Is Laser Hair Removal For Bikini Area Safe Waxing>Laser hair removal is often safer than other treatments for removing hair from the bikini area. An powerful beam of light is generated and aimed at the skin in a procedure called “Fractional Laser Resurfacing,” which is effective for removing hair from the bikini line. This beam employs heat and injury to the hair follicle to permanently disable it and prevent further hair growth. There is always a chance of side effects with laser treatments. But, this is never done in a squeaky-clean environment without the supervision of a qualified expert.
Waxing isn’t just for the face. If you’ve been thinking about removing unwanted hair from your bikini area, you’re probably wondering whether or not it’s safe to wax. This article will give you the information you need to make an informed decision. Read on to learn more i regret my laser hair removal/is laser hair removal permanent.
Is Laser Hair Removal For Bikini Area Safe Waxing
For many women who like to spend time at the beach and the pool, a clean bikini line is very important. But what’s the best option for removing the hair that grows along this line?
Shaving, waxing, and laser hair removal are all legitimate options, but at Laser Bar and Spa, our Cynosure® Elite+™ system makes laser removal a breeze. Here’s why we think it’s the best option for removing bikini line hair.
Shaving
If you’ve ever shaved along your bikini line, you know that it’s not the easiest process in the world. The angles are awkward, and if you don’t have a fresh razor, you’re guaranteed to get razor burn, not to mention the unsightly bumps and irritating ingrown hairs that can form.
You also have to make sure to apply lotion after you shave so your skin won’t become dry, red, and irritated.
Waxing
Waxing is another option if you want to remove the hair in your bikini area. If you go this route, though, you have to be prepared to wax every month, and the cost of those treatments can add up over time.
Waxing is also painful, especially in the sensitive bikini area, and it can also cause ingrown hairs.
Laser removal
That leaves laser hair removal as the final option. While it may cost a little more initially, the benefits far outweigh the downsides. When you remove all the hair permanently with a laser, you’re eliminating forever the monthly hassle of shaving or waxing.
Your hair stubble won’t grow back, causing ingrown hairs — in fact, you’ll never have to worry about ingrown hairs again. You’ll also be permanently groomed, ready at any time for the beach or the pool.
The laser hair removal process
The process is simple and painless. The Cynosure® Elite+™ laser heats up the hair follicles in the targeted bikini area by sending light pulses into the root of the follicle. This destroys the follicle so it can no longer grow.
Because your hair follicles are all in different stages of growth, multiple treatment sessions are necessary to make sure all the hair is eliminated. Every case is unique, but each session will last about 15 minutes, and you’ll probably need eight to ten total sessions to complete the treatment.
A few weeks before you begin treatment, you’ll need to stop plucking, waxing, and tanning. After each treatment, you may need some aloe vera to calm itching. The important thing is to avoid sun exposure to the area that was treated. It may be to your advantage to have the treatment done in the fall or winter so you’re ready for the sunny season when spring and summer roll around.
To find out more about bikini line laser hair removal or to set up a consultation at Laser Bar and Spa, call our office today. We can start treatment as soon as possible so you can be rid of hair in your bikini line — forever.
Is Laser Hair Removal Permanent
Risks of side effects vary with skin type, hair color, treatment plan and adherence to pre-treatment and post-treatment care. The most common side effects of laser hair removal include:
- Skin irritation. Temporary discomfort, redness and swelling are possible after laser hair removal. Any signs and symptoms typically disappear within several hours.
- Pigment changes. Laser hair removal might darken or lighten the affected skin. These changes might be temporary or permanent. Skin lightening primarily affects those who don’t avoid sun exposure before or after treatment and those who have darker skin.
Rarely, laser hair removal can cause blistering, crusting, scarring or other changes in skin texture. Other rare side effects include graying of treated hair or excessive hair growth around treated areas, particularly on darker skin.
Laser hair removal isn’t recommended for eyelids, eyebrows or surrounding areas, due to the possibility of severe eye injury.
How you prepare
If you’re interested in laser hair removal, choose a doctor who’s board certified in a specialty such as dermatology or cosmetic surgery and has experience with laser hair removal on your skin type. If a physician assistant or licensed nurse will do the procedure, make sure a doctor supervises and is available on-site during the treatments. Be cautious about spas, salons or other facilities that allow nonmedical personnel to do laser hair removal.
Before laser hair removal, schedule a consultation with the doctor to determine if this is an appropriate treatment option for you. Your doctor will likely do the following:
- Review your medical history, including medication use, history of skin disorders or scarring, and past hair removal procedures
- Discuss risks, benefits and expectations, including what laser hair removal can and can’t do for you
- Take photos to be used for before-and-after assessments and long-term reviews
At the consultation, discuss a treatment plan and related costs. Laser hair removal is usually an out-of-pocket expense.
The doctor will also offer specific instructions to prepare for laser hair removal. These might include:
- Staying out of the sun. Follow your doctor’s advice for avoiding sun exposure before and after treatment. Whenever you go out, apply a broad-spectrum, SPF30 sunscreen.
- Lightening your skin. Avoid any sunless skin creams that darken your skin. Your doctor might also prescribe a skin bleaching cream if you have a recent tan or darker skin.
- Avoiding other hair removal methods. Plucking, waxing and electrolysis can disturb the hair follicle and should be avoided at least four weeks before treatment.
- Avoiding blood-thinning medications. Ask your doctor about what medications, such as aspirin or anti-inflammatory drugs, to avoid before the procedure.
