Laser Hair Removal Pretoria: What To Expect During An Appointment
For some of the best laser hair removal Pretoria has to offer, look no further than NuSkinnovation. Aesthetic treatments have developed at a staggering pace over the course of the past few decades. There are treatments available to heal or remedy a number of common skin- or beauty-related issues such as hyperpigmentation, sagging skin, and varicose veins. One of the most popular treatments is laser hair removal.
Lasers have proven invaluable in helping to remove unwanted hair from areas such as legs, arms, backs, and other parts of the body – even intimate areas!
Lasers work by targeting dark and coarse hair, and results can be seen in three to seven sessions. While some areas such as the face or underarm may be treated in as little as 10 minutes, larger areas such as the back or chest may take longer. If you are looking for laser hair removal in Pretoria, keep reading to learn a little more about NuSkinnovation as well as what to expect during a hair removal procedure.
What To Expect During Laser Hair Removal: Pretoria
Shortly before your laser hair removal in Pretoria, the hair in the targeted area is shortened to just a few millimetres long. A local anaesthetic is applied to numb the area, and this can take between 20 minutes and half an hour to take effect.
Your laser hair removal Pretoria treatment specialist will adjust the laser to accommodate your specific hair colour, thickness, and the colour of your skin. Depending on the sort of laser used, both you and the treatment specialist may wear protective eyewear.
In addition, the outer layer of the skin should be protected with cold gels or special cooling devices. This makes it easier for the laser light to penetrate the skin. The laser hair removal Pretoria treatment specialist will shine a light on the treatment area every so often to ensure everything is proceeding as normal.
Once the procedure is complete, you may be given an ice pack, anti-inflammatory cream or lotion, or cold water to help ease any discomfort.
Typically, your next session will be booked four to six weeks after the last.
Laser Hair Removal Pretoria: How It Works
Laser hair removal is a medical procedure that uses a focused beam of light, also referred to as a laser, to remove unwanted hair.
During a laser hair removal Pretoria session, the light emitted by the laser is absorbed by the melanin in the hair. Melanin is the pigment in skin and hair that is responsible for its colouring. The light energy from the laser is then converted to heat, which is targeted to heat and causes damage to the skin’s hair follicles, also called tubular sacs. This damage then inhibits the follicles from growing hair in future, but the process is gradual.
Laser hair removal slows hair growth for a long time, but it usually does not result in permanent hair removal. Multiple laser hair removal Pretoria treatments are required for the first hair removal, and maintenance treatments may be required. Laser hair removal works best for people with fair skin and dark body hair, but it works well for all skin types.
After a day or two, the treated skin area will look and feel sunburned. Cold compresses and moisturizers can help. If your facial treatment is complete, you can start wearing makeup the next day as long as your skin is not blistered.
The treated hair falls out the following month. For the next month, apply sunscreen to prevent temporary discolouration of the treated skin. Blisters are rare but more common in people with darker skin tones.
Hair colour and skin type affect the success of laser hair removal. The basic principle is that hair pigment absorbs light, but skin pigment does not. The laser should only damage the hair follicles while avoiding damage to the skin. Therefore, contrasting hair and skin colours (dark hair and light skin) produce the best results.
The risk of skin damage increases when hair and skin colour contrast is low. However, advancements in laser technology have made laser hair removal an option even for people with darker skin tones. Laser hair removal is less effective on hair colours that do not absorb light well.
How To Prepare For A Laser Hair Removal: Pretoria
Laser hair removal is more than just “pinching” unwanted hair. This is a medical procedure that requires training and has potential risks. Before deciding to undergo laser hair removal, you should thoroughly check the qualifications of the doctor or technician performing the procedure.
If you plan to have laser hair removal, you should avoid plucking, waxing, and electro-epilation for six weeks prior to treatment. Since the laser targets the hair root, it is temporarily removed by waxing or plucking. Also, avoid sun exposure for about six weeks before and after treatment. Sun exposure makes laser hair removal less effective and increases the chances of post-treatment complications.
Your laser hair removal Pretoria treatment specialist should give you detailed preparation instructions before your appointment. Following these instructions will improve the effectiveness of the procedure and reduce the risk of side effects. Here are some general recommendations.
- Avoid the sun until a few days before the procedure.
- Do not perform laser hair removal on tanned skin.
- Avoid skin irritation, such as waxing and tweezing the targeted area.
- Avoid taking anti-inflammatory drugs such as aspirin, which can increase bleeding.
- Do not perform this procedure if you have an active infection such as cold sores or a bacterial skin infection.
What To Expect After Laser Hair Removal: Pretoria
Recovery time after the procedure is minimal, and most patients can return to normal life immediately after. Just as important as applying sunscreen before your treatment is applying sunscreen after your treatment. This will help prevent further inflammation.
