Ten Things You Should Know About Laser Hair Removal
Did you know that laser hair removal can take months to complete? That you cannot get laser hair removal if you have a tan? That laser hair removal can actually cause more hair growth? Here are 10 things you should know before getting your unwanted hair lasered off.
Laser hair removal is a safe and effective way to permanently remove unwanted hair from the bikini area, underarms, legs, chest, back (gentleman), and even faces. It is not for everyone, however, and there are some things you should know before signing up this summer.
- Laser hair removal only works on pigmented hair. If you have light blond or white hair, then lasers won’t work! See How Laser Hair Removal Works to learn why.
- The darker your skin, the greater your risk of injury. Lasers target the pigment, not the actual hair, so dark pigment in the skin is more likely to absorb the laser’s energy.
- Plan ahead — you shouldn’t have laser hair removal done if you have a tan (and you should question anyone who is willing to do the treatment on you if you do). The brown pigment from your tan will be more likely to absorb the laser, leading to discoloration of your skin.
- It is important that you see a trained professional who is experienced in laser hair removal; choosing the right laser is critical in determining how many treatments are needed. Also, some lasers are not safe for some skin types.
- In some women, laser hair removal on the face can cause a paradoxical increase in hair growth! Using the correct laser can prevent this, so be sure that the person who is doing your treatment knows if you are at risk and how to prevent this.
- You have to let your hair grow for at least 2 weeks prior to laser treatment. Yup, that means stubbly legs for a while, sorry.
- Prices vary dramatically depending on your geographic location and on the areas you want treated. It can take 3 to 5 treatments depending on the color of your hair, the laser used, and the area treated — in some instances, it can take 10 treatments to get satisfactory results. Try to negotiate a price for a complete treatment rather than paying for each individual session; it could save you money in the long run.
- Because it takes multiple treatments, and you have to wait weeks between treatments, a complete course can take several months to finish. So if the wedding is in August, then you had better start now.
- Be sure that the person operating the laser can tell you the following: what type of laser or device is being used; why it’s the best type of laser for your skin and what your risks are; what adverse outcomes they have had; how many treatments they expect you’ll need. Using the wrong laser or the wrong settings can lead to discoloration of your skin, failure of the laser to work, pain and redness, and even scarring.
- The laser actually explodes your hair follicles when it hits them, so treatments do hurt a little. It is often described as feeling like an elastic band being snapped against your skin. Ah, what we will endure for the sake of vanity.
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Post by Jeffrey Benabio, MD Photo credit: Anyjazz65
This is really helpful post- informative and timely. I appreciate this, since I hear so much about laser hair removal but didn’t know much about it. Thanks for your great blog!
Hey, I just wanted to comment on point number 7 on this post: As great as it is to save money by paying for an entire “package” rather than for each individual treatment, I do think it is sometimes wiser to go for the individual route, since hair is very unpredictable and the condition of your hair and skin must be reevaluated after every treatment. Therefore, even though you may be paying more than if you were to purchase an entire package of 6 or 8 treatments, you would also be making sure you aren’t stimulating even MORE hair growth and reevaluating how things look after each treatment. Just my two cents! Keep up the great work on this blog–I always enjoy reading it!
I’m just curious…my bf has quite a hairy bum lol. Can that hair be removed?
Good point on #8. Some people at first think it is a one time deal and then find out how involved it can be.
I would like advice post laser hair regrowth increase. What are your ideas once the damage is done to remove the increased hair growth???
My daughter in 21 and will be living in New York this summer. We are interested in getting the appropriate help for this unfortunate situation.
Please advise, thanks in advance,
Susan
This is also great info for guys, as we need laser hair removal too. Thanks to you and www. futurederm.com for all the tips and information to help us all be our best.
I had wonderful experience with laser hair removal (permanent!), but to be honest – it can hurt a lot! You normally don’t hear this in advertising. But that also depends on where you let that elastic band being snapped at. I didn’t cry, but I did squeeze my teeth a lot. From what I heard, some men cry (to answer the person that doesn’t like the guys hair somewhere – think twice before setting him up for that ultimate spanking!). Do not put anything on your skin after your treatment (except some cooling with cold water or moist cloth) and really follow the advice of avoiding the sun!
What all hair permanent hair removal systems nowadays have in common: the treatment hurts as much as – lets say – treatment with an electric depilator. But the good thing is: every treatment it gets better and at the end there is no hair left
Very interesting — I just “won” a discount on treatments at the American Laser Center. The salesperson claimed their treatments would work on my very pale facial hair!!!
I had laser hair removal for over a year of treatments on my neck line. I totally meet the qualifications (light skin dark hair). Apparently there are different types of lasers. The one I went to isn’t even classified as a laser at all, but uses intense light and they call it a laser. It would stun the hair follicle and would last maybe a month. Then hair would start going back quickly. Wouldn’t recommend this type! I lost alot of money and they would not refund. Please contact me if you have a similar situation.
Great tips you got here.
Laser hair removal is very effective. Good facts you got here.
I did 3 treatments on my face and I got black spots, they just don’t go away I have used every kind of bleaching, pigmentation creams etc, and they don’t fade. I don’t know what to do =( I am Latina so I guess the laser wasn’t done properly but the most important thing is that I want to have my face without black spots. Please advice me on this, I went to see 2 dermatologists and they both recommend peeling but I am afraid of peeling.
Very useful information. Thanks for sharing this.
Nice article.. very helpful.. laser hair removal is a great way to reveal your skin with more confidence.. and it is very effective..
-kenneth
# 9 crappaws!! DONT BELIEVE THAT YOU WON. They did that to me too. They told me that I won 300 towards laser hair removal (3rd prize or something) and then tried to sell me 2000 dollars worth of treatments. They would not honor my 300 unless i bought something. it was a total rip off!!