No one wants to deal with the pain and the expense of waxing or shaving. Thankfully, there is a much better option that doesn’t need any painful removal methods. Laser hair removal is a great option for those who don’t want to deal with stubble after shaving or waxing. People who have tried laser hair removal say it gives them silky smooth skin without having to shave as often, saving time, money and energy.
Laser hair removal is an effective and safe way to remove unwanted hair. The laser energy is absorbed by the follicle, which heats up and destroys it. As the follicle dies, it becomes an open wound that allows new hair growth to grow in its place. Some people choose to undergo laser hair removal treatments because they want to maintain a smooth, soft, and silky skin. Others may want to eliminate hair from their body permanently or reduce the severity of unwanted hair growth on their face or legs.
Read on to learn more about Is Laser Hair Removal Worth It, The Benefits Of Laser Hair Removal and How to Prepare For Laser Hair Removal
Is Laser Hair Removal Worth It
Laser hair removal devices uses a light source that specifically targets the pigment in the hair itself. The quick pulse of light and energy essentially heats and melts the hair and subsequently damages the hair follicle. This prevents future hairs from growing in the follicle.
Laser hair removal is one of the most effective ways to remove unwanted hair from the body and face. “Laser hair removal works by sending light at a specific wavelength that targets melanin, the pigment that colors hair, at a depth sufficient to act on the hair bulb,” says Dr. Maiman. “The intended outcome, hair removal, results from thermal injury to the hair bulb produced when the energy in the light is absorbed by the pigment located there.”
It is important to have a pre-treatment consultation with a professional to determine what type of wavelength will be used based on the patient’s skin color and type. If skin color and laser settings aren’t accounted for accurately (i.e. targeted enough), the skin can be burned.
How many treatments will I need?
The process only works during the hair’s growth cycle, so the procedure is often done multiple times. You may have great results after three treatments, or it sometimes takes as many as nine.
Treatment needs can vary because the laser targets melanin, or dark pigment, in the hair follicles. The darker your skin is, the harder it is to distinguish between the skin color and the pigment in the follicles. You can still get good results, but it may take more treatments. If you have light skin and dark hair, you will likely get good results after just a few treatments.
Does it work for everyone?
It works with all kinds of hair, except for gray hair.
Is radiation involved?
No. The word “laser” stands for “light amplification by stimulated emission of radiation, but it’s not like an X-ray. The treatment simply uses light and heat.
How should I prepare for the procedure?
It’s a good idea to stay out of the sun as much as possible before the procedure.
Ultraviolet light stimulates melanocytes, which create more melanin (pigment) in the skin. The greater the contrast between skin color and hair color, the more effective the treatment.
You should also avoid shaving for three or four days before the treatment. If the hair has grown out some, it makes it easier for the technician to see it. Definitely avoid waxing or depilatories as they pull the hair out of the follicle, leaving no target for the laser.
How long does it take?
This depends on the area being treated. Smaller areas like the chin or underarms may only take about 20 minutes; a leg or full back can take as long as an hour and a half.
The Benefits Of Laser Hair Removal
Lasers use pulsed light to target, break down, and destroy the dark pigment in the hair. This is why it works so well on dark hair.2 But, unfortunately, this also means the lasers will also target skin pigments, which can cause discoloration.
Lasers and pulsed lights work best on people with darker hair and lighter skin tones. According to Dr. Maiman, “the ideal candidates for laser hair removal are patients with light skin and dark hair. In patients with blonde hair, the laser is relatively ineffective because there is minimal pigment present in the hair bulb for it to target, and it relies on this target for its mechanism of action.” However, there are devices like the Diode and Nd-Yag, created to give results to people with light hair or dark skin.
For deeper skin tones, using the incorrect type of machine and lasers can cause discoloration.3 If your skin is dark, you should never subject yourself to an Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) treatment. “Those with darker skin are at higher risk of adverse events like potentially permanent hyper or hypopigmentation. This is because they have more pigment surrounding the hair follicle that can be inadvertently hit and destroyed by the laser,” says Dr. Maiman. “This, of course, does not mean that patients with darker skin tones cannot get laser hair removal. It simply means that going to a board-certified dermatologist is even more important because it is critical that the provider choose the right laser and use the right settings to minimize risk.”
Lasers have come a long way and the technology is continually improving. When you book your appointment, describe your skin tone and hair color and ask the salon what lasers they use (and if they’ll provide results with your hair and skin tone). Some businesses specialize in the removal of light hair or lasers for deeper skin tones, making it easier to know what kind of treatment you’d receive there.
How to Prepare For Laser Hair Removal
Once you decide what type of laser is best for your hair and skin tone, you’ll likely be told to either shave a day or two before your sessions. Taylor told me to “shave the area to be treated the night before or the morning of the treatment and take a pain reliever at least 30 minutes before if needed.”
You’ll also want to avoid tanning and self-tanners before and after treatment. It is possible that you will need to stop taking certain medications to avoid adverse effects, so be honest about everything you take.
On the day of your appointment, avoid using any products on your skin, including lotions, deodorant, or anything else. Be sure to check with your aesthetician about any other things you should and should not do before and after your sessions.
The pulsed light in laser hair removal feels like a rubber band snapping against your skin, although some machines perform differently. Not every zap will hurt and some areas, like the lower legs, hurt more than others, like your thighs.
What To Expect from Laser Hair Removal
The beauty-is-pain trope may feel a bit played out these days, but I can’t lie, as I found the process to be uncomfortable. While appointments are quick—no more than 20 minutes for me—my best description of the procedure is that it’s as if you are repeatedly being snapped by a rubber band. Different places also hurt differently, so keep that in mind when discussing with your technician the areas in which you’re going to get the procedure done.
I was also surprised to learn that there’s no guarantee that any area will be completely bare just because you complete a treatment plan. “A common misconception is that the hair will be completely gone after three to five treatments and never grow again,” Taylor notes. “You can expect to need at least five to 10 treatments every four to six weeks to achieve a 70 percent to 90 percent overall reduction. After every treatment, you will see a gradual lessening of hair: The hair will start growing finer, lighter, and slower.”