What one needs to know about laser hair removal
Removal of hair is a common treatment that people do so that they can have smooth arms or legs that are hair free. Among the methods that one uses to remove hair is laser treatment. It is a procedure done by a doctor with the use of a laser to damage the follicle of the hair. The damage to the hair follicle slows down the growth of hair though it is not a guarantee that it is a permanent hair removal method. One may need to do multiple laser hair elimination treatments so that they have long hair free periods. Here is what one needs to know about laser hair removal.
Laser hair removal
Treatment locations
The laser hair treatment is done on legs, upper lip, a bikini line, underarms, and chin. One may also have this treatment in any place they want to remove hair but it is not advised to do the laser treatment on the eyelid and the surrounding areas of the eye. This is because it may cause severe damage to the eye.
Factors determining the success
Onces hair color and skin type. The people who have lighter skin but dark hair have higher success rate when it comes to this type of treatment. This is mainly because the laser targets melanin. However, advancements are being made to this treatment so that even dark-skinned people can enjoy it. Those with lighter hair also do not have successful treatment since the lack of melanin makes it difficult for the hair to be seen by the laser.
Side effects
Not permanent hair removal
The one main thing that one should note is that this is not a solution to permanent hair removal. Some hair is normally resistant to treatment which makes it grow again though it becomes lighter and finer. The other common side effects are.
Skin irritation
This is a temporary discomfort which makes the skin red and swollen. The good thing is that it only lasts a few hours later.
Pigment changes
The skin around the area of treatment may cause the skin to lighten or darken. For those with darker skin, they may suffer from temporary skin lightening if a correct laser setting was not done.
Other side effects
In rare cases, the laser treatment may cause crusting, scarring and blistering among other skin changes. For some people, they experience excessive growth of hair around the treated area.
Preparation for the treatment
When it comes to going for the treatment, one should look for a doctor who is specialized and certified to do such treatment. One should be cautious of the spas and other salons which offer this kind of treatment and done by no-medical persons. One should have a pre-treatment appointment with the doctor to review their medical history, discuss the risks and benefits. One may also take photos for before and after so that they review the results of the treatment.
One may also be advised to stay out of the sun so that they do not get the tan. One should also avoid waxing, plucking or doing electrolysis since this may disrupt the process.
After the treatment, one should avoid sun exposure and even when the skin heals use sunscreen when out in the sun. Hair shedding may also occur which is normally confused for regrowth.
Removal of hair is a common treatment that people do so that they can have smooth arms or legs that are hair free. Among the methods that one uses to remove hair is laser treatment. It is a procedure done by a doctor with the use of a laser to damage the follicle of the hair. The damage to the hair follicle slows down the growth of hair though it is not a guarantee that it is a permanent hair removal method. One may need to do multiple laser hair elimination treatments so that they have long hair free periods. Here is what one needs to know about laser hair removal.
Laser hair removal
Treatment locations
The laser hair treatment is done on legs, upper lip, a bikini line, underarms, and chin. One may also have this treatment in any place they want to remove hair but it is not advised to do the laser treatment on the eyelid and the surrounding areas of the eye. This is because it may cause severe damage to the eye.
Factors determining the success
Onces hair color and skin type. The people who have lighter skin but dark hair have higher success rate when it comes to this type of treatment. This is mainly because the laser targets melanin. However, advancements are being made to this treatment so that even dark-skinned people can enjoy it. Those with lighter hair also do not have successful treatment since the lack of melanin makes it difficult for the hair to be seen by the laser.
Side effects
Not permanent hair removal
The one main thing that one should note is that this is not a solution to permanent hair removal. Some hair is normally resistant to treatment which makes it grow again though it becomes lighter and finer. The other common side effects are.
Skin irritation
This is a temporary discomfort which makes the skin red and swollen. The good thing is that it only lasts a few hours later.
Pigment changes
The skin around the area of treatment may cause the skin to lighten or darken. For those with darker skin, they may suffer from temporary skin lightening if a correct laser setting was not done.
Other side effects
In rare cases, the laser treatment may cause crusting, scarring and blistering among other skin changes. For some people, they experience excessive growth of hair around the treated area.
Preparation for the treatment
When it comes to going for the treatment, one should look for a doctor who is specialized and certified to do such treatment. One should be cautious of the spas and other salons which offer this kind of treatment and done by no-medical persons. One should have a pre-treatment appointment with the doctor to review their medical history, discuss the risks and benefits. One may also take photos for before and after so that they review the results of the treatment.
One may also be advised to stay out of the sun so that they do not get the tan. One should also avoid waxing, plucking or doing electrolysis since this may disrupt the process.
After the treatment, one should avoid sun exposure and even when the skin heals use sunscreen when out in the sun. Hair shedding may also occur which is normally confused for regrowth.