- Shaving treatment area. Trimming and shaving is recommended the day before laser treatment. It removes hair above the skin that can result in surface skin damage from burnt hairs, but it leaves the hair shaft intact below the surface.
What you can expect
Laser hair removal usually requires two to six treatments. The interval between treatments will vary depending on the location. On areas where hair grows quickly, such as the upper lip, the treatment might be repeated in four to eight weeks. On areas of slow hair growth, such as the back, the treatment might be every 12 to 16 weeks.
For each treatment you’ll wear special goggles to protect your eyes from the laser beam. An assistant might shave the site again if necessary. The doctor might apply a topical anesthetic to your skin to reduce any discomfort during treatment.
During the procedure
The doctor will press a hand-held laser instrument to your skin. Depending on the type of laser, a cooling device on the tip of the instrument or a cool gel might be used to protect your skin and lessen the risk of side effects.
When the doctor activates the laser, the laser beam will pass through your skin to the hair follicles. The intense heat from the laser beam damages the hair follicles, which inhibits hair growth. You might feel discomfort, such as a warm pinprick, and you’ll likely feel a sensation of cold from the cooling device or gel.
Treating a small area, such as the upper lip, might take only a few minutes. Treating a larger area, such as the back, might take more than an hour.
After the procedure
You might notice redness and swelling for the first few hours after laser hair removal.
To reduce any discomfort, apply ice to the treated area. If you have a skin reaction immediately after laser hair removal, the doctor might apply a steroid cream to the affected area.
After laser hair removal and between scheduled treatments, avoid sunlight and don’t use a tanning bed for six weeks or as directed by your doctor. Use a broad-spectrum SPF30 sunscreen daily.
Waxing can also be done at home or in a salon, but for best results, it’s better to have a professional do it. Waxing involves a variety of substances that can cling onto your hair and then pull them out from the roots. Waxing is a popular alternative, especially for getting a bikini wax or Brazilian wax.
Pros | Cons |
Can be done at home or in a salon. You can buy products like wax strips, cold wax, or a waxing kit, or you can opt to have it done by a professional. Done once a month. On average, people get Brazilian waxes every three to four weeks. It’s not as hands-off as laser hair removal, but it’s less labor-intensive than shaving. No razor burn. Waxing doesn’t result in razor burn since it doesn’t irritate your skin the same way as shaving. | More painful than laser hair removal. Lasers simply heat up hair follicles, while waxing rips a group of hairs from their follicles. Brazilian waxing affects sensitive areas more intensely due to its direct contact to the skin and its larger coverage. You need to grow it out. Rather than keeping pubic hair from growing out, you’ll need to grow out your hair at least a quarter of an inch long for your next Brazilian wax. Costs pile up over time. Wax isn’t reusable after a session, so whether you do it at home or at a salon, the costs may be impractical if you’re looking at it long-term. |
I Regret My Laser Hair Removal
Most people experience hair removal that lasts several months, and it might last for years. But laser hair removal doesn’t guarantee permanent hair removal. When hair regrows, it’s usually finer and lighter in color. You might need maintenance laser treatments for long-term hair reduction.
I had my first laser hair removal treatment on my upper lip, chin, and cheek areas. I had done extensive research on the treatment and was very excited because the idea of no more shaving appealed to me. Plus, I’d heard from friends that it really worked well for them.
My first treatment was painful and uncomfortable. It felt like someone was dragging a razor across my face as they pulled out each hair follicle. The results were good at first but within a few months the hair was back in full force. I went back for more treatments but with less than satisfactory results.
Finally, after about 6 months of treatments I decided to give up on laser hair removal completely because it just wasn’t working for me at all. My face looked like a patchwork quilt by this point with some areas completely smooth while others were still filled with stubble.”
From one month before the bikini laser it is recommended not to use any method to remove hair from the roots. Such as waxing hair tying waxing tweezers and other items.
Avoid tanning your skin with the sun or solarium for a few weeks to a month before laser bikini hair removal.
It is best not to use exfoliating medications that exfoliate severely for a few weeks before the bikini hair laser.
Be sure to tell your doctor and operator if you are taking illicit drugs. In some cases you may be asked to delay your hair laser for up to 1 month.
If you have hormonal problems or a history of diseases that manifest themselves in your skin such as warts hair thyroid problems and other contraindications to the use of laser it is better to inform your doctor and operator.
The day before the bikini laser shave the skin surface with a razor to completely shave the hair (hair shaft). This both helps the laser work and prevents the skin from burning.
If you have a history of injecting gels Botox and fillers be sure to inform your operator to prevent the side effects of laser hair removal.
If you use anesthetic gels and ointments such as xylogel or lidocaine be sure to wash your skin clean. Remove body cream splash and any other cosmetics from your skin.
What does bikini laser hair care include?
To minimize the side effects of bikini laser you should take care of your bikini hair after laser treatment as seriously as before. Many of the complications mentioned are due to not following the care of laser hair removal.
Things like blisters or infections are due to non-compliance.
Avoid going to the bathroom sauna pool and the like for a day after the bikini laser.
To reduce and eliminate inflammation it is better to use repair creams several times a day.
If your sessions are not over yet avoid tanning your skin and sunbathing.
Use sunscreen regularly to prevent blemishes and damage to which the skin is more vulnerable due to its sensitivity. (Of course the bikini area especially in Iran is not exposed to much sunlight but keep in mind that the sun s UVA rays even pass through the window and it is better to take the necessary care.)