Tag: laser

All about Laser Hair Removal

Are you tired of constantly shaving and dealing with unwanted hair on your body? If so, laser hair removal just might be the thing for you! Of course, there might be a better option for you. Some of those options might be shaving, bleaching, tweezing or waxing. Each of these has their ups and downs but might be better for you.

Laser hair removals work by the beams of light they produce. They apply the laser device to your skin causing it to get hot. This heat damages the follicle and keeps it from growing in the future.

One of the requirements for laser hair removal is that your hair is darker than your skin. Laser hair removal is also not recommended for naturally dark people because too much laser energy is absorbed into their skin. If you tan it also recommended you do not have laser hair removal done. You can wait until your tan is gone and then proceed.

If you have light skin you can expect an easier laser hair removal procedure as well as fewer treatments with quicker results. If you are darker skinned it could take longer for results to show and you will have more treatments. Each person is different when being treated for something just the same as being treated for laser hair removal.

Most areas of the body can be treated with laser hair removal. The most popular areas:

Back
Neck
Legs
Chest
Bikini Line
Face
Underarms
Upper Lip
Abdomen

If you have a specific area you want done, talk to your local laser hair removal expert. If you are seriously considering laser hair removal you do not want to tan prior to having it done. The treatment will be less effective this way.

Laser hair removal is for women and men of all ages. Children can have it done granted they are old enough to cooperate. Laser hair removal is becoming more popular with men today. They are having their chests and backs done as well as their abdomen and sometimes face.

While laser hair removal is proven to be quite safe, there are still some cons to having the procedure. The main worry being who is giving you the treatment. If this person is not entirely qualified to perform this procedure, they could damage your skin. Be sure you know all about your professional performing this.

The cost of laser hair removal can be pricey but it really depends on your location. Every clinic is different so you want to contact a local clinic. Find out what their rates are and maybe even meet with a consultant to see if laser hair removal is right for you. You might think so just because you are tired of shaving. This may not be true though so it is better to consult a professional first.

As with any major procedure you might have done, do all your research on laser hair removal before making a final decision. If you do not get all the facts before committing to it, you might be disappointed in the end. You might not even be eligible for laser hair removal.

A Typical Laser Hair Removal Treatment

When the day arrives for you to have your first laser hair removal treatment, it is normal to feel nervous and possibly a bit anxious. This is because it is something you have never done before and you are not sure what to expect. Try to relax and think of this visit as any other doctor visit.

If there is a wait once you arrive at the office, try to keep your mind busy so you will not worry about the upcoming procedure. Perhaps a friend could accompany you to your appointment, or, if you are alone, read a book or magazine. Having your payment ready will also help you to relax as it will be one less thing you need to worry about.

When it is your turn to enter the treatment room, you will be instructed to remove all necessary clothing and a gown will be provided. If photographs of the area to be treated with laser hair removal were not taken during the consultation, the nurse or assistant will take them now.

The area to be treated will be washed to cleanse it of any lotions, cosmetics, perfumes or deodorants. It will then be prepped with alcohol. Depending on the procedure, the area may, or may not, be shaved. Your skin may be cooled before treatment to help reduce any side effects from occurring. You, and everyone else in the room, will be given safety goggles to wear during the procedure.

The doctor, or technician, who is doing the laser hair removal procedure will preform a patch test. This will give him a chance to gauge your tolerance of the treatment and also select the correct fluence levels. It will also give you the opportunity to experience how the laser feels and hopefully relieve some of your anxiety. A single pulse will be sent to the test area, which will be near the area to be treated. It will be examined for any sings of damage to the skin such as blistering or separation.

When the doctor is ready to start the procedure, he will aim the laser at the hair follicles of the area to be treated. Because the hair follicles have a dark pigmentation, they will absorb the energy from the laser’s light. The time that is needed for the procedure will depend on the amount of hair to be removed, the spot size of the beam, and the scanning pattern of the hand piece that the doctor is using. Laser hair removal treatments can take anywhere from 10 to 60 minutes, depending upon the area treated.

Many people say that the laser feels like a rubber band being snapped on your skin. Others describe it as more intense than that. If you are feeling discomfort or pain, you will be given a topical anesthesia or cooling remedies.

Once the laser hair removal treatment is completed, you will be ready to get dressed and discuss post treatment care. You may experience some temporary side effects such as redness and swelling, which usually disappear within a day or two.

Once you have experienced your first laser hair removal treatment you will be much more relaxed if you require additional treatments.

Who is Laser Hair Removal for?

