What to Expect with Laser Hair Removal
By Aaliyah Albo
Traditional hair removal methods like plucking, waxing, sugaring, and shaving can be time-consuming, painful, and need to be repeated over and over again, which can be frustrating and exhausting to say the least.
If you are someone that is sick and tired of having to battle unwanted hair each week, it might be time to consider laser hair removal - but how exactly does laser hair removal work?
Laser Hair Removal Treatment
Laser hair removal is the application of laser light technology to remove body hair. You can get treatment on just about any area of the body except for the eyes. The most commonly treated areas include:
- Underarms
- Chin
- Upper lip
- Legs
- Chest
- Back
- Bikini line
During a laser hair removal procedure, a laser emits a light that is absorbed by the pigment (melanin) in the hair. The light energy is converted to heat, which then damages the tube-shaped sacs within the skin (hair follicles) that produce hairs. This damage inhibits or delays hair to grow back in the future, resulting in overall hair reduction.
Although laser hair removal treatment effectively delays hair growth for long periods of time, it usually doesn’t result in permanent hair removal. Multiple laser treatments are needed for initial hair removal in a single treatment area, and maintenance treatments are typically required as well.
Another thing to note is that different skin colors and hair colors often require different lasers, which is why it's important to consult with a dermatology specialist who can guide you in the right direction and who uses FDA-approved lasers. For example, while dark hair and light skin generally tolerate all lasers very well, darker skin tones, those who have had heavy sun exposure, and those with finer or lighter hair types may only see results with the Nd:YAG laser.
Why are multiple sessions needed?
Great question! Every individual hair on your body grows at different speeds. In fact, there are three stages of hair growth in which hair grows: anagen, catagen, and telogen.
The hair must be in the growing stage anagen for laser hair removal to work. This growth cycle is where the hair is most visible on the surface of the skin. The lasers light will grab ahold of the live hair and move down the shaft to the hair follicle where it can completely destroy the root, which is why the anagen stage is best for laser treatment.
The catagen cycle is the transitioning stage from the anagen phase to the telogen phase. The telogen phase - or resting phase - is the final stage of hair growth when the hair is not growing or developing under the skin. During this final stage, hair is not normally showing above the skin's surface, meaning it can’t be treated by a laser.
These three cycles vary due to age, hormones, and natural hair growth processes, which is why laser hair removal results tend to vary from person to person, and multiple sessions are needed to fully destroy each hair follicle when they are in the correct cycle.
The Advantages of Laser Hair Removal
Minimal side effects. Shaving with a razor can sometimes leave you with razor bumps, burns, nicks, cuts, and even ingrown hairs, which can take a week or two to heal - ouch! With laser hair removal treatment, the side effects are quite minimal and tend to subside after a day or two for most skin types (sunscreen helps!). Aside from the pain associated with the actual treatment which is often compared to a rubber band snap, common side effects from treatment include a little bit of temporary redness and swelling. If you experience any side effects after getting lasered, ice can help with the swelling, and aloe can help to soothe your skin.
Cost-effective. Picture a life where you have perfectly smooth, hair-free skin and never have to buy a razor or mess with sticky wax strips ever again. If this like it is way sounds too good to be true, then you’re in luck because with laser hair removal, this can be your life! Once you start on your laser hair removal journey, you will no longer have to spend your hard-earned cash on regular expensive wax treatments, pricey razors, or fancy shaving creams. Sure, it may cost a little more upfront, but over your lifetime, you will surely save a lot by no longer having to spend money on these traditional procedures. You will also save yourself a great deal of time that would otherwise be spent waxing, tweezing, or shaving.
No ingrown hairs. “I love ingrown hairs!” - said no one ever. Ingrown hairs are the absolute worst, and if you've used a razor to battle unwanted hair, chances are you’ve had one once or twice. Ingrown hairs occur after shaving or waxing because dead skin cells or bacteria will sometimes clog a hair follicle. This results in a painful, red, pus-filled bump that is not only uncomfortable but sometimes even embarrassing. Laser hair removal is an exceptional way to kiss ingrown hairs goodbye because the laser light targets and destroys the hair follicle, so ingrown hairs aren’t even given a chance to sprout!
No waiting for hair growth. One of the best advantages of laser hair removal treatment is that you don’t need visible hair for treatment to work. In fact, you are encouraged to shave 24 hours before your laser session to prevent the laser from scorching any of the surface hair. This means that while you wait in between sessions, you can remain fuzz-free - unlike other popular methods of hair removal like waxing where you must have long enough hair that is visible on the surface of your skin prior to each session. No plucking though, or there won't be anything for the laser to target!
Precision. Unlike waxing or shaving, laser hair removal treatment targets dark, coarse hair and leaves the surrounding skin untouched. Although, as we mentioned, there might be a little sensitivity like redness in the area following treatment, however, only the hair follicles are affected by the laser--no need for pre-procedure numbing here! Shaving creates razor burn and leaves unsightly red bumps while waxing leaves the skin sensitive and irritated. Laser hair removal treatment is precise and can target each hair efficiently and effectively.
Speed. The laser used can treat many hairs in a fraction of a second with each pulse. Each second, the laser can target an area of skin that is about the size of a quarter. In some cases, small areas like the chin or upper lip can be treated in just a few minutes. Larger areas like the legs or back can take up to an hour to treat.
At-Home Laser Removal Devices
If you are looking for smooth, hair-free skin but want to avoid the in-office visit, an at-home laser removal device might be more up your alley.
Most at-home laser hair removal devices apply IPL (Intense Pulsed Light) technology, which has gained widespread popularity for the incredible benefits that it affords the user. This modern technology aims to remove unwanted hair, slow the aging process by reducing wrinkles, and perfect the skin tone by treating blemishes. In addition, multiple uses of IPL may also increase collagen production in the skin, leaving you glowing from the inside out!
If you are looking to go this route to remove unwanted hair, we recommend purchasing from an honest and reputable company like KENZZI.
KENZZI has created the world's #1 at home IPL handset, which effectively removes unwanted hair. It is extremely easy to use, has a warranty, and is loved by thousands of people all over the world. Once you give the KENZZI IPL Handset a try, you will immediately understand why KENZZI is the leader when it comes to banishing unwanted body hair.
Recap
Laser hair removal treatment has been around for a few decades now, offering both men and women a way to kick their unwanted body hair to the curb. If you are looking to rock velvety smooth skin without a hair insight, then it’s time to ditch your razor and give laser hair removal treatment a try, either with a dermatologist or on your own with a trusty at-home IPL handset!
Laser hair removal will leave your skin feeling oh-so-silky smooth day after day, month after month, year after year. Give it a try - you will thank us later!
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