Laser hair removal is one of the most universally done cosmetic surgeries in the world. If you are dissatisfied with shaving, tweezing, or waxing to remove unwanted and undesirable hair, laser hair removal might be an option worth considering for you. It beams highly concentrated light into the hair follicles. The pigments in the follicles absorb the light that ultimately destroys the hair. During laser hair removal treatment, a laser beam passes through the skin to every individual hair follicle. The penetrating heat of the laser damages the hair follicle, which hinders future hair growth. Lasers are useful for getting rid of unwanted hair from the face, leg, arm, underarm and other body areas.
Laser hair removal has several benefits. It is a very precise surgery as lasers can selectively target dark, coarse hairs while leaving the surrounding skin undamaged and unaffected. The speed of a laser is also very fast. Each pulse of the laser takes a fraction of a second and can treat many hairs at the same time. The laser can treat an area the size of a quarter every second. Small areas such as the upper lip can be treated in less than a minute, and large areas, such as the back or legs, may take up to an hour. A laser hair removal surgery is very predictable. 90% of patients have permanent hair loss after three to five sessions. Although laser hair removal effectively slows hair growth, it doesn’t guarantee permanent hair removal. It takes several laser hair removal treatments to provide an extended hair-free period.
Hair colour and skin type greatly influence the success of laser hair removal .Laser hair removal surgery is most effective for people who have light skin and dark hair. However, advances in medical technology have made laser hair removal an option for people who have darker skin too. Laser hair removal isn’t generally recommended for white, grey, red or blond hair people. A new device, Aurora uses both intense pulsed light and radio frequency to treat women with blonde or grey hair, but they are only about 50% as effective as other lasers. As for dark or tanned skin, lasers can cause discoloration unless you use a machine created for dark skin.
Laser hair removal is more than just destroying unwanted hair. It is a medical procedure that requires training to perform and carries potential risks and complications. Before getting laser hair removal, you should thoroughly go through the credentials of the surgeon performing the procedure. Once it’s determined what type of laser or pulsed light machine will be used, you’ll likely be instructed to either shave the day of your treatment or two days before. If you are planning on undergoing laser hair removal, you should limit plucking, waxing, and electrolysis for two months before the procedure. This is because the laser targets the hairs’ roots, which are temporarily removed by waxing or plucking. You should also avoid sun exposure for six weeks before and after treatment. Sun exposure makes laser hair removal less effective and makes complications after treatment more probable.
The most common side effects and complications of laser hair removal include skin irritation, pigment changes, swelling, redness, and scarring. Permanent scarring or changes in skin colour are very rare though. Temporary discomfort, redness and swelling are possible after laser hair removal. Any signs and symptoms usually disappear within a few hours. Laser hair removal might darken or lighten the affected skin, usually temporarily. Skin lightening mostly affects those who have darker skin, especially if an incorrect laser is used. Rarely, laser hair removal can cause blistering, crusting, scarring or other changes in skin tone and texture. Laser hair removal isn’t usually recommended for the eyelid or surrounding area, due to the possibility of severe eye injury.
Laser hair removal isn’t a cheap treatment, but compared to the long-term cost of waxing and shaving, it could pay for itself in the long run. Depending on what body part you want to be treated, it can run from $300 to $3,000 a session. The cost varies widely, depending on the size of the area being treated and time required for treatment, number of treatments required, whether a surgeon or someone else is performing the procedure, the part of the country where you are having the procedure.
Results of laser hair removal vary greatly from individual to individual. Multiple treatments can prolong the duration of hair but hair regrowth is still possible. For best results, you might need four to six treatments. Additional periodic maintenance treatments might be required as well. It is a very less painful and completely safe treatment as long as it is performed by a proficient surgeon.