Laser Hair Removal: Benefits, Procedure, Tips, and More

Laser Hair Removal_ Benefits, Procedure, Tips, and More

Laser hair removal is today’s modern approach to hair rejuvenation. This popular procedure removes unwanted body hair. Typically, patients may want this hair removal treatment on their underarms, bikini area, and back. Although not permanent, this procedure’s results last longer than traditional waxing or shaving. Most patients need about six treatments for effects to transpire fully. Laser hair removal is usually safe, but side effects can include burns, scars, or permanent skin discoloration.

Today, let us know more about this treatment, its procedure and how it works, its benefits and tips, and many more. Read until the end and discover if laser hair removal can work for you.

What is Laser Hair Removal?

Laser hair removal procedures remove unwanted hair from your body. It’s non-invasive, so it doesn’t need to cut your skin in any way, shape, or form. Patients may receive this treatment on any part of their body, but the most common areas are:

  • Face.
  • Back.
  • Bikini area (or any body areas that grow pubic hair).
  • Legs.
  • Underarms.

Benefits of Laser Hair Removal

Lasers help remove unwanted hair from the face, leg, chin, back, arm, underarms, bikini line, and other areas. Laser hair removal includes benefits such as the following:

  • Precision. Laser hair removal can selectively target dark, coarse hairs while leaving the surrounding skin undamaged.
  • Predictability. Most patients experience permanent hair loss after an average of three to seven sessions.
  • Speed. Every laser pulse takes a fraction of a second and can treat many hairs simultaneously. These lasers can treat areas approximately the size of a quarter as each second elapses. Smaller areas of the body, such as the upper lip, can be administered with the treatment in less than a minute. Meanwhile, more extensive areas, such as the back or legs, may take up to an hour.

Why Laser Hair Removal is Done?

The procedure of laser hair removal helps reduce unwanted hair. Common parts of the body treated include the armpits, legs, areas of the upper lip, chin, and the bikini line. Although, it’s also possible to treat unwanted hair in nearly any area except the eyelid or surrounding area. Practitioners should not treat skin with tattoos, either.

Other factors, such as hair color and skin type, can significantly influence the success of laser hair removal. The simple science is that pigments of the hair, but not pigments of the skin, should absorb the light. The lasers used in laser hair removal should damage only hair follicles, avoiding skin damage as much as possible. Therefore, contrasts between hair and skin color — dark and light skin — result in the best outcomes.

The risk of damage to the skin is more significant when the contrast between hair and skin color is very little to none. However, advances in laser technology have made laser hair removal an option for people with darker skin. The laser hair removal procedure becomes less and less effective for people with hair colors that don’t absorb light well. Such hair colors include gray, red, blond, and white. But do not fret – laser treatment options for light-colored hair continue to be developed.

How Laser Hair Removal Works?

Laser hair removal procedures utilize a process called selective photothermolysis. The laser’s heat destroys cells with a lot of pigment or the hair color itself. Due to dark hair having lots of pigment, it absorbs heat the most. Then, hair transfers the heat to the follicles of the hair, eventually destroying them, making hair unable to grow

 any further.

Hair follicles must be in their anagen, or growth, stage for the procedure to work. Follicles are in different locations at different times, so most people need multiple laser treatments.

What Happens During Laser Hair Removal?

Laser hair removal involves several steps. Your healthcare provider will:

  • Clean the area.
  • Provide you with protective glasses or goggles to wear during the procedure. Your healthcare provider also wears protective eyewear.
  • Treat your skin with a laser that might feel like a series of tolerable stings. Some patients explain this sensation as a rubber band snapping against their skin.

Your laser hair removal procedure may typically take around a few minutes or up to an hour. It is all based on the size of the area that is being treated. You might smell smoke and burning hair. This process is normal and is the hair burning away from the laser’s heat.

What Happens After?

Laser hair removal might make your skin red, swollen, and painful. As a measure, you can use a cold compress on the treated area. Also, avoid exposing the treated area to natural or artificial sunlight. Once fully recovered, you should be able to return to normal activities immediately.

Potential Risks

Side effects vary based on skin type, hair color, and treatment plan. In addition, adherence to pre-treatment and post-treatment care may also become a factor. Most commonly, the side effects of laser hair removal include the following:

  • Pigment changes. Laser hair removal could darken or lighten the skin affected by the treatment. These changes to the skin’s pigmentation might be temporary or permanent. Primarily, skin lightening affects people who don’t avoid exposure to the sun before or after treatment. Furthermore, those who have darker skin may experience much more compared to others.
  • Skin irritation. Possible side effects may include temporary discomfort, redness, and swelling after your laser hair removal procedure. However, any signs and symptoms usually disappear within several hours.

