After years of resorting to painful hair removal options, my friend suggested getting laser treatment for hair removal. The struggle was real until then. Waxing was painful and messy. My skin would feel irritated, and sometimes I would get ingrown hairs, which are another bother. Waxing was also giving me strawberry skin, so I tried to cover up my legs. Once, my skin reacted badly to the wax, and I had an allergic reaction. Often, the wax would be too hot or not hot enough.
Shaving was an easier alternative. But it would make my skin itchy when the hair started regrowing. My skin would be irritated and turn red. Sometimes I would nick myself, too. Often, I would have ingrown hairs. My skin would get dry and needed constant moisturisation.
Epilation was also very painful. The experience with epilation was not very different from shaving and waxing.
I was at the end of my tether when my friend suggested laser treatment for hair removal. So, I followed my friend’s advice and decided to use this method. It was the best decision, one that I would highly recommend. If you are thinking of trying it out, let me help you out. There are 5 things I wish I knew before getting laser treatment for hair removal, and I think you should too. So here goes:
It’s not a One-and-Done Treatment
Many people believe that you get laser treatment for hair removal once, and that’s that. One session is not enough. It will realistically take 6-8 sessions spaced weeks apart for the hair growth to reduce. It is not guaranteed to eliminate hair completely. The hair that regrows will be finer and lighter. Hair growth will recede in time after multiple sessions.
Hair grows in cycles. There are three phases of hair growth: anagen, catagen, and telogen. The anagen phase is the active phase where hair grows rapidly. Catagen is the short phase where the hair growth slows down and the follicle shrinks. In the telogen phase, hair is released from the follicle and falls out. Laser treatment for hair removal is only effective in the anagen phase. The pigment in the hair absorbs the laser’s energy in this phase, and the energy destroys the hair follicle. At a given point, the hairs in an area will be in different phases of growth. The laser will work only on the hairs in the anagen phase, and that is why multiple sessions are necessary. After multiple sessions, the laser will be able to target all the hair in the area when they are in the anagen phase.
The key is to be patient and stay committed to the schedule. Laser treatment for hair removal is a long-term hair reduction, and trust me, the results are worth it.
It took me around four sessions to notice a reduction in hair growth, and now the growth is so sparse that the sessions are spaced further apart.
It’s Not Completely Pain-Free
People throw around the words ‘painless’ and ‘feels like a rubber band snap’ when they talk about laser treatment for hair removal. Pain is subjective. It differs from person to person. Some people don’t feel much pain, and for them, the experience can be described as ‘painless’. Some people equate the pain to snapping a rubber band on the skin. It depends on the individual’s threshold for pain. It will vary by area and individual.
Some areas of the body are very sensitive, and laser treatment for hair removal in those areas will be more painful than in others. For example, the arms and legs will be much less painful than the bikini line, underarms, and face.
There is the option of using numbing creams if your pain threshold is low. They will render the area insensitive to stimuli and can bring relief from pain. The other option is to take painkillers before the treatment. If you are a chronic coffee drinker, it is best to avoid caffeine before sessions. Caffeine can contribute to increased pain sensitivity, especially through regular consumption.
In my experience, the bikini area and face were more painful than the arms and legs.
Skin and Hair Type Matter
Laser treatment for hair removal worked best on light skin with dark hair with the old lasers. The contrast would allow the dark hair to absorb the laser and destroy the follicles. With the launch of Nd: YAG lasers, laser treatment was a viable option for darker skin tones. The current Diode lasers work best on Indian and Hispanic skin tones. The only limitation of laser treatment for hair removal is that it does not work well for blonde, red, or grey hair.
Always get laser treatment for hair removal done at a clinic that uses the right laser for your skin type. If you are in Toronto, Colibri Laser and Beauty is a good place for laser treatment.
Follow Aftercare Rules Properly
It is recommended to avoid sun exposure before and after treatment. This will reduce the risk of hyperpigmentation, burns, and prolonged swelling. Sun exposure will also render the skin more sensitive to laser treatment and could lead to irritation, burns, or uneven skin tone. After treatment, the skin is vulnerable to sun damage.
Between sessions, if you need to remove hair, only shaving is allowed. Waxing and plucking are not allowed.
After laser treatment for hair removal, hot water showers and hot saunas are not advised for 24-48 hours. Lukewarm or cold showers are recommended.
Redness, swelling, and sensitivity are common skin reactions after laser treatment for hair removal. They will subside in a few days,
I used Aloe vera gel to relieve the skin after my treatment. I also always use my sunscreen religiously. Fragrance-free moisturizers are my best friends, and I carry them in my bag everywhere.
It’s an Investment – But Worth It
If you compare the cost of waxing, shaving, or plucking with laser treatment for hair removal, the cost is admittedly higher. But think of it like an investment. Though the upfront cost may be high, the long-term savings will be much greater.
Some clinics offer better value with full packages. So do the research and find out the treatment costs from many studios around you.
How many times have we stressed about not having shaved our bodies to wear a pretty dress for an occasion? That thought will be a thing of the past after laser treatment for hair removal. You can have smooth skin without any stress at all.
If I had known how much I would enjoy the results, I probably would’ve started sooner!
Conclusion
To recap, remember laser treatment is not a one-session-will-remove-hair-permanently kind of thing. It will require multiple sessions to see a reduction in hair growth. It is not completely pain-free, but pain is subjective to the individual and their pain threshold. It is essential to undergo laser treatment for hair removal at a reputable studio that understands which laser treatment suits your skin type.
Aftercare is crucial for managing the effects of treatments. These effects will subside in a few days, but it is wise to use sunscreen and moisturiser regularly.
Laser treatment for hair removal is more expensive than other methods, but it is a journey that can yield life-changing results. So, think of it as an investment. It will save you time and money in the long run.
Now that I have benefited from this procedure, I would highly recommend it to all girls (and men) out there who are still battling hair hassles.