Laser Hair Removal Is It Really Worth It?

Aesthetic services have been around the market for a long time now. These services are focused on enhancing the physical appearance of clients. Cosmetic imperfections cause some people to worry about how they look and seek  out treatments that would help them be free from these. One of the most sought-out services in the industry deals with the removal of unwanted hair. There are different treatment methods that have been developed, but laser hair removal has been gaining popularity for the past few years. This aesthetic treatment will be discussed more in this article. In addition, you will find out why undergoing such treatment is worth the expense, time, and effort.

Removal Of Unwanted Hair

Hair is known to grow in almost any part of a human’s body. Having a higher volume of hair in some of these parts is ideal for most people. The appearance of full hair on the top of the head is usually what people wish to attain. However, there are also areas that some people feel should not show hair since it would not be aesthetically pleasing. For women, having hair on areas such as the leg, face, underarm, arm, chin, leg, and the bikini line is not so ideal.

Women lean towards having smoother skin because this makes them feel more beautiful. Unwanted hair does not pose any lethal threats to a person. This is why it is considered to be a cosmetic imperfection. Cosmetic imperfections usually have a negative psychological impact on some people. Some women have lower self-esteem when unwanted hair on some parts of their bodies is seen by the people around them. This is why the aesthetics industry has developed various types of treatments that may be fulfilled personally or can be done by licensed and trained experts.

Traditional Treatment Methods For Hair Removal

Even though newer technologies have been developed to solve the issues of having unwanted hair, the traditional treatment methods are still being used at present. Results using these treatments do not last for long periods of time. Some of these methods are quick fixes, while others may cause accidents if administered improperly. You may refer below to some of the common traditional ways of dealing with unwanted hair:

Shaving

o   This is the most accessible treatment method. People can do this treatment by themselves as long as they are able to reach the areas that have unwanted hair. The sharpness of a blade or razor is crucial. A blade or razor that has lost its sharpness can leave negative effects on your skin. There is a possibility that the shaved areas would show red spots, which are usually caused by ingrown hair. This would result in both an unpleasant appearance and discomfort due to the fact that ingrown hair causes irritation to the skin. The worst case scenario is that you might cut yourself while in the process of shaving.

Plucking or tweezing

o   This method is known to be painful and is not advised for a person that has sensitive skin. If you are in a hurry, and there are a few strands of unwanted hair, then you can pluck them out as long as you are ready to feel some pain. However, larger areas with unwanted hair should not be solved by plucking. Some people are not familiar with how plucking really works. Sometimes the entire hair is not removed because you may have pulled it against its grain. This can cause ingrown hair, which is the last thing you would like to happen.

Waxing

o   This is a method that is offered to be done by professionals. However, you can also do this by yourself, but you may find it difficult to achieve the best result possible. This treatment involves applying wax on the areas with unwanted hair and pulling them off. This is usually a painful method. People with low pain thresholds should not go with this option. If you are using hot wax, then you must be careful that the wax is not too hot, or you will burn your skin. You may get an infection after having your body waxed.

Depilatory creams

o   These are also known as hair removal creams. You need to be cautious of the type of cream that you are using. There are creams made specifically for some types of hair, like the pubic hair. You should not apply these to your face. This treatment involves the cream dissolving the hair shaft. You should always follow the instructions made by the manufacturer as using depilatory creams can burn your skin. Since this is a chemical-based product, it may cause irritations and discomfort.

Drug-related treatment

o   The results of the traditional treatment methods can last for a few days or up to a few weeks. Some people may want to prolong the growth of unwanted hair. They can inquire from doctors so that they may be given prescription medicines that are designed to slow down the growth of hair.

Modern Treatment Method: Laser Hair Removal

Traditional treatment methods have results that usually do not last for long periods of time. This would mean that for people who wish to keep their unwanted hair from constantly showing up, they will have to go through the pain and the risks of infection and other side effects on a regular basis. Technology has developed a more suitable treatment which involves the use of a laser. In this type of treatment method, concentrated beams of light are focused on the unwanted hair so that the light can penetrate into the hair follicle. The light is then absorbed by the pigment in the air follicle, which would result in the destruction of the hair bulb. When the hair follicle is damaged or destroyed, then the hair growth cycle is significantly delayed.

The Process Of Laser Hair Removal

The treatment method requires a highly-trained and licensed professional who is trained with handling laser technology in the hair removal treatment process. Before you go for a laser hair removal treatment, you will need to consult with the medical spa’s resident physician to determine if you are allowed to undergo the treatment process. One of the cases in which you may not be eligible to undergo treatment is that you are pregnant. Another case is if a person is hypersensitive to light. People with lupus, pellagra, keloid scars, vitiligo, and cold sores should be evaluated first by a doctor. If you have been given the signal to proceed with treatment, you may refer to the common steps followed during the treatment process below:

•       Before the day of your scheduled treatment, the doctor may give you specific instructions as preparation for your laser treatment. You may be advised to avoid sun exposure. You may be advised to avoid undergoing other types of hair removal treatments at least a month before your schedule. Before the day of your treatment, you may be required to trim and shave so that the laser will not be affected by any hair above the skin.
•       The doctor will apply a topical anesthetic so that you may not feel any discomfort during the procedure. You will also be provided with special goggles to protect your eyes from the laser beam.
•       The doctor starts the treatment by pressing a handheld laser apparatus to your skin. In most cases, there is a cooling device on the tip of the laser apparatus so that your skin will not get burned by the heat energy produced by the apparatus. You may feel different types of sensations like getting pricked by a pin and the effect of the cooling device or cold gel on the apparatus.
•       Small areas of the body may take the doctor a few minutes to treat. Larger areas, on the other hand, may take more than an hour to finish.
•       Some redness and swelling may be seen for the first few hours after your treatment. Since it is a relatively safe treatment method, you can continue with your schedule for the day. You just have to make sure that you avoid the sunlight or any tanning devices for at least six weeks. You may be advised to apply sunscreen on a daily basis.
•       The treatment usually requires you to undergo treatment for two to six times. For areas that have hair that grows quicker, you may be asked to come back every 4 to 8 weeks. For areas with slow hair growth, you may be required to return for subsequent treatments every 12 to 16 weeks.

Laser Hair Removal Produces Long-Lasting Results

You may wonder why there is a need for subsequent treatments and that there is still unwanted hair on the treated areas. You must understand that hair does not fall out immediately. They usually take a few days or weeks. Subsequent treatments are needed so that the laser can target hair follicles that are in the new-growth stage. The main reason why this treatment is worth the cost and time is because results can last for months, and may even reach more than a year. Even though hair naturally grows back, after you go through a laser treatment, there is a big chance that the new hair that will grow back will be finer and lighter. If you wish to consult with our team of experts with regards to laser hair removal, you may contact Solea Medical Spa & Beauty Lounge at 305-932-2555.