Also, laser hair removal isn’t suggested for areas surrounding the eyes, including the eyelids and eyebrows, since they can possibly result in severe eye injuries.

Results

The hairs on your treated area do not fall out immediately, but you will shed them over days to weeks. This phenomenon may look like continued hair growth. Typically, repeated treatments are necessary because hair growth and loss naturally happen in a cycle. Hence, laser hair removal treatments work best-involving hair follicles in their new-growth stage.

But remember, results will vary significantly and are difficult to predict. Most patients may experience hair removal that will last for several months and might even last for years. But laser hair removal doesn’t guarantee permanent hair removal. When hair regrows, it’s usually finer and lighter in color.

You might need maintenance laser treatments for long-term hair reduction.

The Bottomline

Laser hair removal procedures are a safe and effective way to remove unwanted body hair. The heat from a laser removes hair and destroys hair follicles. It’s not permanent, but the results last longer than plucking, tweezing, or waxing. Most people need multiple treatments. Only an experienced healthcare provider should perform this procedure. Talk to your trusted skin expert to enjoy the benefits of laser hair removal.

Is laser hair removal the procedure for you? Our awesome friends at Thrive Aesthetics and Wellness Spa can help you today. 

Leight Wolf

LE, MA

Leigh is a Master Esthetician with over 25 years of experience in the skin-care industry. She specializes in the clinical treatment of aging and problem skin, and offers an extensive list of aesthetic services. Leigh graduated from the Tennessee Academy of Cosmetology in 1995 and has since obtained additional certifications, training, and education. She holds a diploma in Advanced Skincare from Georgia Career Institute and has obtained certifications for both lash extensions and microblading. Leigh has not allowed the skin care and aesthetics industry to advance without her over the last 25 years. She is known for the enthusiasm she has for her career and her willingness to pursue advancements made in the industry. Leigh loves helping each client achieve what they are looking for and ensures they leave happy with their results.

Leigh has three children and she currently lives in Monroe, GA. She loves spending time with her family, learning about the latest and greatest in the beauty industry, and shopping.

Deanna Glenn

Office Manager

Deanna is our wonderful office manager and right-hand (wo)man. She ensures the smooth operation of our office and has over 8 years of experience in Healthcare Administration. Deanna graduated from The University of Phoenix in 2014, with a Bachelor’s in Healthcare Administration. After graduating, she worked as the Practice Manager for a cosmetic surgery practice. While most of her work is done behind the scenes, Deanna is a crucial member of the Thrive team. Deanna explains everything in a way that is understandable and her friendly demeanor always makes people feel valued. She is dedicated to ensuring that our client’s experience outside the treatment room is as satisfying as during their treatment.

Deanna currently lives in Jefferson, GA with her husband and two kids. Deanna loves to travel, read a good book and spend quality time with family and friends.

Caitlin Briscoe

RN, BSN

Caitlin is a registered nurse with over 8 years of experience in the cosmetics industry. She is a nurse injector and senior cosmetic laser practitioner.

Caitlin graduated from Piedmont College in 2014 with a degree in Nursing. After graduating, she worked in the operating room as a circulating nurse for cosmetic surgeries. Caitlin began performing cosmetic injections in 2016 and has since obtained training and certifications in various other cosmetic and aesthetic services; such as microneedling, chemical peels, and various laser treatments. Caitlin takes the time to form relationships with her clients to gain an understanding of their personal goals and address their individual concerns.

Caitlin currently lives in Good Hope, Georgia with her husband and two daughters. Caitlin enjoys shopping, traveling, and spending time with her family and friends.

Lindsey Whitehurst

APRN, MSN

CNM, MSN

Lindsey is a Certified Nurse Midwife with over 4 years of experience in cosmetics, wellness, and women’s health.

Lindsey attended Augusta University for her undergraduate degree where she graduated in 2017 with her Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing. She later obtained a Master’s of Science from Emory University in 2018 where she specialized in Nurse-Midwifery. Before transitioning into the cosmetics and wellness industry; Lindsey worked in women’s health, treating both Obstetric and Gynecology patients. Lindsey has a warm and personal approach to her clients, she is known for partnering with her patients to create tailored treatment plans that address their individual cosmetic and wellness goals. She takes the time to listen to patient concerns and answer questions while providing evidence-based care and maintaining patient safety. Lindsey is dedicated to ensuring each patient understands and is comfortable prior to providing their treatments and services.

Lindsey has lived in Monroe for 15 years with her four children. She enjoys spending time with her family, interior decorating, watching UGA football, and loves fall weather and being outdoors.

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