All About Laser Hair Removal Treatment

By Ishleen

Hair free, now pain free?  Yes, please!

When was the last time you girlies had to endure the distressing pain of waxing and tweezing and plucking? It is DEVASTATING! Okay! Maybe devastating is too harsh a word! But you got my point, right? It is upsetting. Be it a full body waxing session, a facial wax or a bikini wax, the very thought of getting my hair torn apart from my body makes me cringe. And if treatments like the laser treatment, that we are going to talk about today, come to our rescue, I would personally call it a SAVIOUR.

Thanks to the ever growing field of technology, beautifying yourself has become much more convenient and hassle-free. This is where comes handy the oh-so-famous LASER HAIR REMOVAL therapy. Agreed, it is a typically, not-so-pocket-friendly treatment that we are talking about. But if you have that extra credit to splurge, then why not!

TYPES OF LASER TREATMENTS AVAILABLE:

Permanent hair removal through laser beams has been getting popular over the past few decades. Many of us do not know, what exactly is all this about. So here, let me help you out! Basically, permanent hair removal can be done by two ways. Firstly, the laser beams, in which highly concentrated beams are focused on a target area, killing the hair follicles on the targeted skin. Secondly, hair removal can be done through IPL, i.e. Intense Pulsed Light. In this particular treatment, beams of low intensity are widely interspersed on a larger area. IPL is a more general process than laser treatment, which is more targeted. And due to more specific results, people often chose laser treatments over IPL treatment.

HOW DOES THE LASER TREATMENT WORK?

This is the question which hovers over our mind the most often. How exactly does this treatment help in permanent hair loss? Let’s face the truth here. Even laser hair treatments do NOT provide any permanent solution to unwanted hair growth. It just delays the growth of the hair for longer durations. The laser attacks the skin, and in the process kills the hair follicles. More precisely, it attacks the melanin in the hair follicles.

The next big question that arises in our mind, is this suitable for us? Laser treatments were basically targeted for the “LIGHT SKIN-DARK HAIR” audience. Those who had pale skin and darker hair were the most apt patients for this treatment, but now these treatments can be used by dark skinned beauties as well, thanks to the advanced technology.

CHOOSING THE RIGHT CLINIC:

Wait, what? Did I just say clinic? Patients? Treatments? Yes, it is a medical procedure. So if you are thinking of getting it done, steer clear form spas and saloons which provide these services without any medical and professional guidance. Even if you are planning to get laser hair removal done from a reputed hospital or clinic, make sure it is done by a professionally acclaimed cosmetic surgeon. In the case of the treatment being done by the doctor’s assistant, make sure a competent doctor remains on site of the procedure to look into any complications.

Surely, it would burn a hole in your pocket, but for some, it has proved to be worth the splurge. The treatment would require about 5-6 sittings, after which approximately 70% of the targeted area’s hair follicles die, thus resulting in hair loss which seems to be permanent. The average cost for each of these sessions may vary from clinic to clinic; depending on where you get it done from and which areas do you target. The sessions generally are meted out on alternative months and can be continued with touch ups, which should generally be taken, for better results.

But alas, no good things come without drawbacks. Most of the times, people who undergo these treatments have to suffer from swelling, redness and rashes on the skin. The skin can get irritated, but your doctor can prescribe ice-packs or targeted gels which can comfort your skin. Although scarring and blisters can occur on the skin, but these cases are very rare and are mostly seen on people with darker skin tones. No, I am not a racist. There is a scientific reason behind that. The darker skin has more melanin and can absorb the radiations more easily as the skin gets more porous. Other changes that may occur after the procedure are hypo pigmentation or hyper pigmentation, which is lightening or darkening of the targeted skin. Though these changes are temporary, but yes, they may happen.

PREPARING FOR THE TREATMENT:

Like any medical procedure, even laser treatment has a set of do’s and don’ts. Consultation with a reputed and experienced doctor is a must, beforehand. You should discuss with your doctor regarding the treatment; whether it is suitable for your particular skin and what results should you be expecting after the required sessions. Discussing the cost is also a generally good idea. Many doctors do advise avoiding direct contact with sun, at least six weeks before the due treatment. It is advice to cut back on waxing, plucking or electrolysis, i.e. any process which can hamper the hair follicle. Some doctor’s advice to shave the skin before the procedure, to get improved results. You may think, why this difference? It is because waxing damages the hair follicle and tugs at it; whereas shaving removes hair while keeping the follicle secure

Indeed, waxing is upsetting, and the mere thought of bikini-waxes makes us cringe and shiver. Yes, yes, we all hate the pain but love that silky, smooth-as-a-baby’s-butt skin. With the improved technology, you can bid the hot and messy waxing adieu forever. Sounds blissful! Doesn’t it?

So this is basically it. This is what I think about this so talked about practice. Go ahead, give it a try. But remember to play it safe. Stay beautiful.

Editor’s Note: Well written Ishleen, I have tried the Laser Hair Removal for my underarms and bikini area, read HERE and HERE. It’s been more than a year and I could not complete all 6 sessions still my growth has reduced a lot! It is basically hair reduction and not hair removal.

Have any of you tried laser hair removal/reduction? Your experience?

P.S: Image from Google