Thinking of Getting Laser Hair Removal? Here’s What to Expect!
If you’re reading this, it’s probably because you’re looking for more information about laser hair removal. This popular process can make your grooming routine much easier and also make you feel more satisfied with your appearance. In some cases, laser hair removal can make a person feel more confident. We all know that hair doesn’t always grow just as we would like. It sometimes grows in inconvenient places, like on the feet, the ears, the back, and other areas. Through a series of convenient treatments, the problem of unwanted hair can be managed. Here, we discuss what to expect before, during, and after laser hair removal.
Before Laser Hair Removal
There are a few things to do before you have laser hair removal. One is to avoid sun exposure. If you want to run errands wearing shorts or a tank top, that’s fine. What we want to avoid is getting tanned skin. Laser hair removal works on the premise of contrast. The lighter your skin is and the darker your hair is, the better your response to treatment will be.
Another way to prepare for a comfortable, effective laser hair removal session is to shave. This isn’t counter-productive, it’s beneficial. When you shave the night before or the morning of a session, you leave hair in the follicle but remove excess length that would absorb heat from the laser. When hair is longer, heat can build up and make the process more uncomfortable than it needs to be. Lastly, on the day of laser hair removal, dress in loose, soft clothing that will not compress or rub against your skin.
During Laser Hair Removal
At your appointment, your provider will give you special goggles to wear. This protects your eyes from the intense laser light. The treatment is conducted with a small handpiece. This is pressed against the skin in a stamping pattern around the treatment area. With every press, laser energy is emitted and absorbed into hair follicles. The process can take just a few minutes for smaller areas or, for larger areas, up to an hour.
After Laser Hair Removal
Your provider may advise you to avoid certain activities after your laser treatment. For example, using a sauna or going straight to the gym for a strenuous workout. This is because the skin will be “hot” after treatment. It may look red and feel tingly or slightly sunburned. Increasing body heat could exacerbate these mild side effects. If the skin stings or feels uncomfortable, you can apply cool compresses for up to twenty minutes as needed to cool tissue.
The team at Westerville Dermatology is happy to help you love your skin. To schedule your laser hair removal treatments, call 614-895-0400.