How to Get Rid of Unwanted Hair: The Comprehensive Guide to Laser Hair Removal

Laser hair removal is a common method for removing unwanted body hair. Many people find the prospect of laser hair removal frightening, but it’t as painful as it sounds. In fact, most people say it’s less painful than getting waxed or going through tweezing phase after phase again and again. Whether you have excess hair in one particular area of your body or you just want to make things easier on yourself by removing the need for shaving, laser hair removal can be a good option for you. Here, we'll explain how laser hair removal works, what it feels like, and its potential side effects.

What is Laser Hair Removal?

Laser hair removal is a way of removing unwanted hair from a particular area of your body. While it doesn’t fully get rid of hair (some hair will grow back), it can significantly reduce the amount of hair in that area and can make things more convenient for you if you’re dealing with a lot of hair in a particular area. Laser hair removal is used for a number of different parts of the body, including the chest, legs, armpits, and eyebrows. It’s often used to reduce the amount of hair on a person’s back or chest so that they can wear a t-shirt without feeling like they have to wear a button-up shirt and a sweater over it just to cover their back or chest. Laser hair removal can also be useful for people who are shaving a lot or who are trying to avoid hair removal or waxing during certain times of the year. Laser hair removal is done either on its own or in combination with another hair removal method, like shaving. It works by targeting the melanin (the pigment in skin responsible for hair colour) in the root of the hair. When the laser is turned on, it blasts the melanin in the root of the hair and damages it, which slows down or stops the production of new hair in that area.

How Does Laser Hair Removal Work?

Before going into more detail about the process, it's important to understand that there are two types of laser hair removal. Non-ablative laser hair removal (i.e., non-thermally-driven laser) and photothermolysis hair removal (i.e., thermally-driven laser). Non-ablative Laser Hair Removal: In this procedure, the laser light targets melanin (the pigment responsible for hair colour) in the root of the hair, which slows down or stops the production of new hair in that area. The difference between non-ablative and photothermolysis laser hair removal is that the latter causes thermal injury to the follicle, which causes permanent damage to the hair root and results in a significantly faster hair reduction. Photothermolysis Hair Removal: During this procedure, a laser is used to blast the hair follicle with intense light and heat. The heat damages the hair root and the surrounding tissue.

Things to Know Before Getting Laser Hair Removal

Laser hair removal is a fairly painless procedure, but it’s important to recognize that the experience will vary depending on the area being treated. The larger the area being targeted and the thicker the hair, the more painful the treatment will be. Here are a few things to keep in mind before scheduling your appointment: Hair Colour - If you are a person of colour, you may notice that laser removal is more painful on your skin than it is for those with lighter hair. This is because the laser targets melanin in the hair root and is more attracted to it in people with darker skin tones. If you are of a darker skin tone, it’s important to let your aesthetician know that you’re aware of this and would like to use a lower level laser. Expecting Hair Removal - If you are expecting to get laser hair removal but don’t want to remove the hair entirely, inform your aesthetician before the procedure begins. This will ensure that they use a lower setting so that you’re left with a more natural hair pattern. Pre-Treatment Tips - To reduce any pain associated with laser hair removal, it’s recommended that you take an ibuprofen 30 minutes before your appointment. This can help ease any swelling, inflammation, and tenderness that you might experience.

Side Effects of Laser Hair Removal

While laser hair removal is generally considered to be a safe procedure, there are a few potential side effects to keep in mind. Here are some common side effects of laser hair removal: - Swelling - Some people experience swelling after their laser hair removal session. This is caused by the reduction in the blood flow to the skin and the surrounding tissue. - Itching - Itching after laser hair removal is common and can last anywhere between a couple of hours to a few days. Itching is usually caused by your skin regenerating and producing new skin cells. - Inflammation - Inflammation is another side effect that’s associated with laser hair removal. It can cause your skin to feel tender and swollen. - Broken Blood Vessels - After laser hair removal, some people notice broken blood vessels on the surface of their skin. These usually heal on their own, but you may need to wear a scar cream to reduce their appearance. - Scarring - Laser hair removal can cause scarring, but this is rare. If you have risk factors for scarring, such as a family history of keloids, talk to your aesthetician about precautions that you can take.

Tips for a Pain-Free Experience

If you’re nervous about the pain associated with laser hair removal, there are a few things you can do to make the experience as pain-free as possible: - Choose a time of day that you know isn’t affected by your menstrual cycle. Many women find that they experience more pain during their period. - Wear loose-fitting clothing/swimwear after your treatment to reduce irritation and swelling. - Take an ibuprofen 30 minutes before your appointment. This can help reduce inflammation and swelling. - Take a painkiller before your appointment, such as Tylenol, Advil, or Aleve, etc. These won’t reduce the swelling, but they can help ease the pain.

Conclusion

Laser hair removal is a common method for removing unwanted body hair. It works by targeting the melanin (the pigment in skin responsible for hair colour) in the root of the hair. When the laser is turned on, it blasts the melanin in the root of the hair and damages it, which slows down or stops the production of new hair in that area. Laser hair removal is a safe procedure, but it’s important to recognize that the experience will vary depending on the area being treated. If you are nervous about the pain that comes with the procedure, there are a few things you can do to make the experience as pain-free as possible.