Hair, it’s everywhere! Body hair is in some places we like and many places we do not. There are several ways to remove it, such as shaving, tweezing, or waxing. Some even bleach unwanted hair, on the upper lip for example, to hide it rather than eliminate it. These methods can be uncomfortable, painful, and a repetitive problem.

Traditional methods of hair removal are time-consuming, and not something anyone really wants to bother with during the summer months. If these feelings sound familiar, laser hair removal could be a solution for you!

How does laser hair removal work?

Unlike waxing, which removes hair from the follicles and lasts a few weeks, or shaving, which is even less permanent, laser hair removal results last years. Laser hair removal uses highly concentrated pulses of light to safely kill the protein cells in your hair follicles from the treated area. Without these cells, your hair doesn’t have the nourishment it needs to grow.

Almost all areas of the body can be treated including your face, underarms, arms, legs, back, bikini area, chest, and shoulders. Everyone’s needs are different, but on average, patients need multiple treatments to achieve their goal. This is because hair has a growth cycle with resting and falling-out phases, which means not all hair is present during some treatments. Your aesthetician will work with you to schedule treatments several weeks apart to best accommodate the hair’s growth cycle.

Does laser hair removal hurt?

Laser hair removal is most commonly described as a hot rubber band snapping against the skin. While the treatments are usually bearable for most, some areas can be more sensitive than others, such as your bikini line. Waiting too long between treatments can increase the pain so stick to the schedule discussed with your aesthetician at the initial consultation.

What should I do before my treatment?

If you’re hoping for long-lasting results with the healthiest skin possible, be sure to take these steps before your laser hair removal treatment:

• Stop hair bleaching at least six weeks before your treatment since it makes the hair difficult to target, and check with our team about any medications you take since they can affect your skin.
• Stop waxing and tweezing four to six weeks before your treatment. Since laser hair removal works by targeting the root, you want the root in place. Shaving, however, is okay since it doesn’t affect the root of your hair.
• Keep your skin away from the sun beginning two weeks before your appointment since sunburn can make it impossible to undergo treatment.
• Shave 24-48 hours before treatment.
• Come to your appointment with clean skin, free of makeup or lotion. Certain ingredients in beauty products can impact your laser hair removal results.

What can I expect after my treatment?

Once your treatment is complete, it’s important to pay special attention to your skin. Immediately following treatment, your skin may feel sensitive to the touch, slightly warm, or irritated. Possible side effects of laser hair removal treatments include swelling, bruising, blistering, scabbing, pigmentation, and redness in treated areas. These side effects usually subside quickly, but you can find comfort by following these guidelines for the first couple of days after treatment:

• If your skin is red or slightly swollen, apply ice.
• Avoid direct sun exposure.
• Avoid wearing makeup after facial treatments.
• Use a gentle, unscented, moisturizer with SPF protection.
• Avoid rubbing or itching your treated skin.
• Wear loose, soft clothes that don’t rub against or irritate your skin.
• Avoid intense exercise that overheats your skin.
• Take lukewarm instead of hot showers.
• Stay away from heated places like saunas, steam rooms, and hot tubs.

Your at-home aftercare should involve a soothing toner that contains witch hazel to calm any inflammation, as well as a lotion with aloe vera to keep the skin hydrated and moisturized.  After 24-48 hours, any sensitivity or irritation should subside. You’ll want to continue to minimize sun exposure for a week, then wear sunscreen whenever you head outside.

Laser Hair Removal Results

Long-term results will vary for everyone. For some, the hair removal is permanent, while for others, the hair comes back after a few years. Results will depend on your skin and hair type (dark hair on light or fair skin is best), the area you choose to laser, and the expertise of the clinic you choose and the equipment they use. That’s why it’s important to trust a qualified professional. The Aesthetic Center by Medical Associates uses the Forever Bare BBL laser, which has a patient satisfaction rating of 93.4% from realpatientratings.com.

If you’re tired of shaving and don’t want to keep scheduling waxing appointments, laser hair removal might be your solution! Take back your time and contact us at 563-584-3444 to schedule your free consultation.