Thinking of Laser Hair Removal? Here's What You Need to Know
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Thinking Of Laser Hair Removal? Here's What You Need To Know By: Thomas Wilson Abstract When shaving becomes too time consuming, regular waxes continue to hurt really bad, and tweezing feels like torture; laser hair removal—which uses targeted laser beams to destroy hair follicles and prevent future growth—can start to feel like a really good idea. Once considered a luxury item, the popularity of this treatment has been helped along by both lower prices from various skin clinics, celebrities and beauty enthusiasts out there, who have been increasingly vocal about the wonders of this multi-step procedure. But, if you still have doubts on considering a laser hair removal treatment to get rid of unwanted hair, read the entire guide. 1. Introduction Laser hair removal is a long-lasting form of hair removal that damages or destroys the hair follicle. However, the hair may regrow, particularly if the follicle is damaged and not destroyed during the laser hair removal procedure. For this reason, many doctors now refer to laser hair removal as long-term hair removal rather than permanent hair removal. Here in this guide, you will know about some important things about laser hair removal. 2. Laser Hair Removal: Is It Really Worth It? Thinking of trying laser hair removal? Here’s everything that you need to know! As a teenager, hair removal has always been part of my regular beauty routine. I tried shaving, trimming, waxing, depilating and tweezing, just to get rid of unwanted hair on the different parts of my body. From my experience, shaving removes everything away quickly, but the hair grows back in a matter of days. Depilatory cream dissolves hair in minutes, but they have the tendency to smell bad. When tweezing, hair sometimes break off, and grow back under the skin, causing ingrown hair. Then there’s waxing or sugaring, which snatches the hair at the root. Hair doesn’t grow back for weeks, but for some, it can really be a painful process, and it itches so much when the hair grows back. Then, a few years ago, I decided to stop all these and switched to laser treatments. To be honest, I just got really sick of ingrown hairs and the little red bumps that formed on my skin. At that point, I told myself that it’s definitely time to look into a more permanent option—no more back-and-forth business. The majority of people who use it find that laser hair removal is safe and well-tolerated— well, that’s true, but not all. As a beauty writer, have I gotten to try various laser treatments and some of them feel really painful like a rubber band snapping against my skin. However, it really depends on the laser, the depth and area of treatment, and the person’s tolerance for pain. Earlier this week, I got the chance to try STRIP ICE laser technology from STRIP Manila in Serendra, BGC. I walked into my first session, met with a hair removal expert, who patiently took me through the step-by-step process, as I put on a pair of protective glasses before the actual treatment. Unlike my previous experiences, this one feels nothing more than gentle massaging warmth—just a little bit of pain, especially with the first few minutes. This is mainly due to not removing all hair in area to be treated before the procedure. Hairs missed while shaving absorb laser energy and heat the skin surface. There is less pain if you do the treatment at regular intervals. According to Strip, “STRIP ICE offers breakthrough hair removal technology using a diode laser based on an Alexandrite wavelength, allowing for better energy absorption by the melanin chromophore, providing an ideal solution for the widest range of hair types and color–especially light-colored and dark-colored skin tones.” For the last part of my treatment, the hair removal expert gave me a no-go list for the next 24 hours: no hot baths, no swimming or sunbathing, no tight clothing, no scrubbing and no intensive exercise. According to them, typically, the process of laser hair removal can take around six months to complete, with appointments every four to six weeks. But you can already expect to see some results in the beginning. For the first session, hair can grow back sparse than before. It takes more than one session to have hair totally eliminated. Exfoliating in the shower with a sugar scrub can help speed up the process. I know it’s obvious that I love this treatment and it works for me, but I want to reiterate the fact that everyone will have a different idea as to which procedure is right for them. So know that as a personal (and most permanent) choice, this is a procedure that’s entirely up to you. 3. How long does laser hair removal last? Read on to learn about how laser hair removal works, how long it lasts, and the costs of laser hair removal procedures. How does laser hair removal work? Laser hair removal uses light to target the pigment in individual hairs. The light travels down the shaft of the hair and into the hair follicle. The heat from the laser light destroys the hair follicle, and a hair can no longer grow from it. Hair follows a unique growth cycle that involves resting, shedding, and growing periods. Recently removed hair that is in a resting phase will not be visible to the technician or laser, so a person may need to wait until it regrows before removing it. For most people, laser hair removal requires several treatments over the course of 2 to 3 months. Is laser hair removal permanent? Hair removal from a destroyed hair follicle is permanent. However, people who undergo hair removal can expect that some hair in the targeted area will grow back. Over time, it is possible to treat the area again to reduce the number of hairs that regrow. In some cases, it may even be possible to eliminate all hair. Whether or not hair grows back depends on numerous factors, including the type of hair that regrows and the skill of the person removing the hair. Most people find that when hair regrows, it is lighter and less noticeable than it was before. This is because the laser may damage the hair follicle even when it fails to destroy it. If a hair follicle is damaged but not destroyed, the hair will eventually regrow. It can be difficult to destroy every single hair follicle, so most people will see some hair regrowth. When hair regrows, it is possible to treat it again, so people who want to remove all the hair may need several treatments. In some cases, hair may be too light, too short, or resistant to treatment. In these cases, a person might choose to use other hair removal methods, such as plucking stray hairs. How long does laser hair removal last? Laser hair removal is permanent when the hair follicle is destroyed. When the hair follicle is only damaged, the hair will eventually regrow. The amount of time it takes for the hair to regrow depends on the person’s unique hair growth cycle. Some people have hair that grows more quickly than others. Hair that is in a resting phase will grow back more slowly than hair that is in another phase. Most people can expect some hair regrowth within a few months. Once this happens, they can opt for more removal treatments. Does skin or hair color make a difference? Hair removal works best on people with light complexions who have dark hair. This is because the pigment contrast makes it easier for the laser to target the hair, travel into the follicle, and destroy the follicle. People with dark skin or light hair may need more treatments than others and may find that more hair grows back. To permanently remove hair, the technician must know how to target the hair and choose the right type of laser. Research published in 2013 found that lasers that produce longer wavelengths work best on dark skin. Cost of laser hair removal According to 2017 statistics from the Melbourne Society of Plastic Surgeons, the average cost of a hair removal session is $293. Most people require multiple sessions, so people should talk to their treatment provider about how many sessions they will need to work out the overall cost. Because laser hair removal is almost always a cosmetic procedure, insurance is unlikely to cover it. The total cost of laser hair removal depends on several factors, including who performs the treatment. Skilled providers such as dermatologists and plastic surgeons may charge more but are less likely to cause injury or side effects. Other factors affecting the cost include: the number of treatments required how much hair regrows the number of hairs targeted the size of the area requiring treatment Removing a small amount of hair from a region such as the upper lip will cost less than removing hair from the entire leg. 4. The Best Time For Laser Hair Removal? Winters are eagerly awaited every year as you get to cover up in layers and relish a hot cup of coffee in your blankets while enjoying the chill in the air. As you are bundled up in the woollies, you can refrain from waxing and shaving, which makes it an ideal time to think about laser hair removal in Melbourne. The nippy weather is just the right time to take the plunge as you can stay away from the sun and be ready with a hair-free body by the time summer arrives.