What Exactly the Laser Hair Removal is?
A laser is a piece of medical equipment that generates a concentrated beam of light. This beam of light is then used to remove hair from a specific area of the body. During laser hair removal, the pigment (melanin) in the hair acts as a sponge, soaking up the light that is released by the laser.
The converted heat from the light causes harm to the hair follicles, which are little sacs in the shape of tubes that are found just beneath the surface of the skin. As a result of the damage, new hair won’t grow nearly as quickly, if at all.
The use of lasers for hair removal can effectively slow down the growth of new hair for extended periods of time, but it seldom results in complete loss of hair. For permanent hair reduction, many sessions of laser hair removal are typically required, and subsequent maintenance sessions may be necessary to keep the results from becoming less effective over time.
Although it is effective on people with a wide range of skin tones, laser hair removal is most effective on individuals who have a light complexion and dark hair.
Tips for Getting Ready for Laser Hair Removal
Laser hair removal involves more than just “zapping” away undesirable hair in order to be effective. It’s a form of medical treatment that calls for specialised training and, if performed improperly, could lead to unfavourable outcomes for the patient. If you want to get laser hair removal done, you need to be sure that the person who is performing the procedure is competent.
In the six weeks leading up to laser hair removal, try to cut back on plucking, waxing, and electrolysis as much as possible. This is due to the fact that, unlike waxing or plucking, laser hair removal destroys hair from its root completely and permanently.
In addition, you should avoid exposure to sunlight for a minimum of six weeks before and after your treatment. Sun exposure lowers the effectiveness of laser hair removal and raises the risk of complications in the days immediately after treatment.
Preparing for Laser Hair Removal: What to Anticipate
Before surgery, your hair will be cut a few millimetres above the skin. A topical anaesthetic is applied 20 to 30 minutes before laser therapy to reduce pain. The laser’s settings are adjusted based on your skin tone, hair colour, and treatment area.
You and the technician must wear eye protection depending on the laser or light source. Protect your skin’s exterior layers using a cold gel or other cooling equipment. Laser light will penetrate better. The technician will next give a mild pulse to the treatment area and monitor it for several minutes for side effects.
After treatment, you may be given cold packs, anti-inflammatory lotions, or cold water. Plan your next appointment in four to six weeks. Continue treatments until no more hair grows.
Recovery & Side Effects
In two days, the treated skin will feel and appear burnt. Cool compresses and moisturisers may help. Unless your skin is scorching, you can apply makeup after treating your face. Your hair loss treatment starts next month. Sunscreen will help prevent temporary skin colour changes produced by the treatment.
Darker-skinned people are more prone to blisters. Other unpleasant responses include edoema, redness, and scarring. Long-lasting scars or colour changes are rare.
Pros & Cons of Laser Hair Removal
Pros:
- While the FDA hasn’t approved any laser therapies for permanent hair removal, many patients report a dramatic reduction in hair growth after treatment. The regrown hairs are finer and lighter.
- The gadget can cover a lot of ground quickly and can target any bodily part. Laser hair removal can treat the legs, back, underarms, bikini line, stomach, and face (so long as the laser is safe and effective for your skin tone and hair colour). Dr. Maiman tells her patients that laser hair removal in the bikini area is safe.
- Depending on your hair kind and service location, it may not harm. Laser hair removal is midway between shaving (painless) and waxing (ouch) (holy hell that hurts). Before and after laser therapy, technicians use numbing gel to reduce pain. Laser hair removal is more painful in sensitive places like the bikini and underarms. Each treatment becomes less unpleasant as the hair thins.
Cons:
- It’s time-consuming. Underarm laser hair removal takes five minutes or less. It takes multiple sessions to see results (typically four to six, depending on the location), and you must wait six weeks between them.
- The cost is high. The American Society of Plastic Surgeons estimates that laser hair removal costs $300 to $400 a session, which may be worth it if you spend a lot on razors or waxes.
- Laser hair removal isn’t suggested during pregnancy. Dr. Maiman says lasers have been used safely to treat kidney stones and genital warts in pregnant women, but there is no safety data to support using lasers for aesthetic procedures like hair removal.
- Many doctors advise avoiding cosmetic laser treatments during pregnancy due to risks to the unborn child. If you’re pregnant or could be in a few months, put off laser hair removal.
- Incompetent laser hair removal can cause burns and scars. State licencing processes vary, and sometimes none exist. In many jurisdictions, laser hair removal does not require a licence. If you insist on being pampered, visit a medical spa or laser hair removal centre maintained by a board-certified dermatologist or plastic surgeon with laser certification (even board-certified doctors who want to provide laser hair removal treatments need further training)
DIY Laser Hair Removal — Does It Work?
