Laser for hair removal is a revolutionary way of achieving long-term hair reduction, helping you save plenty of time, money and hassle in the long run. However, it’s important to know that there are many ways for you to optimise the effectiveness of this incredible treatment, increasing not only the effectiveness of your hair removal treatment, but also making the entire process safer and more comfortable.
In this article, we’ll be providing you with all the essential tips and tricks for your laser for hair removal procedure, covering necessary and beneficial methods to apply before, during and after your treatment to achieve the best results you possibly can.
Is Laser For Hair Removal Right For You?
Are you tired of constantly needing to re-apply short term solutions to hair removal like waxing, shaving, threading or depilatory creams? Are these methods regularly irritating your skin and causing issues like skin sensitivity, redness and ingrown hairs? Are you looking for a hassle-free, long-term solution that provides reliable and effective hair removal and saves you costs in the long run? If you’ve said yes to all the above, then laser for hair removal is the right option for you.
However, there’s one practical consideration that you need to keep in mind. Laser for hair removal therapy uses a beam of focused light that targets the pigment in our hair, heating it up and destroying the surrounding follicle without causing the surrounding tissue any damage. People with lighter and finer hair, however, have less or none of these pigments, making it impossible for the laser to target the hair. Previously, darker skin tones would also not be as effective with this process, but developments in laser hair removal technology have helped us overcome this issue. That being said, laser hair removal works best on those with dark, thick hair. If you have blonde, white or light red hair, this treatment will unfortunately not be as effective.
Another consideration that you need to be aware of is that undergoing laser for hair removal results in long-term hair reduction, not permanent hair removal, and will thus require the occasional maintenance session. Although these touch-ups will be few and far between, making it a radically more convenient option than traditional short-term solutions.
Making Laser Hair Removal More Effective
There are several steps you can take before your laser hair removal session to ensure that the treatment is as effective as possible. The first is to entirely stop waxing, plucking or threading the area you plan on getting laser treated. These methods work by stripping the hair follicle from the skin, which can negatively affect the results of your laser treatment.
This is because laser treatment works by targeting and burning out the follicle, which cannot be achieved if it has already been removed. Shaving, however, does not remove the follicle, and makes the hair removal process easier, which is why it is recommended pre-treatment.
You’ll also want to ensure that the area you’re treating with laser is completely clean on the day of your laser session. Be sure to remove any creams, oils, makeup and deodorant on the area with a gentle soap, water and a cloth, but make sure the area is dry by the time you start treatment. Any of these aforementioned substances can not only interfere with the effectiveness of the treatment, but also cause you accidental harm.
Making Laser For Hair Removal Safer/Less Painful
Prior to treatment, you should ensure that your skin is not excessively sun damaged. Exposure to UV rays will cause your skin to produce more melanin pigments, which darkens your skin; a technical description of what we refer to as ‘tanning.’ The issue is that the laser beam used in the hair removal procedure will interact with these pigments, not only making the hair removal process less effective but also leading to the risks of burns, blistering and irritation. If you do need to step out into the sun before your treatment, be sure to use a good (30+ SPF) sunscreen and wear sun protective clothing and a hat.
Be sure to avoid applying any skincare products that can harm or irritate the skin, such as exfoliating acids, retinol, bleaching creams or any self-tanning products. These products can irritate your skin or cause it to react to laser therapy in unforeseen and largely unpleasant ways. The same goes for certain medications, as these can increase your sensitivity to laser therapy, and should be looked out for. Additionally, both coffee and alcohol can make your skin more sensitive to the effects of the laser, so you’ll want to start abstaining from these around 24 hours before treatment.
Choosing The Right Clinic To Do Laser For Hair Removal
It is incredibly important that you make an informed decision on which clinic to visit to have your laser hair removal procedure done. By choosing the right clinic, you’ll be able to achieve far better results at a faster rate and with much less hassle.
If the technicians performing the treatment aren’t properly trained, attentive or are bearing the incorrect equipment, you could incur injuries and serious side effects from laser hair removal therapy. This can result in burns, blistering, discolouration and even scarification. To avoid this, book your laser treatment at a trusted laser clinic with plenty of good reviews, such as NuSkinnovation.
