Permanent Laser Hair Removal

Permanent laser hair removal is a treatment which damages individual hair follicles to prevent future hair growth. It can be used to successfully reduce hair on any area of the body. In recent years, the technology behind laser hair removal has improved, leading to more effective techniques and equipment.

Procedure

The process of permanent laser hair removal is carried out by a medical professional or trained beauty therapist. The procedure involves passing a laser beam through the skin to hair follicles one by one. The hair follicles are damaged by the intense heat of the laser. This damage slows future hair growth. Depending on the size of the area being treated, the procedure lasts anywhere from 30 minutes to 2 hours.

Pros of Permanent Laser Hair Removal

• FDA Approval: It is one of few methods approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for permanent hair reduction.

• Safety: Permanent laser hair removal is proven to be safe, with little to no risk of serious complications or side effects.

• Effectiveness: According to some studies, more than 90% of people who undergo the procedure are happy with their results.

Cons of Permanent Laser Hair Removal

• Pain: This is the biggest downside to permanent laser hair removal. The amount of pain experienced during the procedure will vary from one person to another. The biggest factors that affect this are the individual’s personal pain threshold as well as the sensitivity of the area being treated.

• Multiple Sessions: Many factors affect hair growth including; heredity, hormones, stress levels and hair growth cycles. These factors will determine how many treatments you need for the effects to be permanent.

• Scarring: While uncommon, there is a slight risk of scarring. This risk may be reduced or eliminated, however, by finding an experienced practitioner to perform the procedure.

Pre-Treatment Considerations

As long as you have no skin conditions or infections, and are generally healthy, there is no reason why you can’t undergo permanent laser hair removal. There are a few instances, however, where the procedure should be avoided. It is not recommended for those who have pacemakers or suffer from diabetes. In addition, pregnant women are advised to wait until after they have given birth to undergo treatment.

Post-Treatment Considerations

After the procedure, you can resume your normal activities immediately. You may experience a small amount of redness or swelling, but it should disappear within a few hours. Avoid exposing the treated area to sunlight for a few days. If you must be in the sun, be sure to apply sunscreen. Your practitioner may also advise you to keep the area covered lightly with an antiseptic cream.