Immediately after the treatment, you can expect a reduction in hair in the treatment area. Two to eight weeks after laser hair removal Pretoria treatment, you may notice increased hair growth in the treated area. The reason is that not all hair follicles respond to lasers the same way. Most patients experience 10-25% hair loss after the first treatment. Permanent hair removal usually requires three to eight sessions.
The Benefits Of Laser Hair Removal: Pretoria
Laser hair removal is a long-term solution. While it is not a permanent solution, the effects of laser hair removal can last when annual maintenance sessions are booked after the initial set of sessions is concluded.
Here are the other benefits of laser hair removal in Pretoria:
Requires less maintenance than other options: Shaving to remove body hair should be done every few days, and options such as waxing and threading last about four weeks. Laser hair removal, on the other hand, typically requires 4-6 sessions and occasional maintenance in the future.
No downtime required: Laser hair removal may cause your skin to become slightly red and swollen, but you can usually return to normal activities after the procedure. There is no downtime as it is non-invasive. The only thing you shouldn’t do is expose yourself to the sun too soon or use a tanning bed or sunlamp.
It will save you money over time: The initial cost of laser hair removal is higher than, say, buying a razor or shaving cream, but it pays for itself over time. Laser hair removal significantly reduces unwanted hair and does not require regular care such as shaving or waxing. So, once you pay the initial fee, you don’t have to pay any more.
Who Can Get Laser Hair Removal?
Anyone with excessive body hair can undergo laser hair removal. It is usually a cosmetic procedure. It can improve your appearance and self-image. Many people prefer not having to shave regularly. In some cases, laser hair removal can treat excess hair growth caused by:
- Hirsutism – a condition in which excess hair grows anywhere on a man’s or woman’s body, or other conditions caused by certain drugs and medications such as birth control pills or anabolic steroids.
- Hormonal imbalances can also cause denser and faster hair growth, especially in women. These imbalances can result in conditions such as polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS).
Laser hair removal works best for people with dark, dark hair and fair skin. The contrast between skin tone and hair colour makes it easier for hair to absorb heat. It may not work well for people with blond, grey, white, or red hair.
NuSkinnovation’s Pretoria treatment specialists will be able to help determine how viable laser hair removal is for you.
Who Should Not Get Laser Hair Removal?
Please consult your doctor before undergoing laser hair removal. You may not be suitable for this treatment if:
- You are pregnant.
- If you are currently on acne medications, such as Accutane. These medications can thin the skin, increasing the chances of complication in an otherwise standard laser hair removal treatment session.
- You are prone to cold sores or have been diagnosed with herpes HSV-2.
- You have keloid scarring in the area you wish to have lasered.
- You are currently battling skin cancer or have been diagnosed with it in the past.
Does Laser Hair Removal Hurt?
Laser hair removal aims to attack the hair follicle with a small, highly heated laser beam. You may not feel the heat, but you may feel a rubber band tearing your skin. After the treatment, there may be a slight discomfort such as redness and irritation similar to light sunburn.
This procedure may be somewhat painful. The degree of pain depends on the part of the body undergoing laser hair removal. The more sensitive your skin is, the more likely it is that you will experience pain. To minimize pain, your treatment specialist may apply an anaesthetic cream to your skin before the procedure. Depending on the body part and pain tolerance, a numbing cream may not be needed at all.
Laser hair removal does not target skin areas near the orifices. This includes nose and ear hair as well as the genital area. Most side effects associated with laser hair removal are mild and occur after the procedure. These include:
- Redness
- Swelling
- Hyperpigmentation
- Increased risk of sunburn
Overuse of numbing cream can have life-threatening side effects. Talk to your laser hair removal Pretoria somatologist about the benefits and risks of using an anaesthetic cream, especially if you have multiple treatments. Overall, numbing creams are considered safe when used in small amounts on small areas of the body and applied by a professional.
You can also consider using different types of lasers for hair loss treatment. An older study found that alexandrite lasers tended to be less painful with or without anaesthesia. It is also important to have laser hair removal done by a licensed professional. Using home laser kits may reduce pain, but there is no guarantee that they are safe or effective for hair removal.
Laser Hair Removal Pretoria: NuSkinnovation
At NuSkinnovation, we believe in not only maintaining your beauty but healing it from the inside. From laser hair removal treatments to skin rejuvenation and tattoo removal, we have you covered. Our trained and professional treatment specialists take their time to understand your concerns and will recommend an appropriate treatment to help you feel your best.
Reach out to us for a consultation today, or simply to discuss any questions you have surrounding our treatments. We hope to hear from you!
