What Is Laser Hair Removal Procedure?
This procedure uses laser to terminate hair follicles. The device used creates a heated light that tends to burn hair follicles. This exposure to laser reduces hair growth in the targeted region.
Benefits of Laser Hair Removal
You may ask yourself, are the benefits that come with this procedure eye-catching enough for you to spend your buck on. We shall go over that! People with sensitive skin will benefit tremendously from this procedure. If you have sensitive skin, you most likely suffer from skin irritation following shaving or waxing. Laser hair removal would give you smooth skin without you having to deal with those mentioned issues.
Laser hair removal is also a marvelous service for those tired of having to deal with ingrown hairs. It is extremely frustrating to see hair two days after shaving! This procedure would take care of that frustration by removing the hair from the roots.
Have you had enough of razor cuts? Have you been questioning the nature of your reality following getting burnt by your hot wax? If you want to avoid these two horrendous conditions, then that gives you another reason for wanting to seek laser treatment.
Speaking of using razors and hot wax, these two methods do not give you lasting results. Hair grows back quickly after shaving and most of us find that irritating. With laser removal, you will have weeks or months before hair reappears. Even after reappearance, your hair will be so much thinner. That would of course make shaving so much more convenient.
How to Prepare for Laser Hair Removal
Your mind is surely made up by now. Yes, you have decided to book yourself an appointment and give technology a chance. Are you now wondering how you are supposed to prepare for this procedure?
We will save you a few clicks. First of all, it is very important not to apply any lotion on the day of your appointment. The chemicals used in lotion products may irritate your skin and make it hypersensitive to the laser.
Make sure you have no sunburns on the area where the laser removal procedure is going to be focused. Also do not get a tan prior to your appointment. Avoid tanning three weeks prior to your appointment. Lasering a tanned area could cause pain, as well as damage to the skin.
It is crucial to shower before you arrive to your appointment. Clean skin would lead to better results. Also shave 24 hours before your session because the laser could target the hair above your skin and that could cause burns. It is all about having an easy experience. We do not want you to feel like you are being barbequed. Another thing worth mentioning is that it is recommended to wear comfortable clothing. The focused area needs to be accessible to your physician.
One last thing, go over your medical history with your physician prior to any procedural process. Your physician needs to know about all your medications because some of them could interfere with the procedure. Some medicines make your skin sensitive to the laser light and if you are on such medication, then it is recommended not to go through with this procedure.
What to Expect During Laser Hair Removal
Your mind may wonder what this procedure is like. Well, we are going to save you another set of clicks. First of, get ready to answer a lot of questions asked by your physician. He will go through your medical history with you. Following that, he will explain to you exactly how the procedure is done. Once that is done, he will ask you which area of your body you are looking to treat. Using a marker, you can indicate which part of your body you want your physician to focus on.
For the minor pain that this procedure is going to cause, your physician will apply some numbing gel on the focused areas. It will take about 30 minutes for the gel to become effective and immediately after that duration, the procedure will begin. It is required for everyone in the room of the treatment to wear protective gear. All the areas of the patient will be covered. The only exposed area will be the area of the focus. During the procedure, pain is going to be very minimal and almost all patients will comfortably complete their session without having to stop.
The duration of the treatment depends on the size of the area of focus. If the requested area is large, the treatment may take more than an hour to complete.
Recovery and Risks
Red spots and bumps may occur following a session, but they should not concern you as they will go away after a few hours. You will also feel swelling for a few hours following your session. Side-effects aside, what you will get following this procedure is an incredibly soft and delicate skin. Also, when your hair eventually grows back, it will be thinner and softer than before.
Following your procedure, avoid direct sunlight. Being exposed to sun will cause some burning sensations. It is recommended to keep outdoor activities to a minimum for some time after the procedure.
You should be able to see immediate results. You can expect a 10 to 25% reduction in hair following the first procedure. In order to see top-notch results, your physician may recommend to you to get between 3 to 6 hair laser removal sessions. As mentioned, in most cases people would not see excessive hair growth for months after their treatment.
With all laser treatments, come a number of risks. They are worth going over; however according to several studies done by the Journal of Cutaneous Medicine, laser hair removal does not bring any long-term health concerns. With that being said, we can go over a number of risks associated with laser therapy. Changes in skin color is something that you may experience following your procedure. For instance, if you have a lighter skin color you may see your skin turn dark to a certain degree. This should not be worrying because in most cases the color of the skin bounces back after some time. Picking up an eye injury could be another risk that comes with laser therapy. If your physician is working on your face, the laser may end up damaging the eye. This happens if the physician loses the control of the device. The chances of such an accident happening are very low. In almost all laser therapy sessions, both the patient and the physician wear protective eye equipment to prevent such injuries. Risk of burning is also involved as the device creates a heated light. If the device malfunctions, the skin of the patient may get damaged as a result.
With the device malfunctioning or your physician making an error, the risk of receiving a scar arises as well. If heat gets concentrated on a single spot for longer than needed, the skin may contain permanent damage. Scar is usually a sign of permanent damage in such cases. Another major risk associated with laser therapy is the possibility of getting skin infection. Damaging hair follicles may result in infection. If signs of an infection are spotted following a hair removal procedure, the person involved needs to contact his physician immediately.
Costs of Laser Hair Removal
In terms of how much money you may need to book your session, the answer depends on your situation. Smaller areas of focus would cost less than larger areas. For instance, receiving work on arm sections or face cost less than receiving treatment on areas such as legs or back. The number of sessions required for your case is another driving factor. To receive full benefits, your physician will recommend you get 6 sessions; however, the standard number of sessions receive is three. In the city of Toronto, the cost can reach up to $150 to $400 per session. It is important to mention that this procedure is considered a cosmetic practice so a government-based insurance would not cover it. Some work placements do provide funds for cosmetic procedures. Do check your work insurance to see if such a treatment is covered.
Let the team of experts at NewM Clinic be the key to your ideal skin appearance. They have done this for years and guarantee impeccable results. Read more about Laser Hair Removal procedure on NewM Clinic website!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Is laser hair removal painful?
You may experience minor discomfort for several days after the treatment. The treatment itself is pain free.
How many hair removal sessions are needed for a complete campaign?
Generally, two to six sessions are needed in order completely get rid of hair.
What areas of the body can be treated by laser hair therapy?
All the areas of the body can be treated by laser therapy.