Excessive growth of hair, especially on
unwanted areas has always been an issue to both genders. We devote a lot of
time and spend more money on removing hair from different parts of our bodies
that we don’t feel comfortable with. The traditional hair removal methods like
shaving, waxing, electrolysis and depilatories can be painful, time-consuming
and to some expensive. Laser hair removal has gain popularity over the
last decade and is now among the most commonly done cosmetic procedures.
With only a snap of the finger, fine lines and
unwanted hair disappear. But always take precautions because when in the wrong
hands, the procedure can cause equal harm. Therefore, before you make up your
mind about having the treatment done on you, you should know how and where it
works, its pros and cons and other factors.
How it is done
No matter which area of your skin you want the
hair removed, laser hair removal can help. It only takes a few minutes for the
unwanted hair to be removed with little or no discomfort. This type of hair
removal technology uses highly concentrated energy to emit pulses of light to
targeted hair follicles. The same way darker clothing attracts sunlight is the
way the hair pigments (melanin) attracts the laser energy. It is for this
reason that this procedure works best on people with dark, coarse hair and a
light complexion. However, this doesn’t mean that people without this
combination can’t get the same results. The light energy is then converted to
heat that damages the sacs within the skin’s hair follicles that are
responsible for the production of hair. This damage delays or in other cases,
inhibits hair growth in future.
Contrary to popular belief, laser hair removal
does not result in permanent removal of hair although it effectively delays its
growth for long periods. For initial hair removal, multiple treatments of laser
hair removal are required and maintenance treatments might be required as well.
Why it is done
Laser
hair removal treatment
is done when you want to remove unwanted hair. The most common treatment
locations lasers are used include the face, arm, underarm, leg, and bikini
line. It is also possible to remove the hair from any other area of the skin
except the eyelids and the areas surrounding the eyes.
How to prepare for laser hair removal
Unlike the other methods of hair removal,
laser hair removal is a medical procedure that requires trained personnel to do
the task and it also carries potential risks. Always check the credentials of
your technician or doctor thoroughly before getting a laser hair removal. The
personnel should be board certified either in cosmetic surgery or dermatology
and should also have experience in laser hair removal. If a licensed nurse or a
physician assistant is the one who is supposed to do the procedure on you,
ensure that a doctor is available on-site to supervise during the treatment.
Always be cautious about salons, spas or other cosmetic facilities since most
of them allow nonmedical personnel to perform the procedure.
When planning to have the procedure done on
you, first consult with a doctor to determine whether this type of procedure is
an appropriate option for you. Some of the things the doctor is more likely to
do include to analyze your medical history to check if you have a history of
skin disorders or scarring, your medication use or past hair removal
procedures. He will also discuss with you the risks involved with the
procedure, benefits and expectations. The doctor may also take photos of the
area you want the procedure to be done on for before and after assessments as
well as long-term reviews.
If you are in the clear and can go ahead with
the procedure, your doctor should give you a guide line of how you are supposed
to prepare for the procedure. They include;
·
Avoid other methods of
hair removal such as electrolysis, waxing and plucking for a period of up to
six weeks before the treatment. This is because waxing and plucking can
temporarily remove the hair roots that the lasers target.
·
Avoid exposure to the
sun in the same period since it affects the effectiveness of the procedure as
well as increasing the risk of complications afterwards.
·
Avoid things that can
darken your skin such as tanning or sunless skin creams. If you have a darker
skin or had a recent tan, your doctor may prescribe a skin bleaching cream.
·
Lastly, on the day
before the treatment, shaving and trimming is recommended since hair above the
skin can get burnt during the procedure and cause surface skin burns. It also
leaves the hair shaft below the surface intact.
What to expect during and after laser hair
removal
In most cases, laser hair removal requires a
series of three to eight treatments. The interval in between will depend on the
area of treatment. For instance, areas such as the upper lip where the hairs
grow quickly can have an interval of four to eight weeks between each
treatment. The other areas that take long for the hairs to grow may be treated
after every twelve to sixteen weeks.
During the procedure
During each treatment, you will be given
special goggles to wear; they are used to protect your eyes from the laser
beams. You may get another shave if necessary and you might have a topical
anesthetic applied to your skin to minimize discomfort during the treatment.
The procedure involves a hand-held laser instrument pressed to your skin.
Either a cool gel or a cooling device on the instrument’s tip might be used
depending on the type of laser. This is used for your skin’s protection and to
also reduce the risk of side effects.
You might feel some discomfort like a warm
pinprick when the doctor activates the laser. The cooling device or gel can
also give you a feeling of a sensation of cold. The time taken to complete the
procedure will depend on the area of treatment.
