Hair Removal
Why is it done?
Unwanted hair can be reduced via laser hair removal. Legs, armpits, the upper lip, the chin, and the bikini line are among the common areas treated. With the exception of the eyelid or vicinity, it is possible to cure undesirable hair in almost any place. Tattooed skin also shouldn’t be treated.
The effectiveness of laser hair removal is influenced by skin type and hair colour. The fundamental idea is that light should be absorbed by the pigment in hair but not by the pigment in skin. The skin shouldn’t be harmed by the laser, which should only harm the hair follicles. The best results are obtained by having black hair and pale skin, which contrasts with each other.
However, thanks to advancements in laser technology, laser hair removal is now an option for people with darker skin tones. The danger of skin injury is higher when there is minimal contrast between hair and skin colour. Gray, red, blond, and white hair colours don’t absorb light effectively, therefore laser hair removal is less successful on them. However, light-colored hair laser treatment solutions are still being researched.
How you approach preparation:
Choose a specialist who has experience with laser hair removal on your skin type and is board certified in a speciality like dermatology or cosmetic surgery if you’re interested in the procedure. If a physician assistant or registered nurse will perform the procedure, make sure a doctor will oversee it and be there while it is being done. Avoid visiting spas, salons, or other establishments where laser hair removal is performed by non-medical staff.
Make an appointment for a consultation with the doctor before laser hair removal to ascertain whether this is the best course of therapy for you. These are likely actions your doctor will take:
Examine your medical background, paying particular attention to any drug usage, history of skin conditions or scarring, and previous hair removal techniques.
Talk about the potential dangers, rewards, and expectations, as well as what laser hair removal can and cannot accomplish for you.
Take pictures for long-term evaluations and before-and-after comparisons.
Discuss a treatment plan and associated charges during the appointment. The cost of laser hair removal is typically borne by the patient.
Additionally, the doctor will provide detailed instructions on how to get ready for laser hair removal.
These could consist of:
avoiding the sunlight. Whenever possible, avoid the sun both before and after treatment. Apply a broad-spectrum, SPF30 sunscreen before going outside every time.
making your skin lighter. Steer clear of any sunless skin care products that darken your skin. If you have a recent tan or darker skin, your doctor may also advise using a skin bleaching cream.
avoiding other hair removal techniques. The hair follicle should not be disturbed by electrolysis, waxing, or plucking for at least four weeks prior to treatment.
avoiding drugs that thin the blood. Before the procedure, find out from your doctor which medications you should avoid, such as aspirin and anti-inflammatory drugs.
treatment area shaving. It is advised to trim and shave the day before laser therapy. The hair shaft is left intact beneath the skin’s surface, however it eliminates hair that is above the skin and may cause burns to the skin’s surface.
What to anticipate:
Two to six sessions are typically needed for laser hair removal. Depending on the location, a different amount of time will pass between treatments. Depending on how quickly the hair grows, the treatment may need to be repeated after four to eight weeks on places like the upper lip. The therapy may be repeated every 12 to 16 weeks on parts of the body where hair grows slowly, like the back.
You will put on specialised goggles for each treatment to shield your eyes from the laser beam. If necessary, a helper might reshave the area. Your skin may receive a topical anaesthetic from the doctor to lessen any discomfort while receiving treatment.
Throughout the process:
The physician will apply a handheld laser device to your skin. To protect your skin and reduce the danger of side effects, a cooling device on the laser’s tip or a cold gel may be used, depending on the type of laser.
The laser beam will penetrate your skin to the hair follicles when the doctor turns on the laser. The laser beam’s strong heat destroys the hair follicles, which prevents new hair from growing in. You might experience pain, such as a warm pinprick, and the cooling device or gel will probably make you feel cold.
A small area, like the upper lip, might just require a few minutes of treatment. It might take longer than an hour to treat a larger area, like the back.
After the procedure:
For the initial few hours following laser hair removal, you can experience redness and swelling.
Apply ice to the affected region to ease any pain. The medical professional may apply a steroid cream to the afflicted area if you experience an instant skin reaction after laser hair removal.
Avoid sunlight and tanning beds for six weeks after laser hair removal and in between appointments, or as prescribed by your doctor. Every day, use a broad-spectrum SPF 30 sunscreen.