For many people, laser hair removal has become a primary method of removing unwanted hair. However, laser treatments are not for everyone and professionals are quick to point out the fact that laser is not an appropriate treatment for everyone. Like any other procedure, laser can produce results both positive and negative depending on what kind of skin you have, your pain tolerance, your goals with the laser treatment, the type of laser being used, etc.
There are a number of steps that go into providing an individual with a laser hair removal treatment:
1) Consultation:
The first step is to have a consultation with a professional. During this consultation, they will ask about your medical history, skin type, hair type, and what you hope to achieve with laser hair removal. They will also perform a test patch to see how your skin will react to the laser.
2) Shaving:
The area that is going to be treated must be shaved before it can be performed. Shaving helps the laser to reach the follicle and laser energy must be absorbed by the hair in order to work. You may also need electrolysis before laser on some hairs.
3) Treatment:
This will vary depending on how many sessions you have, but this is where laser hair removal happens. The professional will activate laser on specific pulses that target hair with melanin pigment. The laser works best with coarse dark hair because it targets the melanin better than light skin or blonde/red-pigmented hairs. Although some lasers can be used for delicate areas of lighter color such as the face.
4) Post Care:
After the treatment, the skin will be red and swollen. This is normal and laser professionals may use cooling devices to soothe the area after the treatment. They also should give you post-care instructions such as applying aloe, not using certain creams or ointments, avoiding sun exposure etc.
5) Touchup:
Most laser treatments require multiple sessions at least 8-10 for optimal results. Some may only need a few while others need several depending on their hair type and color. After each laser session, your body naturally sheds old hairs and new hairs replace them with follicles that have been destroyed by laser energy leaving permanent results.
There are many pros and cons to laser hair removal both from the perspective of those receiving laser as well as those performing the treatment. It can produce permanent results but requires multiple sessions as well as post-care instructions such as not lying out in sun, avoiding certain creams/ointments, etc.
