Who just doesn't love hair? To play with them and stylize is just a way to express one's personality and sense of fashion. Hairs aren't just an aesthetic addition to our bodies; they play equally beneficial roles in the body by regulating temperature, filtering dust, bacteria and more.
However, sometimes some hairs feel unnecessary on specific body parts such as armpits, lips, the face and limbs. Still, as you can imagine, it doesn't seem like a big deal to get rid of them with several different techniques, including shaving, waxing, and threading. But, be honest, do these things stop the re-growth of visible hairs any longer than a couple of days or a week at tops? Even with so much effort daily to remove them, they just come back.
But there is one hair removal method that can and does give you smooth hairless skin for months or years without the nuisance of undergoing shave or waxing every other day.
What is Laser Hair Removal?
It is a clinical treatment almost always used for cosmetic purposes to precisely remove hairs from the targeted region while leaving the surrounding area free of any harm or damage. An intense beam of light targets the hair follicle, and the high energy produces strong enough heat to destroy the follicle beneath the surface without cutting through the skin.
This Procedure is repeated several times over the course of multiple sessions because a single use is not strong enough to offer permanent hair removal; however, after the complete therapeutic session, the results are unmatched. Here, we describe a few essential Tips you need to know if you will get laser hair removal treatment for the first time.
1. Getting Started
The first step is to decide on the dermatologist or laser clinic you will be availing of. Most often well, reputed laser clinics have an experienced dermatologist available around the clock; you may need to book an appointment after thoroughly researching the clinic and a list of delighted patients.
The dermatologist would have to know the area on the skin you want to have wiped off hairs. A few years ago, it was undesirable for people with dark skin tones to undergo laser hair removal because of the risk of pigmentation. Now it is possible to have this therapy applied to nearly all skin types. You need to be clear and straightforward with your dermatologist about the medicines you take, the cosmetics and your work routine because it will decide on the suitable time of treatment with minimal effect on your routine life and the efficacy of the operation.
2. Preparing for the Procedure
After analyzing the condition and devising a treatment regimen, the dermatologist or the clinic would provide you with the day of treatment weeks before it is. The reason for this is to get your skin ready for the laser. In simple terms, there are some cases that would cause the laser to work incorrectly if, for instance, the skin has marks or wounds or has been exposed for a significant time to the sun.
Therefore, it is important that you follow the pre-treatment instructions as advised by your dermatologist. These include:
You are terminating any unnecessary medications, especially antibiotics, that could cause destructive effects upon laser exposure. If the ongoing drugs are vital, consult your dermatologist about when to leave those medications.
They avoid specific skin care procedures like scrubbing, chemical peels, ointments, saunas and certain cosmetics weeks before laser operation.
Protect your skin from direct sunlight as much as possible, and avoid being outdoors at peak hours of sun. If it is crucial for you to be outdoors, ask your dermatologist right away for any sun blockers you can use.
3. The Treatment
At least 24 hours before your appointment, you will be required to shave the targeted area of the laser with a new razor. Use of wax, tweezers, epilators and shaving machines is not advised because they may leave no laser mark or result in complications. Use a good quality razor and shaving foam that you aren't allergic to. Some razors are tailor-made for the face, and others for the legs. The choice depends on the area to be undergoing laser exposure.
Be patient, it may be your first time, but the experts have done this. If you feel a sense of extreme discomfort, speak out to the operator. The duration of the Procedure could take anywhere between 30 minutes to 1 hour, depending on the size of the area being treated.
To be transparent, the Procedure is not entirely pain-free… right after the therapy, you might be unable to drive safely back on your own and must ask a friend to pick and drop you off or take a cab.
4. Post-Therapy Care
Patients often have a red puffy face for hours after the treatment. The burning sensation is at its peak after the therapy but settles down within the next 12 to 24 hours. You would be given a detailed set of aftercare instructions that you must follow for the best possible results. You must use certain ointments and be restricted from certain medical or cosmetic products. Avoid direct sunlight for as many days as advised, and avoid intense exercise or an environment that makes you sweat.
5. Future Treatments & Complications
Congratulations, you have made it through your therapy, but as your dermatologist would have discussed in your first meeting, one visit is not enough if long-term hair removal is your goal. But the bright side is that subsequent therapies are almost always less painful than the first one, and having been through one Procedure, you can better manage pre and post-treatment regimes.
The successive treatments are usually spaced one month apart but could be longer depending on how well your skin is taking the therapy. In case of any side effects, consult a dermatologist immediately; some patients experience side effects such as:
· Continuous skin irritation
· Pigments or visible marks
· Swelling
· Bacterial infections
Professional dermatologists discuss the risk and benefits before they walk you through the required procedures. If they believe that your skin can take the treatment, it is better to go for the first laser treatment, and if you see the time without significant side effects, you may continue till the recommended set of therapies is completed.
Day Spa at the Lakes is specialised in laser hair removal treatment. All their staff is professional and expert in this. Do visit this clinic once, and take their opinion if you are planning to take this treatment.