One of the most well-liked and widely sought-after cosmetic procedures worldwide is permanent hair reduction. Laser therapy has become a great alternative for other more painful hair removal methods like shaving, waxing, and tweezing. For many body hair-bearing locations, laser hair removal is a cosmetic and medical therapy that provides outstanding results in terms of permanent hair reduction. In this write-up, we will discuss How does laser hair removal work, preparation, procedure and aftercare.
How Does Laser Hair Removal Work?
Laser hair removal devices produce a highly concentrated beam of light that is selectively absorbed by the pigment located in the hair follicles. So, how does laser hair removal work? The light is converted to heat, which damages the hair follicles and impairs their ability to regrow hair. A handheld laser device is placed directly on the skin. As the device glides over the skin, pulses of laser light target and destroy hair follicles.
Most areas require multiple treatments over several months to achieve the best results. Treatments are typically scheduled 4-6 weeks apart. The lasers used for hair removal target melanin, the pigment that gives hair its colour. Melanin absorbs the laser light, allowing the heat to focus on the hair follicles.
If you are wondering how does laser hair removal work, you must remember that it is most effective for people with light skin and dark hair. The greater contrast between hair and skin colour, the more the lasers can selectively target the melanin in the hair.
Preparation
Now that you know how does laser hair removal work, let’s check out how you should prepare before the treatment-
- Avoid sun exposure: Stay out of the sun for 4-6 weeks before treatment to minimise tanning. Tanned skin is harder to treat.
- Don’t wax/pluck/thread: You must refrain from hair removal methods that pull hair from the root. They disturb the follicle which the laser targets. Trim hair instead.
- Avoid skin treatments: Before laser removal, try to avoid chemical peels, scrubs etc. a few weeks before your session as they make skin sensitive.
- Always Shave beforehand: To achieve optimal laser penetration to the follicles, shave the treatment region the day before.
- Follow instructions: If prescribed, use the creams as directed. Stay away from items that can induce responses.
- Wear Oversized clothes: You must wear easy-to-remove and loose clothes so that the doctor can access the treatment area easily.
- Don’t Apply Makeup: As makeup can interfere with the laser, you need to remove any type of makeup beforehand.
- Drink enough water: You must drink enough water the day before and morning of your appointment.
- Avoid caffeine: Caffeine intake causes slight dehydration so reduce its consumption pre-treatment.
Following these tips will help you get the best and safest laser hair removal results.
Procedure
The procedure of laser hair removal consists of three steps. They are-
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Pre-Treatment Prep
- The technician will first clean and sterilise the treatment area to avoid infection.
- They may trim longer hairs using small scissors for optimal laser penetration.
- A topical anaesthetic cream may be applied for 10-30 minutes prior for comfort, depending on your pain tolerance.
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Laser Device Settings
- Based on your skin type, hair colour and thickness, the technician will adjust the laser device settings accordingly.
- Laser wavelength, pulse duration and fluence (energy emitted) are customised to effectively target the follicles.
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Laser Pulses And Passes
- Safety goggles will be provided to protect your eyes.
- The technician will administer laser pulses in short 2-10 millisecond bursts to the treatment area.