Our clinics are an excellent choice for your laser hair for removal treatments. We are staffed with passionate, skilled technicians with many years of training and experience who are equipped with cutting-edge laser technology. On top of this, we are devoted to constantly innovating our practice to make our treatments not only more effective, but safer and more convenient for our clients. No matter how unique your needs are, NuSkinnovations is ready to offer a tailor-made solution just for you. Feel free to browse our many glowing reviews from past and returning customers.
During Treatment: Be Consistent With Your Laser Hair Removal Sessions
Most laser hair removal treatments will require multiple sessions to complete, especially when targeting larger areas like the legs, arms or back. Based on your unique concerns, the clinic will set out a specific schedule for when to return for your next treatment and how long you should wait between treatments. This schedule is very important to adhere to if you want to optimise the effectiveness of your treatment’s results.
Scheduling is crucial when it comes to laser for hair removal as laser specialists treat your hair according to your hair growth cycle. The specialist targets hairs whilst they’re in the anagen stage, also called the growth phase. However, not all hairs are in this stage at the same time, and thus multiple sessions are required to treat the hairs while in this stage. Skipping or delaying sessions will allow hair to regrow, making the treatment less effective overall.
By sticking to your schedule, you’ll be reducing the total number of sessions required, avoiding patchy or incomplete results, improving long-term hair removal results and saving yourself money in the long run.
Communicating Sensitivity Levels
No matter what, you should always feel comfortable telling your hair removal technician what your sensitivity levels are. Your comfort level is an important consideration, and for that alone it will be treated as a serious concern. Moreover, excessive pain or discomfort might be an indicator that something is not aligning with the treatment, such as medication, alcohol, skincare products or sun exposure affecting the process.
If a technician suspects that there’s something interfering with the laser hair removal process that might negatively affect you, they will immediately stop and find a workaround. Take note that most describe laser hair removal as feeling only mildly uncomfortable, like a slight burning or snapping sensation.
If you’re still feeling uncomfortable and have ruled out the presence of any harmful interference or issue, feel free to communicate this with your technician and they will happily apply a cooling or numbing cream to the treatment area to reduce any discomfort. This can be regularly reapplied during treatment if needed. Additionally, taking an over-the-counter pain medication before treatment won’t interfere with the process at all, and patients are encouraged to do so if they feel it necessary.
Aftercare: Laser For Hair Removal
An important aspect of optimising results of laser for hair removal is to engage in proper aftercare, which will also help reduce discomfort. Much like your pre-treatment preparation, you should do your best to avoid exposure to the sun, wearing protective clothing and a strong sunscreen. You’ll also want to avoid any excessive heat, so keep your showers and baths lukewarm while avoiding saunas or intense exercise, as sweat can also irritate your freshly-lasered skin.
Be sure to wait a while before exfoliating, and do so gently, avoiding any rough scrubbing or strong skincare products until the skin has fully healed. To help soothe your skin and keep it moisturised, use a gentle moisturiser like aloe vera gel and drink plenty of water to stay hydrated. Freely apply a cold compress to any areas that feel particularly uncomfortable. Wear loose clothing that doesn’t chafe, irritate or prevent the healing of your skin in any way. Avoid waxing, tweezing or epilating the affected area, as this will only irritate the skin further.
In Conclusion
Laser for hair removal therapy is an incredibly effective and safe way to achieve long-lasting hair reduction that’s hassle free, reliable and affordable in the long run. As you’ve read, there are several ways to optimise the effectiveness of this treatment before, during and after the procedure itself. Whether it be avoiding the sun, steering clear of harsh skincare products, refraining from traditional hair removal methods or avoiding certain substances, you’ll be setting yourself up for a treatment that works for you.
Remember to stick to the session schedule set out to you by your laser specialist and feel free to express your sensitivity levels to your technician. After treatment, there are a number of aftercare steps you can take to ensure your skin heals properly and comfortably, including avoiding the sun, moisturising properly and avoiding irritating skincare products, clothing or hair removal treatments.
If you’d like to experience smooth, hairless skin performed by expert laser technicians, look no further than NuSkinnovation. Book your first appointment with us today to keep your skin silky smooth and free of pesky hairs.