Laser Hair Removal Treatment and Guidelines

Laser hair removal is a great way for people who want to remove unwanted hair growth easily. Laser treatment helps remove your hair by passing a concentrated beam of light via skin pigments. The treatment commonly includes areas such as the chin, upper lips, underarms, legs, hands, bikini line, and even the back. 

Hair removal techniques such as waxing, threading, shaving, and tweezing are cheaper options available in the market, but they are painful and temporary. Though permanent hair removal treatments such as laser and electrolysis are expensive, they can reduce your hair thickness and after regular treatment, the hair growth will be reduced.

How does Laser Hair Removal work?

During laser hair removal treatment, a beam of laser light will enter the skin pigment. The pigments absorb light energy which gets converted to heat. This damages the hair follicles present in the skin and further reduces or inhibits hair growth.

The laser targets the dark, coarse hair and acts on the hair follicle without affecting the surrounding skin.

Laser hair removal helps if you undergo the treatment regularly. The hair growth as well as the volume of the hair on your skin reduce, but the hair will not vanish permanently. Instead, it delays the growth of the hair and reduces the thickness. 

The technique is very effective for people who have light skin and dark hair and the treatment is suitable for all skin types.

Precautionary Measures to be Taken Before Treatment

• Avoid Sun Exposure

Sun damage is irreversible. Avoid exposing your skin to sunlight which causes UV radiation penetration. Also, more sun exposure to your skin may cause skin sensitivity to the laser light. To avoid these, ensure you use sunscreen as a routine before and after the laser hair removal procedure. 

• Lightening Your Skin

You can use skin lighteners and avoid using creams without sunscreens because this might cause skin tan which again would block the removal of unwanted hair.

• Avoid Other Hair Removal Procedures

One should avoid common hair removal methods such as plucking, threading, and waxing at least four weeks before the laser hair removal treatment. Instead, you can trim and shave your hair just before the treatment or a day before the procedure. It can help avoid skin damage during laser treatment.

Stages of the Treatment

The doctor or the technician uses a hand-held laser instrument to press on your skin. This may generate some heat and it will be a little bit painful. To avoid the pain and to protect the skin’s outer layer, the technician may apply a cooling gel on your skin before proceeding with the treatment.

The technician asks you to wear eye goggles to avoid laser light penetration to your eyes. Once this is done, the technician will start setting the pulse and press on your skin. The laser light beam will penetrate the skin and the technician will make sure that there is no burning sensation or bad reactions by changing the pulse frequency according to the skin type.

Once the procedure is over, your doctor will prescribe sunscreen or anti-inflammatory cream, or lotion. You can also use ice packs or gently wash the area  with cold water to avoid burns or pigmentation. Ensure you use sunscreen and moisturizers for skin soothing.

Laser Hair Removal Side Effects

Laser hair removal treatment won’t cause major harm. Minor side effects such as skin irritation, burns, pigmentation, and blisters are common. In rare cases, eye injury may occur if one doesn’t cover the eyes properly during the procedure.