Unwanted body and facial hair can ruin confidence and self-esteem. It can affect how we feel and how we interact with others. There are various ways of getting rid of the unwanted hair, like shaving, threading, hot waxing, plucking, and electrolysis. Depilatory creams will dissolve the hair quickly but these creams smell very bad, which is why many women avoid them.

Using laser therapy to remove unwanted hair has become very popular in recent times. Laser hair removal is now one of the most common cosmetic procedures in the United States. It offers many benefits – 

• The process can remove unwanted hair from your face, arms, underarm, leg, back, your bikini lines, chin, and other areas. You can get rid of unwanted hair from every part of your body, except the eyelids and eyebrows.

• It is precise. The laser will target a specific part of your body. The surrounding skin won’t get damaged.

• It is quick. Each laser pulse will work in a fraction of a second. Your upper lip can be treated in just a minute. However, your legs and back may require an hour.

• It is predictable – The therapist can guarantee you good results. You may see permanent hair loss after a few sessions.

What’s laser hair removal?

High-heat laser beams will target specific areas of your body from where you want to remove the hair. The light energy targets your hair pigment melanin, heating up and damaging your hair follicles, which are just below your skin. The follicles are responsible for producing new hair strands. So the production of hair will be disabled when these follicles are destroyed.

Intense pulses of laser target specific follicle stem cells in your body, which are present in the hair bulge. This ensures that there is no damage to the surrounding tissues.

There is a major difference between laser hair removal and other processes like waxing, shaving, and tweezing. They all remove the hair from the surface. Laser hair removal, on the other hand, targets the hair-producing follicles that are inside your skin.

Your dermatologist will apply a topical gel or anesthetic before each session. The targeted body part will also be shaved before the treatment. For this, you may have to reach the office an hour before the process starts.

It works best for those having light skin tones and darker hair. Your hair color will become fairer even if it doesn’t remove all the hair. So it will feel like you have less body and facial hair.

But remember, your hair follicles will eventually heal, so there will be new hair growth in the region. This is why you will need several sessions. You may require 3 to 5 hair removal sessions before you can achieve 70-90 percent less hair. However, with each session, your rate of hair regrowth will come down. Your hair will also appear fairer. So it will look like you have very little unwanted facial and body hair.

Find out whether you are a good candidate for laser therapy.

According to the Byou Laser Clinic in some cases, more intense effects may occur, but these are typically associated with inexperienced technicians and use of improper equipment. Call up the clinic at 718-728-2590, zip 11217 to set up an appointment. Check whether you are a good candidate for it.

How to prepare for laser hair removal?

Only a trained doctor can do this medical procedure safely and effectively. So you must check the credential of the technician or doctor before saying yes to this procedure.

There is a lot of planning involved. Here’s what you should do to prepare for the laser hair removal – 

1. Stop waxing and plucking – The laser beam will target your hair roots. So stop waxing the area 4-6 weeks before your first scheduled appointment. You can shave, though, as the root will be intact. In fact, the targeted area will actually be shaved before the process. This will reduce the risk of a burn.

2. Stay away from the sun – Limit sun exposure for at least 2 weeks before the session. Avoid self-tanners and tanning beds as well because this can cause post-treatment skin discoloration. A sunburn may also cause blistering and pain. Your doctor may not treat you if you have even the slightest sunburn. Your laser session will then be rescheduled.

3. Don’t bleach – Hair pigment, which gives the color, is present at the root. It absorbs the laser light. The pigment is altered when you bleach. So it will become more difficult to target the area. It is best that you stop bleaching 6 weeks before the treatment.

4. Medicines – Inform the doctor about the medicines you are taking. There are medicines that will make your skin sensitive, while others may hinder the treatment. Be particularly careful about birth control pills, antibiotics, and acne medications. You don’t have to stop the medicines. The laser therapist will adjust the treatment accordingly.

5. Remove makeup – Beauty products have ingredients that will sometime affect the process. So remove makeup and stop using ointments, lotions, and even deodorant before the treatment. Just use soap to clean your skin.

What can I expect after treatment?

Laser hair removal is a quick and safe way to get rid of unwanted hair. It is safe, which is why the procedure has become so popular. You won’t see immediate results, though. 

Side effects are rare. You may, however, see some redness in the treatment area. Apply an icepack to cool down your skin. Also, make sure to avoid exposure to the sun for a few days after the treatment.

According to the Mayo Clinic, laser hair removal is most effective for people who have light skin and dark hair, but it can be successfully used on all skin types.

When will I see the results after having laser hair removal?

How many sessions you will need will depend on your skin type.

• Those with dark hair and white skin may need 4 to 6 treatments.

• Patients with dark hair and light brown skin may require anything between 6 and 10 sessions.

• Those with dark brown skin and dark hair will also need 6 to 10 laser treatments before they see a major difference.

There should be a 4-6 weeks gap between the sessions.