Yes (but those with darker skin and lighter hair should be careful; more on that below). Home devices can replace expensive medical visits and consume less power. (At-home devices are safer because the light energy is lower than in medical offices.) Since they’re more time-consuming than professional treatments, they can restrict hair growth. Less effective than expert tools, they cause less pain.
At-home laser hair removal is designed for people with light to medium skin and brown or black hair. Home lasers aren’t always ideal for persons with dark skin tones, like many professional systems. Red, white, grey, or blonde hair is more difficult or unsuccessful for office laser hair removal. If so, consult a dermatologist about which home or office device is safest for your skin and hair.
The 5 Best At-Home Laser Hair Removal Devices
1. Braun Silk-Expert Pro 5
Using the Braun Silk-Expert Pro 5 is enjoyable, quick, and effective. SensoAdapt technology automatically adjusts the flash intensity to your skin tone. It’s therefore suited for many skin tones. FDA-approved and Skin Health Alliance-recommended. The device’s ten power levels allow for personalized treatment based on pain tolerance and skin type. Not cheap, but undoubtedly cool.
Pros: Skin-friendly, Face and body-safe, SensoAdapt-equipped
Cons: Expensive, Light hair and dark skin aren’t safe.
2. Cosbeauty IPL Hair Removal for Women
If shaving your underarms creates irritation and pimples, then you might consider purchasing this Cosbeauty laser hair removal tool. It is an excellent option for first-timers and the perfect length for your underarms because of its size. When used on a consistent basis for eight to twelve weeks, 90 percent of hair will grow slower and thinner.
Pros: Good for first-timers
Cons: Not suitable for use on large areas of skin
3. Tria Beauty Hair Removal Laser 4x | Best For Bikini Area
Clinical studies have demonstrated that using this Tria device for an extended period of time will gradually limit the rate at which hair grows. You can use it all over your body, but because the laser cap is so little, it is ideal for identifying specific areas like as your upper lip and your bikini line. There are five different power settings available for your treatment, and if you aren’t happy with the results like thousands of other customers, you can send it back and get your money back. There are also no side effects associated with this treatment.
Pros: Dark hairs benefit, Five-level energy, Skin-sensor-equipped
Cons: Expensive, Unsafe for light hair or medium-to-dark skin
4. BoSidin Permanent Hair Removal
Laser hair removal can be painful, however this approach is absolutely painless during the entire process. Because it quickly soothes and cools the skin before removing the hair, it is an excellent choice for people who have a low tolerance for pain (hey, that’s me!) or skin that is sensitive and easily flushed.
Pros: Beneficial for those with sensitive skin
Cons: Costs more than average
5. Mismon Laser Hair Removal
People who want to get rid of coarse, thick hair on their legs will find that the laser hair removal equipment that can be used at home is suitable for them. It’s not expensive, it has received overwhelmingly positive feedback on Amazon, and after nine sessions, your hair will be gone for good.
Pros: Excellent for reducing the bulk of unruly hair
Cons: Its size has been criticized by critics.
What is the typical cost of laser hair removal?
In the most recent survey conducted by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, the average cost of laser hair removal was determined to be $389. On the other hand, this average price does not take into consideration the costs of other things. Following the completion of your meeting with the office of your plastic surgeon, the total price will be calculated.
The price of laser hair removal can change depending on a number of factors, such as the level of experience and education of the technician performing the procedure, the type of treatment that is utilized, the amount of time that is required for the process, as well as the location of the clinic that provides the service.
Example of Price list for Indy Laser services, Indianapolis.
