Everything You Should Know About Laser Hair Removal

PURE BLISS MED SPA / NOVEMBER 25, 2020 / BODY

Body hair is something we all have to deal with, especially when it’s in unwanted areas. Shaving can be timely and tedious, while waxing can be painful and costly over time. Laser hair removal is semi-permanent, which makes it a more efficient option. It works by destroying hair at the root, which can be less painful than some of the traditional forms of hair removal.

We’ve all heard of this procedure, but you might not know exactly how it works. We’re going to run you through the basics. How long does it last? And is it really as permanent as they say?

How does laser hair removal work?

Laser hair removal is a procedure that uses highly concentrated light energy to zap hair at the follicles. The pigment in the follicles absorbs the light, which then destroys the hair and prevents regrowth. Laser hair removal can be used on most parts of the body and can reduce or even eliminate hair permanently. The benefits of laser hair removal include:

Precision: The laser targets coarse, dark hairs, while leaving the surrounding skin undamaged.
Speed: The laser pulses at a fraction of a second but gets rid of multiple hairs at a time. Small areas such as upper lip and chin can take less than 10 minutes, while larger areas such as bikini and legs may take up to an hour.
Results: The results vary form person-to-person, but most clients will see permanent hair reduction after the first session and permanent hair loss after 6 to 8 sessions.

Laser hair removal is not effective for grey, blonde, or red hair due to the lack of pigment.

How to prepare for laser hair removal?

It’s very important to know how you should prepare for laser hair removal. The laser targets the hair follicle, so it’s important that you stop plucking and waxing at least 4 weeks before your first treatment. You should also avoid sun exposure, as well as tanning beds, at least 6 weeks before AND after your treatment. Sun exposure can make the laser hair removal treatment less effective. It can also cause complications after your treatment. It is also very crucial that you shave the target area either the day before or the day of your treatment. This is because the shorter the hair, the less painful the treatment will be.

What happens in a laser hair removal session?

Before the procedure begins, our certified Laser Technician will do a consultation. They will discuss the area(s) that you would like treated, and explain what results you can expect.

Then both you and the technician will put on protective eyewear, and the technician will apply ultrasound cooling gel to protect the outer layers of your skin. This will also help the laser penetrate the follicle. They’ll start with a test area, to see which laser will be most effective for your skin type, before beginning your treatment.

What after care do I need for laser hair removal?

Once the treatment ends, your technician will talk to you about after care. We usually recommend you schedule your follow-up appointment 4 to 6 weeks after your first session, and continue to get treatments until the hair has completely stopped growing. Generally, this will take between 6 to 8 treatments.

After your treatment, some area(s) may feel like they are sunburnt. This is completely normal, and moisturizer and cool compresses can help. If your face was treated, you’ll need to wait at least a day before applying makeup. Over the next 4 weeks the treated hair will start to fall out.

It’s very important that after each treatment you wear sunscreen daily. This will help prevent any temporary changes to the color of your skin. Blisters are very rare, but they can happen (usually to darker complexions). Other potential side effects can include swelling and redness to the area. If there are any areas of prolonged irritation, please let you technician know.

Where to get laser hair removal?

Laser hair removal is safe for all skin types and can be tailored to your skin color. At Pure Bliss Med Spa we use a true Cutera YAG laser, which is the most effective laser hair removal device on the market. If you are in the Sandy Springs, Atlanta, area and interested in achieving hair free skin give us a call for a free consultation.