Are you someone who regularly shaves, waxes, or tweezers to remove unwanted body hair? These things can be a bit annoying sometimes, right? Shaving every day, the pain of waxing, and all this can be frustrating. So, as a good solution to these problems, many people are now turning to laser hair removal . This is now a very popular cosmetic and medical treatment method in our country as well as in the world.
Simply put, what is Laser Hair Removal?
Laser hair removal is a method of removing unwanted hair from your body using a highly concentrated beam of light, called a laser beam. Here's how it works: The light emitted by the laser goes directly to your hair follicles. The pigment inside the hair follicle, called melanin , absorbs this light. The light is then converted into heat and damages the hair follicle. This damage stops or greatly reduces the ability of the hair follicle to grow back.
This is like damaging the root of a plant and preventing it from growing again. But it doesn't harm the surrounding skin.
Some people confuse this with a method called electrolysis . Electrolysis is a method that uses a very fine instrument to insert into each hair follicle and destroy it with an electric current, giving more permanent results. However, it takes a long time and is more expensive. Laser is much faster.
What are the advantages of this method?
Laser hair removal can be used to remove unwanted hair anywhere on the face, legs, chin, back, arms, armpits, and bikini line. However, it cannot be used on the eyelids and surrounding areas, or on areas with tattoos.
Let's look at some of the main advantages:
- Precision : The laser beam can selectively target only dark, coarse hairs without causing any damage to the surrounding skin.
- Speed: A single pulse of the laser takes a fraction of a second. In that short time, a lot of hair can be covered. For example, a small area like the upper lip can take less than a minute. A large area like the legs or back can take about an hour.
- Predictability of results: Most people see permanent hair reduction after between 3 and 7 sessions .
How should you prepare before laser treatment?
This is not just a matter of "zapping" a few hairs and removing them. This is a medical procedure. Therefore, it is very important to prepare properly before doing this. Otherwise, the results may be reduced and side effects may occur.
Let's see what to do and what not to do in the table below.
| Do's | Don'ts |
|---|---|
| Shave the area to be treated thoroughly the day before the treatment. If the hair grows too long, it may burn the surface of the skin. | Avoid waxing, plucking, or electrolysis for 6 weeks before treatment. This is because the laser targets the hair root. These methods will only temporarily remove it. |
| If you are taking any medication, especially blood- thinning medications, talk to your doctor about it. | Avoid sun exposure for 6 weeks before and after treatment. Sun exposure reduces the effectiveness of the treatment and increases the risk of side effects. |
| If your skin tone is dark, your doctor may recommend a skin bleaching cream. | Do not use artificial tanning creams. It is important to keep your skin as light as possible during treatment. |
What happens during treatment?
Okay, now that you're ready for treatment, what happens after you leave?
1. Preparation: First, the hair in the treatment area is trimmed so that it is a few millimeters above the skin.
2. Numbness: Next, a topical numbing medicine is applied 20-30 minutes before the treatment to reduce the irritation from the laser.
3. Safety: Both you and the technician performing the treatment will be given special safety glasses to wear. A cold gel will be applied to protect the skin surface and help the laser beam penetrate the skin.
4. Treatment: Next, the technician will use a laser device to send pulses of light to the affected area. First, a test pulse will be performed on a small area to see if you have any adverse reactions and if the settings are correct.
Does this hurt a lot?
Many people describe this pain as "a slight burning sensation, like being pricked by a hot needle." However, most people say that this is much less painful than waxing or threading.
After the treatment, you may experience some redness and swelling. Ice packs or anti-inflammatory creams can be used to reduce the discomfort. The next treatment usually takes 4-6 weeks.
Let's also learn about laser devices that can be made at home.
You've probably seen small laser devices sold online that claim to remove hair at home. But remember, Laser Hair Removal is a medical procedure. So it's safest to have it done by a professional.
The safety or long-term effects of home devices have not been well studied. Also, they are considered cosmetic devices, not medical devices. Therefore, there is no guarantee of their quality.
Possible side effects and risks
The area may feel sunburned for a day or two after treatment. Cool compresses and moisturizer can help.
Other side effects may include redness, swelling, and bruising. However, permanent scarring or skin discoloration is rare. People with darker skin tones are slightly more likely to develop blisters.
Most importantly: Be very careful when choosing a place to have this treatment. Choose a place that has a qualified, experienced doctor or technician . Doing it somewhere else can lead to serious complications.
Take-Home Message
- Laser Hair Removal is a medical procedure that goes beyond cosmetic treatment. So don't take it lightly.
- The best results are achieved in those with light skin and dark, coarse hair .
- Follow the instructions carefully before and after treatment, especially sun protection .
- Before doing this, carefully research the qualifications and experience of the doctor or technician at the location.
- This does not provide 100% hair removal, but rather a long-term reduction in hair growth . So keep your expectations in mind.
- When it comes to cost, prices vary from place to place and depending on the size of the area being treated. So , check prices at several places and choose the best one.
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