Hair removal has always been a boring, tedious and painful task for both men and women. It consumes a lot of time from your daily routine and is no less than a burden. Several traditional hair removal methods such as shaving, waxing, and threading are available, but they offer temporary results, and body hairs grow again.
However, with laser hair removal, you no longer have to remove unwanted hair every week or month. It destroys the hair follicles using laser light, which reduces hair growth significantly. As a result, you get long-lasting results. But before you decide to get laser hair removal, it is essential to complete your research about the treatment. Here, I will shed light on some important facts that you must know before getting laser hair removal.
1. The results are long-lasting, not permanent
The biggest misconception about laser hair removal is that it offers permanent results. No, it does not! The results are long-lasting in the sense that you stay hair-free for months or years, but it is not forever. You will experience hair re-growth, and maintenance sessions will be required to retain the results. As hair follicles are destroyed in the treatment, your hair growth may be significantly reduced with time.
2. Shave the targeted area prior to the procedure
Do not ditch your razors right away because you will have to shave the targeted area before getting the laser treatment. The laser targets the hair follicles at the root, and long hairs only hinder the process. Therefore, it is necessary to trim the hair with razors so that the laser can effectively target the follicles.
Here, you need to know that only shaving is allowed before the laser hair removal session. You should avoid waxing and tweezing because these methods pull the hair out of the root. In that case, the hair root will not be visible to the laser, and the procedure will become useless.
Therefore, remember; Only shaving, no waxing!
3. Expect multiple sessions for a silky-smooth skin
Laser hair removal might sound like a miracle, but it does not work like a magic trick.
Yes, you should not expect a hair-free body in just a single session. That would be quite an unrealistic expectation from the procedure.
To get the best results from laser hair removal, you need multiple sessions. Hair follicles grow in a cycle with different phases like anagen, catagen, and telogen. Therefore, targeting all hair follicles at an optimum growth cycle phase requires multiple sessions. On average, six to eight sessions are needed to remove hair fully.
4. You need to stay away from tanning beds
The best time to get laser hair removal is when your skin is at its natural color. You cannot undergo laser hair removal if your skin is burnt or exposed to UV rays. Therefore, you need to stay away from the sunbeds or tanning beds for at least four weeks before the procedure.
Using a laser on tanned skin increases the risk of discoloration; that's why tanning is prohibited. For this reason, many people opt for laser hair removal in winter.
5. You will start seeing instant results
Although final results appear after multiple sessions, you will observe changes in hair growth after one session. The amount of hair that re-grows and the rate at which they grow will reduce. Also, it will get better with every session which makes it worth it. 15% to 30% reduction in hair growth can be seen after every laser session. For this reason, laser hair removal is considered an effective method for long-term reduction in hair growth. However, please do not confuse laser hair removal as a permanent hair removal method.
6. Avoid using skincare products
Before getting laser hair removal treatment, you should be very careful while applying anything to the skin. If you had a routine of using oils, moisturizers, or lotions, you would have to skip it on the day of your treatment. It is advised to keep the skin completely clean to avoid any complications during the treatment, such as discoloration. Make sure your skin is free from any products before you go for a laser session.
However, if you use prescribed facial creams like Retin-A for acne, you should stop using them as well for two to four weeks before the treatment. These preventive measures will help you ensure that your skin is normal and not overly sensitive.
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7. Expect minimum discomfort or pain
Laser hair removal is not that painful compared to waxing or other traditional hair removal methods. However, you should expect some level of discomfort, such as the sensation of a rubber band snapping against the skin. You will feel uncomfortable during the procedure, but it will be tolerable. Also, the laser targets large areas speedily, so the discomfort will be over quickly.
Moreover, you may also experience itchiness and redness post-treatment, but it will subside within two hours after the treatment. So, people who assume that laser hair removal is entirely painless and those who think it is extremely painful, both are wrong.
8. Avoid hot showers and exercises
Both exercise and hot showers increase the temperature of your body leading to sweating. With sweating, your skin becomes a potential breeding ground for bacteria, increasing the risk of infection and ingrown hairs. Therefore, dermatologists or laser experts recommend not to take hot showers for at least 24 hours after the laser hair removal procedure. Also, stay away from exercises and any activity that increases your body temperature.
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9. Fake tan is also not safe when it comes to laser
You have to put down fake tan as well before getting laser hair removal. It is not appropriate to use any tanning lotion or spray if you are interested in laser hair removal. Fake tan causes absorption of laser energy more into the skin than hair follicles, which reduces the procedure's effectiveness. Also, there is a risk of blisters and burns due to excessive laser absorption into the skin. Therefore, you should avoid self-tanners for at least 4 weeks before and after the treatment.
10. Share your medication history with the doctor
You might not consider this factor important, but your medications can affect your eligibility for the treatment. So, if you are taking any prescribed medication, share it with your doctor. Some medicines like Accutane increase the skin sensitivity to lasers, causing unwanted reactions. Therefore, you have to stop taking your prescribed medication for some time before the treatment.
11. Hairs can be laser to a specific limit in one session
If you are planning to get laser hair removal, please note that there is a certain limit to which you can laser away the hair in one session. Your practitioner will guide you about the safe limit of laser energy that you can absorb in one session. Also, they will not exceed that limit ensuring your safety. Therefore, always choose an experienced and certified laser therapist for the treatment.
12. Be consistent with your appointments
Lastly, be consistent with your laser sessions to achieve the desired results. Generally, laser sessions are spaced four to six weeks apart to ensure the effectiveness of the laser. So, be regular in your appointments if you want successful results.
The Bottom Line
You must do your research about laser hair removal treatment before undergoing it. Learn about the treatment details and share your concerns with an expert. It will help you in keeping realistic expectations from the treatment. After all, it is a matter of your skin, and you cannot risk it by believing in word of mouth. You should get the necessary information through the internet or by consulting a laser expert who guides you about the procedure in detail. Also, make sure that you are getting the procedure from a trained professional.