Laser Hair Removal is a popular aesthetic procedure that offers an alternative to shaving and waxing. The treatment reduces the amount of unwanted hair, saves time and provides permanent results after 3-8 sessions.
To achieve the best results, it is important to limit plucking and waxing for 6 weeks before your first appointment. You should also avoid sun exposure before and after your treatment. Contact IPL Vancouver for professional help.
The cost of laser hair removal varies depending on the type and size of body area being treated. Typically, larger areas require more sessions to achieve optimal results. Smaller areas like the chin or eyebrows are much less expensive, as they have smaller hair follicles and can be treated quickly and effectively. A consultation with a licensed laser specialist is the best way to determine the current pricing for your specific needs.
The quality of the treatment can also affect the costs associated with laser hair removal. Choosing an experienced and qualified physician or surgeon will ensure that you get the most effective results with minimal risk. You should avoid spas, salons or medical facilities that employ nonmedical personnel to perform laser hair removal. If you want to use your health savings account or flexible spending account (FSA) to pay for the procedure, make sure to consult with a qualified medical professional to understand the potential tax benefits.
Most insurance plans do not cover cosmetic procedures, including laser hair removal. However, in some cases, the procedure may be deemed medically necessary. You should contact your insurance company to learn if you are eligible for coverage before you undergo the treatment.
Before you receive laser hair removal, you should avoid tanning beds and spend the weeks leading up to your treatment avoiding sun exposure as much as possible. This will help prevent discoloration and help your skin maintain a good response to the treatment.
During laser hair removal, you should wear protective eyewear and follow your doctor’s instructions for preparing your skin before the treatment. This includes shaving the area to be treated two to three days before your session and using a broad-spectrum sunscreen. You should also avoid waxing, tweezing and plucking hair in the treated area.
Laser hair removal offers a permanent alternative to traditional methods of hair removal such as waxing, creams and shaving. The procedure is relatively painless and only lasts for a fraction of a second. It may require more sessions than other hair removal options, but the result is a permanent reduction in hair growth that saves time and money in the long run.
Safety
Laser hair removal is a safe and effective way to remove unwanted hair. It is a non-invasive procedure that does not involve any UV radiation and has no long-term health risks when performed by an experienced practitioner. However, some rare side effects can occur in some cases. These include changes in skin color, scarring and blistering. It is important to understand these risks and choose an appropriately qualified practitioner to minimize the risk of these complications.
During the laser treatment, the practitioner uses a hand-held scanner to move across your skin in a grid pattern. A laser is then fired into the skin at a high-intensity setting to disable the hair follicles. The beam’s spot size and fluence determine the depth of penetration. In order to prevent damage to the surrounding skin, the spot size should be no larger than a pinhead and should not exceed a certain maximum fluence.
In addition to avoiding any sunless skin creams that darken the skin, you should also avoid plucking, waxing and electrolysis for at least four weeks before the treatment. Additionally, you should not take any blood-thinning medications such as aspirin before the laser treatment. It is also recommended that you trim and shave the treatment area before your session to minimize skin damage caused by burnt hairs.
After your treatment, you should use a moisturizer on the affected skin and apply sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30 to protect it from sun damage. You should also stay out of the sun for six weeks following your laser hair removal appointment. You may notice some crusting of the treated skin, which is normal and should not be picked at.
While the laser hair removal procedures are safe and effective, they do have the potential to cause eye injuries. The potential for injury depends on how the equipment is used and how much exposure to the laser beam the person experiences. Eye injuries can result from reflected and direct laser radiation. The glare from the laser light can also cause pain in the eyes, which can be difficult to recover from.
Side Effects
Laser hair removal is a relatively safe cosmetic procedure that reduces the need for waxing, plucking and tweezing. It is also less painful than other options. However, it is important to consult a doctor or laser specialist before undergoing the procedure to determine whether it is appropriate for your skin type and color.
Lasers emit a beam of energy that targets the pigment of the hair follicles, which prevents future growth. The energy from the laser can be absorbed by the surface of your skin, so you will feel heat as the light passes over it. Your practitioner may use a cooling gel on the skin to prevent discomfort and to protect it from damage.
The American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) notes that side effects from laser treatment can vary depending on your skin type and hair color, and how the treatment is performed. Common side effects include redness and swelling of the treatment area. These symptoms typically resolve within 1 to 3 days. You may also notice a change in the color of your skin, with some patients having hyperpigmentation or hypopigmentation after treatment. This is normal, and can be reversed with proper care.
If you have a darker skin tone, your physician might suggest applying a skin bleaching cream before your laser treatment. In addition, you should limit plucking, waxing and electrolysis for at least four weeks before your treatment because these can disturb the hair follicles. You should also avoid sun exposure, especially in the area of the treatment. Lastly, you should avoid taking any blood-thinning medications like aspirin.
Another potential risk is scarring. This can occur if you have a darker skin tone and the laser used for your treatment is not calibrated properly for your skin. It can also occur if the laser is too strong for your skin, causing burns or blisters.
If the skin loses too much moisture after laser treatment, it can lead to flaky or cracked skin, which is known as crusting. While this is normal, you should not pick at it because this can cause bleeding and scabbing. Instead, you should gently exfoliate the area three times a week to help it heal.
Results
Laser hair removal is a fast, pain-free way to reduce unwanted body hair. Depending on the area being treated, sessions can last from a few minutes to an hour or more. The treatment may be slightly uncomfortable, but most patients find it bearable, with the sensation described as a rubber band snapping against the skin. The pain threshold varies from person to person, but most people consider it acceptable in exchange for the benefits of having less unwanted hair.
Results vary from patient to patient, but most see a significant reduction in hair growth after their first treatment. For best results, most patients require a series of laser treatments over the course of 4-6 weeks.
The laser uses selective photothermolysis to destroy cells that have a high pigment content, such as hair follicles. The light from the laser heats dark target matter, called melanin, and damages the basal stem cell within the hair follicle responsible for producing new hair. The remaining hair follicles are then unable to produce more hair. The result is a gradual loss of the hair in the treated area over days to weeks, with new hair growing back finer and lighter in color.
In some cases, the results of laser hair removal are permanent. This is particularly true for those who have a condition called hirsutism, which is triggered by hormonal imbalances and causes excessive hair growth. For those with this condition, laser hair removal can significantly decrease the amount of hair growth and make it much easier to control.
There are some people who should avoid or be careful with laser hair removal, and it is important to discuss this with your dermatologist before undergoing the procedure. Pregnancy can cause hormonal changes that affect the way your body produces hair, and experts do not recommend undergoing laser treatment during this time. You should also avoid laser treatment if you have certain scarring disorders, such as keloid scarring.
In addition, some medications can interfere with the effectiveness of the treatment. You should also use sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30 after a treatment, as the sun can cause additional pigment changes in the skin.