5 Things You Need to Know About Laser Hair Removal
The days of razor burns and ingrown hairs are officially over! These days, shaving is a thing of the past. That’s because laser hair removal is one of the best and most convenient ways to remove your body hair.
If you’ve heard about laser treatment and you’re considering booking a session, there are some things you should know first. So we’ve compiled a list of the five most important things you need to know before undergoing laser hair removal treatments.
It’s a Quick Process
When you think about zapping each hair follicle with a laser, you probably assume that it takes hours to finish each area. But that isn’t the case.
Though the duration of sessions will vary depending on the client and the treated area, sessions usually don’t go for much longer than an hour. Typically, only large areas take this long. Smaller areas such as the bikini line and armpits can take as little as ten minutes, while the upper lip may only take two or three.
It’s Not Too Painful
People often wonder, does laser hair removal hurt? Luckily, pain and discomfort are minimal with laser treatment. Most people compare the sensation to a rubber band flicked against their skin.
If you have a low pain threshold there are also precautions you can take. For example, topical numbing creams can be brought from most pharmacies, and will significantly reduce the sensations you feel during treatment.
You Should Shave the Area Beforehand
Your practitioner will advise you to shave the area you want to treat 24 hours before your session. That's because the laser will be able to locate your hair follicles easier if you are close-shaven.
If hair is present it may disrupt the path of the laser, wasting energy and making the laser treatment less efficient. Also, if your body hair is too long it can be burned and singed by the laser. These are all things you want to avoid, and shaving 24 hours before treatment is the best way to do that.
You Shouldn’t Tweeze or Wax In-Between Sessions
Now that you know you need to shave before a session, you might be tempted to tweeze, epilate, or wax your hairs instead. But this is something you need to avoid if you’re considering laser hair removal.
The laser machine works because it targets the melanin in the roots of your hair follicle. That's because it's the roots of your hair that make the treatment effective. Hair removal techniques like tweezing and waxing remove the hair completely, so the laser won’t be able to target the follicle, and treatment will be largely ineffective.
You Should Avoid Sun Exposure
For two weeks preceding your session you should keep out of the sun, as excess UV exposure can make your skin more sensitive than normal. This type of sensitivity can put you at risk of hyperpigmentation, burns, and scarring. Make sure to wear sufficient sunscreen with a high SPF if you do need to be out in the sun.
These same precautions apply to the two weeks following treatment. Sun exposure may disrupt the healing process, taking longer for your skin to heal and leaving it open to possible hyperpigmentation.
Book an Appointment Today
Laser hair removal is a safe treatment, as long as you take the necessary precautions. Pay attention to the preparation and aftercare advice that your laser technician gives you. If you have any concerns about the laser hair removal process, you will be able to discuss this in-depth with your practitioner before undergoing any treatment.
If you’re interested in laser hair removal treatment in Newmarket, ON, Balsam Spa has everything you need. Our skilled and experienced team will make sure you get the best laser treatment, using top-of-the-line equipment in a comfortable and peaceful environment. To book an appointment you can call us at +1-905-895-7777 or fill in our contact form.
