair does not fall out immediately instead it sheds over one to three weeks. It may look like continued hair growth but trust the process. The first few hours after an appointment you may notice some redness and swelling which is normal. Apply ice to reduce pain and stay away from heat for at least 24 hours. Going to the gym, sitting in the sauna or taking a hot shower (combined with the lasting heat from the laser) will create the perfect environment for bacteria to multiply (yuck!)

As you continue with treatments, you may notice some other benefits like clearer and smoother skin. Laser hair removal is also effective in eliminating ingrown hairs. The process can become more painful as treatments continue and will generally run you between $200 to $800. But if you’re ready to ditch the tweezers, razors and hot wax it will be worth it! w