Laser hair removal is a very successful method of long-term hair reduction. It is a safe method used by thousands of people to remove and slow unwanted hair growth. It is important to understand the benefits and downsides of using laser hair removal.
There are only a few minor side effects of laser hair removal, and those which do occur tend not to last more than a few days.
Once you begin your journey with laser hair removal, you will no longer need to spend your money on regular expensive wax treatments, depilatory creams, razors or other methods of hair removal. It may be more cost up front, but over your life, you will save a huge amount by no longer having to spend on these procedures. You will also save yourself a great deal of time that would otherwise be spent shaving or waxing.
Unlike waxing, threading and epilating, you will not have to put up with painful and unsightly ingrown hairs. Neither will you have to tolerate razor burns or irritation. Laser hair removal can even improve ingrown hairs.
You don't need surface hair for a laser hair removal treatment. In fact, you are encouraged to shave soon before your session to prevent you scorching any of the surface hair. This means that while you are waiting for the laser hair removal to work, you can remain fuzz-free, unlike with waxing and other hair removal methods where you must have long enough surface hair before a session.
Laser hair removal specifically targets hairs right down at the follicle. This is a particular benefit over intense pulsed light (IPL) hair removal as the use of the laser makes it more suited to treating people with dark skin tones. The precision also means you should get results sooner.
Treatment times are fast, although speed will depend on the size of the area being treated, and you are likely to see results within the first few weeks. You can also think of the time you will save by not having to shave or have regular waxing.
Most patients can achieve permanent hair loss within 3 and 7 sessions, so laser hair removal is very successful.
Laser hair removal comes at a price. Clinics can charge very high prices, especially when compared to other forms of hair removal such as waxing, however, in the long run, you will save money. However, you can also find much cheaper alternatives, for example by buying an at-home laser hair removal device. These cost a fraction of the price of the salon treatment, yet have the same technology, so they get the same results.
You won't see overnight results. The hairs will gradually fall out as they die in the weeks after the treatment session and it may take a few sessions before you notice results. At least in the mean-time though, you can continue to shave until it takes effect!
Exposure to the light may result in the treated skin changing color temporarily. However, this will usually resolve quickly.
Before you have a laser hair removal treatment, it is important to make sure you have not got a tan. This means both a natural tan from sunlight and fake tan from a bottle.
For example, you should not treat your eyebrows, genitals or men's facial hair with laser hair removal. You may also find it is not effective on fine, peach fuzz hair. Those with dark hair against fair skin will notice the best results, and fairer hair will probably require you to have more sessions, but you can still get great results with the right equipment.
IPL and laser hair removal are forms of long-term hair reduction. While they can result in the inhibition of hair growth, results won't necessarily be permanent, and you may need an occasional maintenance session to keep on top of it. However, many people have found both IPL and laser hair removal to be very successful, finding hair growth reduced by up to 80% and the hair that does grow is often thinner, slower and less noticeable. There are some differences between the two, so you may like to read more about how they compare.
Laser hair removal is safe for use on women's faces and can be very successful. Many women who suffer from polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) turn to laser hair removal as a solution for the induced hirsutism with great results. Laser hair removal can be used for the treatment of the face below the cheek line, for example, the upper lip and chin.
However, laser hair removal should not be used to treat areas that are particularly close to the eyes, which are very sensitive. For this reason, you should not use laser hair removal to treat eyebrows. No matter which area of the body you are treating, you should always wear adequate eye protection and never stare directly into the beam.
Laser hair removal, however, is not suitable for any scalp hair or men's facial hair as the hair in these areas is too dense and could result in burns. All other areas of the body are suited to laser hair removal, however, other than the genitals.
In comparison to laser hair removal, waxing is a short-term solution for getting rid of unwanted body hair. You will get immediate results, although you will likely experience some discomfort during the procedure. Effects can last for several weeks and some people find that hair grows back thinner. However, there are a number of side effects associated with waxing. People with sensitive skin often find that irritation can occur and last a few days or even a week, with some areas that have thicker hairs being prone to bruising. Waxing can also result in painful ingrown hairs which are difficult to treat.
In comparison with waxing, laser hair removal has many benefits, including results that are a long-term and minimal irritation. Laser hair removal does not result in ingrown hairs either.
Using laser hair removal on the underarms is perfectly safe. You may find that it is a more sensitive area to treat as the skin is more delicate than on the legs. It may not be suitable for you if you have a contraceptive implant in your arm, so it is best to check with your doctor first.
As you can see, there are many benefits to laser hair removal. If you would like to find out more information about laser treatment for hair removal,