After the procedure
You might notice swelling and redness for the
first few hours after the procedure. You can apply ice on the area to minimize
discomfort. Also, you may have a skin reaction immediately after the procedure,
inform the doctor and he can apply a steroid cream on the area.
After every laser hair removal procedure,
avoid sun exposure from both the natural sunlight and the tanning beds for up
to of six weeks or as per the directions of your doctor. The same applies to
internal and external heat such as hot tub, sauna, steam, hot oven, or even
heavy exercise that may result in perspiration since they may stimulate
melanocytes that cause hyperpigmentation.
Since the skin on the area of treatment is
still tender, do not forcefully wash it, scratch or pick it. Avoid also
applying creams and cosmetics on the area since they can cause skin
irritations.
Side effects of laser hair removal
In most cases, laser treatment is risk-free
but there are some side effects you should put into consideration if you are
planning to get one.
·
The procedure involves
a lot of heat to get rid of the unwanted hair which can cause skin burns in
some patients. Patients with darker skins are the more likely victims since the
darker pigments on their skins absorb the heat more readily. Most burns are
mild but there have been a few cases of severe burns.
·
The treatment may
result in hypopigmentation or hyperpigmentation. Hypopigmentation is the
lightening of skin after the treatment where the absorbed light hinders melanin
production while hyperpigmentation is the darkening of the area after treatment
caused by increased melanin production.
·
Itching, a common side
effect during and after the procedure.
·
Pain, numbness and
tingling around the treated area and are among the most common side effects
that are considered normal.
·
Laser treatment can
cause the formation of scab and crust around the treated area but on rare
occasions. Luckily, they disappear as soon as they appear.
·
Infections are a very
rare side effect of this treatment. But it is important to ensure hygiene after
every procedure to avoid getting an infection.
Advantages of laser hair removal compared to
other hair removal methods
·
The procedure is fast
and quick. Every pulse of the laser takes only a fraction of a second and can
treat many hairs at a go. Smaller areas such as the upper lip can take even
less than a minute to be treated while larger areas like the legs can take
about an hour.
·
Laser hair removal is
precise since the lasers have the ability to selectively target the darker,
coarse hair only and leave the surrounding skin undamaged.
·
The procedure is very
effective in removing unwanted hair compared to other methods. Most patients
have reported permanent hair loss after about three to seven sessions.
·
The machines used for
this procedure are all user-friendly and can be used by people of all age
groups.
Disadvantages of laser hair removal
·
Its main disadvantage
is the cost. The fact that you have to complete up to a minimum of six sessions
once you start only adds to the cost, therefore, you must be fully prepared
mentally and financially before starting the sessions.
·
Another disadvantage
is that only a specific type of persons can get the full results. This is
because as explained above, it works best on people with lighter skin color.
However, there are improvements being made on the technology to accommodate
people with darker skin colors.
·
The treatment is
effective only on actively growing hair, meaning it does not prevent the growth
of new hair follicles making re-growth possible. Therefore laser hair removal
is not always a permanent solution to your unwanted hair growth.
·
In some cases, the
treatment is just effective on areas with thin hairs.
Cost of laser hair removal
The cost of getting a
laser treatment is a bit pocket-friendly but several factors come into play.
They include;
·
Area of treatment
The area you want to be treated is an
important factor when it comes to determining the cost. Larger areas such as
the back and legs are charged higher compared to smaller areas such as the
upper lip. The main reason for this is because of the procedure’s preciseness
and also the amount of time taken during the treatment depends on the size of
the area being treated. Larger areas take long to treat compared to the smaller
areas.
·
The type of hair
The length, density and thickness of the hair
on the treatment area also play a role in determining the cost of treatment.
·
The number of sessions
It is important for you to know the number of
sessions you are required to go for to complete the treatment since they are
priced differently. The number of sessions will dictate the whole amount you
will use.
·
The standard of the
clinic
The standard as well as the quality of the
clinic you chose to get your treatment from also determines the cost of the
treatment. There are different types of hospitals and clinics that offer laser
hair removal and the entire cost varies from one clinic to another. This factor
depends on the level of service and luxury a clinic offers as well as the
overall standard of health care.
Above all, always settle for a skilled doctor
with proper experience in the field. Never accept standards that are lower to
save money since you might end up with permanent body damages.
What about home lasers?
In recent times, there is the availability of
lasers that you can use at home. They can cause modest hair reduction but there
are no enough studies that show hoe effective or safe the home devices are
compared to the ones at the doctor’s office.
Therefore, if you choose to do the home laser
removal device, always read the instructions that come with it carefully and
follow them to avoid the risk of getting injuries especially on the eyes.
