What You Need to Know: Laser hair removal
Written by: Rylee Larimer
Waxing? Shaving? Sugaring? Which one is the most result driven for hair removal? Simply put, none of them. Laser is the one technique of hair removal that helps prevent razor bumps, ingrown hairs, breakouts, thicker hair growth and so much more. Why is this?
Using light based hair removal, technicians are able to target the deepest part of the hair follicle without damaging the surrounding skin. While doing this it disinfects the skin, killing most bacteria that may have been in the area of treatment, this will even help with breakouts.
How Does Laser Hair Removal Work?
Laser hair removal uses energy that first sees the color (melanin) in the hair follicle and travels through it to reach the bulb and bulge. The bulb and bulge is what the laser energy is targeting to destroy the cell that creates hair growth. Once the energy finally rids of the cell, the hair growth will dissipate.
How Long Will the Treatments Take?
Depending on the area(s) that are being treated, a treatment can take five minutes to an hour. The client will need up to six treatments for permanent hair reduction and and up to twelve for permanent hair removal. This is to ensure the bulb and bulge of the hair follicle is truly destroyed and will not grow back.
When Can I Expect to See Results?
It is typical to see results after the first or second treatments. The hair will gradually start to thin and grow back slower. Even though the client will potentially see results early on in the treatment sessions, it is important to keep with all 6-12 treatments to ensure the hair growth cells are destroyed. If they are not completely gone, the hair will grow back the same way as when they first started their sessions.
How to Prepare for Laser Hair Removal Treatments?
With laser hair removal, it is important to protect your skin from the sun! When the skin is tanned or sun burnt, that heat stays trapped beneath the surface of the skin for up to 2 weeks. The laser device is also heat based, so when heat collides with heat it stimulates a burn. In conclusion, the sun must be avoided during the treatment process.
It is also important to before the laser appointment. This is because the laser energy travels through the hair follicle to get to the end target, the bulb and bulge. When that hair is shaved down, flush to the skin, it is less of a chromophore for the laser energy to travel through, resulting in better penetration of the energy to the hair cells.
In summary, laser hair removal is quicker and more precise then the other forms of hair removal. It will save more time and money in the long run and will help prevent painful ingrown hairs and irritation in the treatment area. Come prepared for your treatments and get your body smooth and prepared for bikini season!
