Do we need a flash of light for smooth skin?

Frustrated with using traditional hair reduction techniques? Don’t want to use razors, and afraid of burns from waxing to clear those unwanted hairs from your body? Then you are not alone!

Imagine: You shaved in the morning, flaunting smooth and silky skin the whole day, but by evening your legs feel like tiny, pokey cactus plants. Naturally, you will try waxing next and after a while, you’ll feel like you’re torturing your own skin.

If you are looking for long-term effects then laser hair reduction might be the treatment your skin needs. But is it really worth it? Let’s dive deep into this.

What is Laser and how does it clear hair?

It is a focused beam of light (LASERS) used by a professional to clear your unwanted hairs.

How can a flash of light eliminate hairs?

Well, during this process, a pigment in the hair (Melanin) absorbs the light that comes from the laser. This light energy produces heat that has the potential to damage the tube-shaped sacs under the skin which are also called hair follicles, which are responsible for the production of hairs.

These damaged hair follicles cease the endless cycle of hair regrowth to some extent and give an experience of  smoother and silkier skin.

Note: Laser hair reduction can effectively delay the hair regrowth but it doesn’t clear those unwanted fuzz permanently.

Laser hair treatment isn’t a magic trick- it’s like a well-planned and well-rehearsed play. Multiple sessions are needed to eliminate those stubborn follicles for good. And just like after makeup you need some touch-ups, occasionally it requires touch-ups to keep your skin flawlessly smooth!

How Many Sessions Does Laser Hair Reduction Take?

Site of Treatment

• Areas that are smaller and easily accessible like the upper lip and underarms require fewer sessions and less time.

• Areas that are larger and difficult to reach like thighs or back can take longer sessions due to larger surface area and denser hair growth.

• Skin Tone

• Darker skin has higher melanin pigments than lighter skin so, darker skin tone can have potential risks of having burns or pigmentation changes as they highly absorb laser.

• Lighter skin tone with darker hair provides best and safe results comparatively.

• Hair Thickness

Coarse hair needs time to eliminate as compared to thick hairs.

• Hormonal Factors

Hormonal changes affect the quality and quantity when it comes to hair growth. It can also affect the number of sittings you need for the treatment.

What are the types of Laser hair treatments?

Alexandrite Laser

It's a popular option among aesthetic clinicians, it is efficient and effective for lighter skin tones with darker hair.

• Diode Laser

It works well for most of the skin types, even popular among men. It's not just women who want smooth skin. Laser hair reduction is highly effective for coarse or thick hair types.

• Nd: YAG Laser

It is the latest advancements in laser technology. Best for darker skin tones as it doesn't affect melanin in the skin but at the same time penetrates deeper in the hair follicles.

• IPL (Intense Pulse Light)

Although it’s not a true laser, it produces heat. It is less intense and widely used in clinics for overall hair reduction.

Among these, diode laser and Alexandrite laser are most commonly used everywhere, because of their effectiveness in every skin tone and hair types.

How long does laser treatment last?

Laser hair treatment isn't a once and done process but has long-lasting results. To know how it works let’s know about stages of hair growth:

1. Growing Phase: When hair is formed.

2. Transitional Phase: When the growth slows down.

3. Resting Phase: Full length of hair resting on the surface.

4. Shedding Phase:  When hair is released from the roots.

What are the perks of Laser Hair Reduction?

We know the frustration of turning into a cactus every few days.  Lasers can spare you from the betrayal of razors and waxings. Perks of choosing lasers over razors.

Long-term hair reduction

• Easy on Wallet

• Minimal Discomfort

• Works on almost every body parts

• Skin improvements

• Technological advancements

How to be prepared for your Laser hair treatment?

It is a procedure that requires professional training to perform and involves some potential risks as well. If you want to go for laser hair treatment you must ensure to not pluck or wax for at least 6 weeks before the treatment. This is because lasers target the roots of the hair and waxing and plucking temporarily eliminates them from the root.

Limit sun exposure for 6 weeks before and 6 weeks after the treatment. This is because exposure from the sun can make the hair reduction process less effective and can develop complications after the treatment.

Doctors may prescribe bleaching cream if you have a darker skin tone to make your skin as light as possible to make the laser highly effective for hair reduction procedures.

So, if Itell you that you should shave before a Laser hair reduction procedure you might say “What do you mean? You just told me not to shave!” but this step is necessary because if the hair is too long it can burn along with your skin during the procedure.

Before the procedure:

First, the treatment area is trimmed a few millimetres above the skin surface. And a numbing cream applied 20 to 30 minutes prior to the procedure to minimize the sting from the laser pulses.

• The laser equipment is adjusted according to skin colour, hair thickness and the treatment area's location. You will be given protective eyewear, and a cooling gel is applied during the procedure that protects your outer skin from heat.

During the procedure:

  During the session, the technician exposes laser light to the hairy area         to clear those unwanted hairs. They will also closely monitor your skin         for any adverse reactions during that time.

After the procedure:

After this procedure, the technicians usually give you ice packs or soothing lotions as aftercare to reduce slight discomfort and the next session scheduled within 4-6 weeks interval to allow for hair regrowth cycles during this time frame.

What to expect Post-Treatment?

Comfort mild redness and slight swelling after the procedure. The side effects typically subside within a few hours or days.

What are some common side-effects?

There are some common side effects of Laser hair treatment that are visible:

• Inflammation

• Swelling

• Blisters

• Skin-irritation

• Pigmentation Changes, generally light patches in darker tones.

• Redness.

Choosing a skilled dermatologist is a good way to reduce discomforts like redness, swelling, irritation and skin damage.This ensures a better laser experience.

After care:

The treated area may appear sunburnt for 1 to 2 days. Applying lotions, creams and cool compresses can help soothe the skin. Refrain from direct sunlight and sun lamps during this time to prevent irritation. Also, following expert instructions given after the procedure can help in your journey of laser hair reduction.

Conclusion

Laser hair reduction is an effective way to achieve smooth skin for longer time without major inconveniences. Its increasing popularity for getting smoother, silkier skin just from some flashes of light is making people feel confident about the procedure, especially compared to traditional methods like shaving or waxing.

It is so versatile that it can be done even in the bikini lines. It is wallet-friendly as well as provides improved skin texture with minimal discomfort. It just requires multiple sessions for better results.

Treatment from highly skilled professionals makes laser hair treatment easier for anyone looking to switch from razor and want to embrace their smooth skin in the long run.