Face and Neck Laser Hair Removal Prices
Male | Female | Male |
| Widows Peak | $750 | $750 |
| Glabella (Eyebrows) | $750 | $750 |
| Ears | $750 | $750 |
| Sideburns | $1,100 | $1,100 |
| Front or Back of Neck | $1,100 | $1,100 |
| Sideburns and Front of Neck | $1,450 | $1,450 |
| Upper Lip | $750 | $750 |
| Chin | $750 | $750 |
| Jawline | $1,100 | $1,100 |
| Lip and Chin | $1,100 | $1,100 |
| Chin and Front of Neck | $1,450 | $1,450 |
| Cheeks | $1,100 | $1,100 |
| Nose | $750 | $750 |
| Full Face (Including Front of Neck) | $2,200 | $2,200 |
| Scalp | $2,200 | $2,200 |
The Average Price of Laser Hair Removal for Different Parts of the Body
Male | Female | |
| Full Body Laser Hair Removal | $20,250 | $18,000 |
| Chest | $2,550 | N/A |
| Breast and Sternum | N/A | $2,200 |
| Areola | $750 | $750 |
| Upper or Lower Abdomen | $1,450 | $1,450 |
| Full Abdomen | $2,550 | $2,200 |
| Navel | $750 | $750 |
| Chest and Abdomen | $3,600 | $3,250 |
| Shoulders | $1,800 | $1,450 |
| Underarms | $1,100 | $1,100 |
| Upper or Lower Arms | $1,800 | $1,450 |
| Hands | $750 | $750 |
| Shoulders and Upper Arms | $2,900 | $2,550 |
| Full Arms (Including Hands) | $3,600 | $3,250 |
| Upper or Lower Back | $2,550 | $2,200 |
| Full Back | $3,250 | $2,900 |
| Full Back and Shoulders | $4,000 | $3,600 |
| Basic Bikini | N/A | $1,100 |
| Bikini Extended | $1,450 | $1,450 |
| Brazilian | $2,200 | $1,800 |
| Brazilian Extended | $2,900 | $2,200 |
| Buttocks | $1,800 | $1,450 |
| Full Buttocks (Including Anal) | $2,550 | $1,800 |
| Upper or Lower Legs | $2,200 | $2,200 |
| Feet | $750 | $750 |
| Full Legs (Including Feet) | $4,350 | $4,350 |
| Perianal | $1,100 | $1,100 |
8 Things to Consider Before Undergoing Laser Hair Removal
1. Laser hair removal seems painful, but it’s not.
The dermatologist says that the pigment in hair allows laser light to penetrate and eliminate hair. The discomfort was worst around our noses, chins, and temples, where light “converts to heat” and damages hair follicles and bulbs. The lasers used on us included a cooling system (a constantly running cold blast of air where the laser was aimed) that decreased any discomfort we felt. If we had to sprint across town to make an appointment, it hurt more if our core temperature rose.
2. Eventually, your perseverance will pay off.
You should see benefits after the first treatment, but it will take 8 to 12 sessions to reach your goal. Because hair follicles are in different stages of development, you must schedule regular sessions. Hair grows back if you cease.
“Laser hair removal gets to the root of the problem,” explains Pulse Light Clinic’s Lucy Dawe. Laser therapy only works on growing hair. Some clients may observe a reduction in coarseness and visibility after one treatment, but the best results come after a series.
3. Before laser therapy, you have to shave or trim the area.
We learnt personally that laser interaction with surface-level hair can cause irritation and burnt-hair odour. We knew the “shaving makes hair thicker and darker” myth was a beauty industry standard, so we shaved before future trips. If you want the best results, prepare for each appointment.
These are the key things to remember:
- A 24-hour shave is required. Electric razors aren’t recommended due to long hair.
- In between treatments, don’t tweeze, wax, or pluck. Shave that area.
- Makeup, lotion, deodorant, and sun cream can induce responses in the treatment area; if you need wipes, tell the doctor.
- You can’t treat a sun-exposed area for four weeks.
- Three to four weeks before treatment, exfoliate to remove false tan
4. The laser hair removal process is quick
A full-face appointment can be completed in just twenty minutes, and that time includes time for a brief talk as well as the removal of any makeup that may have been used.
5. Avoid Gym After the Treatment
It is important to keep in mind that the heat from the laser will continue to have an effect on your skin for up to an entire day following the treatment. This prevents you from going to the gym, using the sauna, or taking a shower with a lot of steam. If you do, you run the risk of encouraging bacteria to proliferate on your skin, which can result in blemishes and make you feel uncomfortable.
6. Laser treatment can sometimes encourage growth
It is true that certain varieties of hair can be coaxed into growing longer and thicker than they normally would. However, if the length of your hair is inappropriate, your dermatologist will let you know.
7. Laser hair removal has multiple benefits
We were astounded to discover that laser therapy has the potential to lessen the visibility of vexing ingrown hairs. In addition to the more obvious benefits of laser hair removal, which include clearer, smoother skin and a permanent reduction in hair growth, proponents of the procedure claim that it can also help minimise skin irritation and the incidence of ingrown hairs.
This is due to the fact that the therapy encourages hair to grow in a straighter direction, as stated by Lisa Mason, who is the Head of Medical Standards.