Laser hair removal

If you are thinking about laser hair removal, it pays to read a little about it. We know that it is easy to be attracted by the promise of a stump-free life, but it is so important to first get all the facts to see if the treatment is right for you.

There are so many benefits to using a laser beyond just the hair removal aspect. If you tend to get ingrown hairs that create irritation and hyperpigmentation on your skin, then it helps to use laser hair removal to eliminate this completely.

The options for hair removal are endless. From waxing to threading and shaving to tweezers, however, laser hair removal is one of the few options that offers a more permanent approach to getting rid of body hair if that is what you are looking for.

Good to know about laser hair removal

As with all body treatments, it is a good idea to carefully examine the process before starting the treatment itself. There are a number of things to keep in mind and also how you can prepare for the best laser experience, no matter where on your body you want it done.

We talked to some laser experts at Pulse Light Clinic about everything you need to know before a laser treatment. Below you will find out the facts and reveal all the laser myths that you have probably already gone on - from lasers that trigger hair growth to having to avoid sun exposure forever.

Laser hair removal sounds painful, but is not that dangerous at all

Dr. Seukeran, group medical director at the clinic, explains that laser hair removal works by sending light through a laser to the pigment in the hair. "This (light) is converted into heat, which damages the hair follicle."

I experienced the laser as a rubber band that you can gently touch the skin and it felt a little extra in areas with thinner skin such as near my nose, chin and temples. Thankfully, the lasers used on me had a cooling mechanism (basically a constantly cold stream of air right where the laser was pointing) that really helped.

2. Patience pays off

It takes two or three weeks after your first treatment to see the difference and 8-12 treatments to get the full result. You also need to be really regular with your treatments because your hair follicles are in different stages of their growth, so you want to make sure that everyone has a chance to be treated.

"Laser hair removal is getting to the root of the problem, literally," says Lucy Dawe, a senior consultant at Pulse Light Clinic. “The laser targets the hair that is in its active growth stage. Customers may find that their hair looks finer and less noticeable after a treatment, but one treatment is not enough to see optimal results. ”

3. You need to shave the area before laser treatment

The laser can react with hair on the surface of the skin which will cause some irritation and may smell like burnt hair. You need to make sure that you get rid of all the hair properly before each visit to get the best results.

According to Lucy, these points are the most important things to remember:

• The area must be shaved thoroughly 24 hours before treatment. Electric razors are not recommended as the hair is usually cut too short.
• Do not grow or pick the area being treated between or before the sessions. Just shave the area.
• The treatment area must be free of makeup, lotion, deodorant and sunscreen
• The area can not be treated if it has been exposed to strong sun within 2 weeks before the treatment.
• Tan without sun can not be used 2-3 weeks before treatment; the area should be carefully exfoliated to remove any residue.

4. It's actually a fairly quick process

Treating the whole body takes a maximum of 30 minutes, including makeup removal at the beginning.

5. You may need to wait with some of your beauty products

Scrubs, glycolic acid and retinol creams should be avoided two days before and after treatment. I also started adding extra moisturizer to my daily routine when I got a little drier. It is recommended that you avoid chemical peels for a two-week period before and after the laser.

6. Laser hair removal has more than one advantage

I was surprised by the fact that laser hair removal can actually help with annoying ingrown hairs. "Aside from clearer, softer skin and permanent hair reduction, laser hair removal also has other benefits, such as helping to reduce ingrown hairs and less irritation to the skin. This is because the treatment encourages the hair to grow straight," says Head of Medical Standards at the clinic, Lisa Mason.

Read our article on laser hair removal at home - where we describe in more detail how laser hair removal works.