Laser hair removal is the semi-permanent way of removing or significantly lessening hair growth on the body. For many people, it’s the method of choice for removing unwanted body hair as it ultimately provides the most hassle-free experience. Unlike shaving, waxing, or plucking, you won’t have to repeatedly do it every week for years on end.
It’s expected to grow to a $1,378.4-million-dollar industry worldwide. And every year, the market continues to grow, introducing new developments and techniques. Many Australian clinics showcase the latest advancements in laser hair removal and use updated laser hair removal machines for better effects.
The Basics of Laser Hair Removal: What Happens?
Using high-heat laser beams (which can come in varying wavelengths depending on the type of laser used), radiation is applied onto the skin, targeting the melanin and follicles.
The laser’s heat is designed to damage the follicles, which prevents or discourages them from growing. These follicles are found just beneath the skin surface and are responsible for hair growth. Once they’re destroyed, your hair growth in that area gets disabled, if not permanently, then at least temporarily.
This method is far more direct and preventative than plucking and shaving, which only remove the hair above the skin. Because the lasers destroy the hair follicles beneath the skin, there would be nothing growing there, and therefore, nothing to pluck and shave.
What Happens During the Procedure?
How powerful are these lasers? These laser hair removal machines are considered some of the most advanced hair removal tools in the skincare industry. You need adequate preparation from the clinic staff before you proceed to make sure that your skin stays safe.
The treatment area is first thoroughly cleansed. Because the lasers deal with high heat, some sensitive patients, especially in the high-pain regions of the body, will need numbing gel. It won’t affect how the lasers attack your follicles; you are simply being made more comfortable.
The treatment itself takes place in a closed room specially dedicated to the procedure. This is a precautionary measure against the power of the laser. Everyone in it must wear protective eyewear to make sure that they don’t get eye damage from the brilliance of the laser.
Now the skin gets pulled taut. It’s similar to how it gets pulled tight during waxing and epilating procedure.The laser flickers over the body in small, highly rapid bursts, explicitly targeted to a specific area.
For most patients, the laser feels like hot pinpricks flickering over the skin. And because of the laser’s heat, don’t be surprised if there is the smell of burning hair or skin. It’s simply the laser doing its job. Depending on how large the patch of skin being treated is, it may take an hour of treatment.
What Happens After?
There is a short recovery time involved, although it does not constitute as actual “downtime.” However, it would be best to cover your recently-lasered area as it will be very sensitive for a while. You can’t expose the area to the sun, use tanning beds and sun lamps, or undergo similar radiation exposure.
You may experience redness and some swelling. This is considered normal and should go away quickly, allowing you to return to daily activities without issue. If you have dark skin, you may also experience temporary changes in skin colour in the area.
The Need-To-Knows of Laser Hair Removal
- Laser hair removal works best for people with darker hair on lighter skin tones. The lasers can do their job more effectively. Depending on the type of laser used and the wavelength of the laser applied, the procedure can be more effective compared to others.
- You may find that you shed some hair during the initial process, meaning you’ll still grow hair in the area, but it would naturally fall off. Most laser hair removal treatments require multiple sessions to disable your hair follicles from growing back again altogether.
- Follow-up sessions are typically spaced with a six-week interval each to get the most out of the procedure. For people with particularly thick hair in that area, repeat sessions are critical.
- Patience is the most crucial part. It may take two to three weeks before you see a difference in your skin following the first treatment. And the full results won’t come until eight to twelve passes of the laser later.
Get Professional Hair Removal Consultations from Specialists
Get the most out of your laser hair removal through well-versed specialists who understand the procedure and how to heighten its effectiveness according to your skin and hair type. By knowing the ins and outs of laser hair removal, you enjoy the fullest benefits and say goodbye to hair in unwanted areas.
Not sure about the type of laser hair removal procedure you need? Contact us today for a consultation, or look through the range of hair removal treatment options.
