Laser hair removal is the process where a laser of light is sent through the pigment in the hair, converting to heat, and damaging the hair follicle and bulb. It’s precise, fast and effective. It’s most often used to treat legs, armpits, upper lip, chin and bikini line, but you can also use it on any area to remove unwanted hair– except anywhere that has tattoos.
If you've been considering the treatment, here are a few things you need to know first about the process and benefits with Clear Skincare Clinics.
The Process
Before you go: Before your appointment, you need to prep. To do this is simple. Use a razor to shave the area within 24 hours prior to the treatment. Don’t tweeze, pluck or wax. Ensure the treatment area is free from any deodorant, creams, or makeup. You also need to avoid the sun for four weeks prior to your appointment, and don’t use any fake tanning products for that period either. If you have used these prior, make sure you exfoliate to remove any residue.
While you’re there: You may be asked to wear a protective covering over your eyes, depending on the procedure, and your skin will be protected by a cooling gel or device. The process itself varies in time - removing the hair from your face takes just 5- 10 minutes, while both legs will take less than 30mins.
After the treatment: You might experience a little redness and swelling in the first few hours after the treatment, but ice will usually bring this down. If you have a reaction, the doctor might apply steroid cream. Don’t use a tanning bed for six weeks or longer if directed, as the more there is a contrast between your skin colour and your hair colour makes it easier for the laser to target and treat. Also, make sure you use sunscreen daily, minimum SPF30.
Keep in mind that it takes up to three weeks after your first treatment to see any difference, and you’ll need to have around 8-12 treatments in total to get the full result. You’ll need to wait anywhere from four weeks to six weeks before you can go back for the next round of treatment. This is one of the reasons why many people opt to start their treatments in winter – so they’re hair free and ready by the time summer rolls around.
The Benefits
There are so many reasons we love laser hair removal, the following are just a few of them:
Say goodbye to ingrown hairs: If you’re prone to ingrown hairs when you shave, pluck or wax, it’s time to bid them farewell. Laser hair removal starts at the roots to remove the hair completely, and as such, eliminates the chance of ingrown hairs.
Leaves your skin smooth: Honestly, there’s nothing worse than stubble – it’s itchy, can cause a rash, and often results in angry red skin, particularly if it’s rubbing on any type of material. With laser hair removal, your skin will feel silky smooth long after the treatment. And if the hair does grow back, it’ll grow back thinner and softer anyway.
The results last: The smooth skin you get from shaving your legs lasts about 2 days, while waxing – you might get a week or two hair-free. With laser hair removal, it can take weeks or even months before you see any sign of hair, which means – you can have the full summer without every picking up a razor! And the more treatments you have, the less chance the hair will come back at all.
It’ll save you money: Sure, laser hair removal costs money upfront, but in the long term, you’ll save the money you spend on waxing, threading, and even razors.
Laser hair removal doesn’t suit everyone, and it doesn’t work for all hair types. Talk to a professional consultant to determine if it’s the best option for you.