Not everyone can enjoy laser hair removal and its benefits. There are two things that factor into just who can do it. Such as: Your hair color and your skin color.

These are the main two factors of laser hair removal. Blonde, red, white and grey hair is not recommended for laser hair removal. If you tan you must wait until your tan has faded only if you have dark hair. If you have tanned skin and light hair you do not qualify for laser hair removal.

Laser hair removal is for those that qualify to have their unwanted hair gone. If you have hair on any of the following areas you want removed, laser hair removal is for you.

Neck
Upper Lip
Chest
Breasts
Toes
Back
Legs
Fingers
Abdomen
Bikini Area
Pubic Area
Chin
Arms
Face
Ears
Hairline
Shoulders
Between Brows

Your skin type and skin history will also have an affect on laser hair removal being right for you. Your practitioner will ask you questions about your skin and skin history. You want to be sure you do not lie in any instance. Doing so could result in your skin being damaged after treatment. Remember you are having something done to your body, why bend the truth? Just be honest even if you might be embarrassed for something.

People wanting to do laser hair removal that have light hair can now use Meladine. This is an enhancer for melanin that will give you better results if you have light hair. You apply this before and sometimes even after your laser hair removal session. This is not a drug so you need not to worry there! It is considered a cosmetic. There is no guarantee that comes with it, so you will use it using your own confidence.

If you are looking for a quick way to get rid of hair, laser hair removal is not for you. While this will reduce your hair growth and maybe completely remove it, it is not fast. Depending on the area you want it could take four to six sessions to remove the hair.

If you want a large area done it will take more time whereas a small area such as the chin could take only one to two sessions. The amount of hair will also play a part in how long it will take. Some people think of this as an easy way out, but it is not that simple.

You want to do your research on laser hair removal before you go into it, just like you would any other procedure performed on your body. Not taking the proper precautions could you leave you feeling very unhappy and unsatisfied with your results. Granted your practitioner will do everything they can to inform you about laser hair removal. After treatment you want to know how to take care of the treated area and for how long.

Some people neglect this thinking it will all be fine. This is not always the case and you will want to always follow your practitioner’s instructions. Ask any and all questions you can think of and also be sure you find a qualified laser hair removal practitioner.

What You Should Know about Laser Hair Removal

Are you considering laser hair removal? If so you should read on to find out what you should know before deciding. Something like this is a rather major change. You want to know all the facts before you commit to something such as laser hair removal.

Are you eligible for laser hair removal? If your hair is darker than your skin you might be okay. It is not recommended that any person tanning with dark hair do this. If you are tanning, you will have to wait until your tan fades. Then you can proceed with laser hair removal. If you tan but have light hair, it is not recommended for you.

If you are dark skin you might not want to do it. The pigments in your dark skin will absorb laser energy. The darker your skin is the harder it is to perform laser hair removal. You will have to have more treatments and this will make the cost go up as well.

You can treat most areas of the body. The main areas are: Neck, Chest, Underarms, Back, Abdomen, Bikini Line, Legs and Face. You cannot have laser hair removal anywhere around the eyes. The laser is harmful to your eyes so you should wear eye protection during the treatments no matter what area you have done.

Know your options to laser hair removal. You could continue shaving, tweezing, bleaching or even waxing. While these may not sound as great, they might be better for you. The lasers produce highly concentrated beams of light that will penetrate your skin and find your hair follicle. This will produce a hot heat and damage the follicles, preventing them from future growth.

When preparing for laser hair removal you do not want to use any other type of hair removal product. That means no tweezing or waxing or anything similar. The laser hair removal will be hard to perform if there is no hair there to remove!

You also do not want to tan or moisturize. If you tan the laser could burn your skin and if you moisturize it could block the laser energy and maybe even give you an allergic reaction. Avoid both of these at all costs!

How much can you expect to spend? It will vary depending on your location and laser hair removal facility of course. According to a 2000 survey of ASAPS the average cost per treatment (one) for each of the following regions was:

Midwest: $497
East: $458
South: $307
West: $469
National Average: $360

Contact your local laser hair removal clinic to find out the costs. If they happen to be a bit too high for you check the closes surrounding laser hair removals clinics. Maybe they are a bit more in your price range.
Keep in mind when doing laser hair removal that it does not mean one hundred percent of your hair will be gone. Each person is different and some may require more treatments than others. You will definitely see a significantly reduced amount of hair.

You might end up with a type of sunburn like reaction after laser hair removal. You could even have blotches, discoloring, blistering and scarring and even crusting or scabbing. Talk to your professional to find out if laser hair removal is right for you.