The Process of Laser Hair Removal Explained

Managing your individual beauty can require different methods to achieve the desired results. And there’s often debate about which ones are most effective. As a result, some cosmetic procedures have become recognized as industry standards because of their widely-held value. Laser hair removal is one of those procedures.

First commercially tested as far back as the 1960s, the science of laser hair removal and how it’s applied has steadily improved over the years, closely following the arc of technological development. Modern laser treatments are effective and regularly administered at numerous spas worldwide.

What is Laser Hair Removal?

The cosmetic industry is constantly searching for new and innovative methods to rejuvenate our appearances. Laser hair removal is one of the most innovative procedures to arrive (and remain) on the market.

This specialized procedure involves short, intense bursts of high-frequency light waves or rays. A machine generates the laser light, which is usually directed through a handheld applicator. The applicator hovers over the skin or, in some cases, is placed directly on the skin where unwanted hair is present.

The laser is then activated, and the hair and skin are exposed to pulses of laser energy for anywhere from 10 minutes to 30 minutes, depending on the hair’s density, skin sensitivity, or other treatment necessities.

How Does It Work?

As the laser light is exposed to the skin, its energy is transformed into heat. These laser light rays heat the skin and the hair follicles to a temperature at which the follicle cannot produce hair. Although some follicles will be rendered inert after one treatment, many others require multiple treatments.

Other Factors to Consider

As the top laser hair removal service in Chandler, we pride ourselves in providing our clients all of the advantages a spa can offer, including explanations as to why we believe so strongly in the numerous procedures we administer.

Laser hair removal is an excellent treatment option for removing unwanted hair, but there are a few considerations to apply to your particular situation and individual expectations of results.

Hair is stubborn. It is often very determined to re-grow, no matter how many times it is eliminated. Even the most successful clients will need a little maintenance now and then.

Laser hair removal works best when a contrast of color exists between the hair and the laser. In other words, the darker the hair, the more completely the treatment will work. On average, most clients can remove between 10% and 25% of hair removal after their initial treatment. That means the process will take more than a couple of treatments to get the results.

Once complete, the process can last months or years before needing any maintenance sessions. There is a small amount of discomfort for some clients, but it can usually be managed with some different skin cooling or numbing gels or creams, both pre and post-procedure.

Does Laser Hair Removal Have Any Risks?

Some share concerns about using a laser to remove hair. Will it burn me? Is there scarring afterward? Will my clothes catch fire? Believe it or not, people have shared these and other real fears.

In actuality, laser hair removal is one of the safest and most effective hair removal processes available. That’s one of the reasons it’s stood the test of time and is still being used. In some cases, the laser can have an adverse effect, and treatments should be modified or canceled. In other cases, clients have ignored the technician’s warnings and have experienced permanent scarring.

There have also been reports of certain skin tones developing lighter or different pigmentation following multiple treatments.

Fortunately, these are usually rare cases, and your hair removal technician will assess you as a candidate in your initial meeting and treatment schedule.

Still, there are a few precautions to ensure the best possible results.

Avoid the sun before and after treatments. Stay out of the sun for up to two weeks before receiving laser hair removal. Sun exposure can create sensitivity in areas of skin being exposed. If exposure is inevitable, sunscreen is best, even for a minimal timeframe.

Don’t undergo any other types of hair removal procedures. Avoid shaving, plucking, or waxing, as these can irritate or inflame the skin.

Wear loose-fitting clothing for treatment days and avoid anything constricting on treated areas.

What Happens During a Laser Hair Removal Session?

When clients arrive for a laser hair removal session, they’ll check in and go through some preparatory procedures. Most clients change into a robe for processes involving body hair. This isn’t usually necessary for facial or easily exposed hair.

The hair on and around the area will be trimmed very short but not entirely off. Then, a numbing liquid, gel, or cream will be applied to the treatment area. Most spas will also take “before and after” photos to show contrasting results.

The client is asked to remain still during the laser treatment to get comfortable. The technician will then test the skin with light bursts and monitor skin reactions.

Once the treatment is complete, ice packs, cooling creams, or other products may be applied to reduce swelling and redness.

How Should You Prepare For Laser Hair Removal?

As mentioned earlier, you’ll want to avoid shaving, plucking, or waxing before a treatment. Also, stay out of the sun as much as possible. Any kind of skin irritation will be amplified by the laser light.

If you have any kind of bacterial or topical infection, sores, or wounds, you should also forego treatment. Allow the skin to heal before continuing treatments, and consult your laser technician to determine when it’s safe to proceed.

Avoid applying any types of lotions or creams to treatment areas. If the treatment is on the face, don’t apply make-up. Any interference with the laser is likely to lessen effectiveness, thus requiring additional treatments.

Don’t wear anything which will rub, chafe, or constrict the skin on the treated area. Although some clients feel the laser treatment isn’t painful and want to carry on as usual, there are still residual effects on the skin from the laser’s heat. If possible, the skin should remain free of any constricting clothing for at least an hour after treatment.

Arrive early and leave extra time for recovery. Neither client nor the technicians want to feel like they’re in a rush. The process has to be given the proper time to work, so open up your schedule for treatment days. Plus, if your skin is sensitive, you’ll want to include extra recovery time.

How to Recover After Laser Hair Removal

For most clients, the after-effects are the same as prolonged sun exposure. If you tend to burn quicker in the sun, you may also have more redness or swelling than most. Most skin irritation should subside in a few days, regardless.

Clients usually notice substantial hair removal after a few treatments but will want to monitor the hair loss present from treatment to treatment. Determining the number of procedures needed will significantly depend on the effectiveness of the first few.

Applying sunscreen to exposed treatment areas is the best method for avoiding additional skin inflammation or irritation. Sunscreen should be used for at least a week following treatment.

Most clients need between 5 and 8 treatments to achieve their desired results. Patients with light skin and hair may find it takes more sessions but must be careful not to agitate their fair skin. Equally, patients with dark hair and skin may need additional treatments or greater use of numbing and cooling creams.

Over time, it will remain necessary to do some maintenance, although the amount needed will vary from client to client.

Free and Clear

Choosing to manage unwanted hair with laser treatments is beneficial for many reasons. Skin exfoliation is also a byproduct of these procedures. Clients often remark how their facial skin can feel fresh and rejuvenated during a laser hair removal process.

For information about these and other fantastic beauty and health procedures, contact our Vivid Hair Salon and Lounge team and discover why laser hair removal is so popular and effective.

Our spa is a premiere hair removal service in Chandler and the surrounding areas. We also have a location in Chandler, AZ. Our expertly trained and experienced staff are prepared to help clients manage their beauty needs and guide them towards outstanding results.