Have you been dreaming of never having to pick up a razor and fight through the stubble growing back on your legs only days after you last shaved? It can be an absolute nightmare and many home remedies such as waxing and threading, although they can prolong the inevitable growth, still suffer from the same problem that the hair will grow back. Laser hair removal on the other hand offers a more permanent solution to getting rid of your body hair, but it comes with its own drawbacks and it’s so important to study and make sure that you read up on the facts before booking in. So let’s go through them then…
It sounds painful, but really it’s not too bad
Laser hair removal works by sending laser light into a pigment within the hair which then converts into heat to damage and destroy the hair follicles. Depending on where you opt to have it done, it can hurt more than other places (the face tends to be a little more tender than areas like your legs) but the technology used is designed to minimise any pain that you may feel during the treatment.
Be patient with it
After your laser hair removal treatment, it takes two to three weeks before you’ll see a difference and can take a number of treatments before you actually get your full results. A number of our patients tend to start seeing proper results after two or three treatments and it’s important to keep coming back to make sure you can target as much hair as possible as each hair follicle is at a different stage of growth to the others.
Trim or shave the area you’re having treated
The laser light can actually react with hair on the surface which can cause some form of irritation and also give the smell of burnt hair which isn’t nice, cutting the hair down can help you to avoid this.
It’s a really quick treatment
Laser hair removal sessions can be as little as 20 minutes depending on the area that’s being treated, so for some people they can be in and out during their lunch break.
Don’t do anything that will make you too hot afterwards
The heat that the laser gives off can stay in the skin for 24 hours after your treatment which means that adding more heat creates a perfect environment for bacteria to multiply, so no gym, saunas or hot showers!
Have a serious think about the sun
This will be discussed during your consultation but you’re going to want to avoid the sun as much as possible both before and after your treatment as your skin will be much more susceptible to damage from the suns rays.
It can trigger more growth
It’s true, laser hair removal can actually stimulate particular types of hair into growing longer and thicker than before. Don’t worry though, you’ll be told about this before the treatment so you’ll know if you’re a good fit or not.
You may need to change the beauty products that you use
Retinol creams and glycolic acid should be avoided for 48 hours before and after your laser hair removal treatment and some people even recommend adding face mists and moisturisers to your routine to stop your skin getting too dry.
Laser hair removal has a number of benefits
Step aside from the smoother skin and permanent hair reduction, it can also reduce ingrowing hairs and gives less irritation to the skin because it encourages the hairs to grow straight, isn’t science wonderful?
Don’t pluck, wax or dye
These can all impede the laser hair removal process, if you want to remain hairless whilst undergoing treatment then you’ll need to shave instead.
It works for anyone
Doesn’t matter whether your male or female, young or old, or what colour your skin is, laser hair removal will work for everyone (dependent on your hair).
You may need a top up down the line
Laser hair removal is said to remove up to 90% of hair in the treated area permanently, but sometimes due to hormones the hair can grow back and you may need to book in again.
So now you know all the facts, what’s stopping you from booking in and having skin as smooth as a baby’s bum?