Benefits and Risks of Laser Hair Removal
As summer approaches, Chicagoans are thinking of beachtime and bikinis. How do we get ready for smooth summer without all the shaving, tweezing, or waxing to remove unwanted hair?
One easy option is laser hair removal. Laser energy is a proven method to reduce unwanted hair from your skin. Results of Laser Hair Removal are long-lasting, discomfort is subtle, and side effects are minimal for skin and hair. It takes 6-9 sessions to get the optimal results and the treatment is performed once a month. If you start your treatment in March, then by June or July, you’ll be substantially less hairy!
Let’s take a closer look at Laser Hair Removal and explore if this treatment option is right for you.
Who is a good candidate for laser hair removal?
Contrary to lots of misinformation out there, patients with darker skin tones can very safely and effectively get laser hair removal.
Brown, black hair that is thick (or known as terminal hair) is usually the best kind of hair to remove with laser technology.
Blond or light red hair is difficult to target with laser and results are not as effective in this coloring.
Benefits of Laser Hair Removal
Lasers are useful for removing unwanted hair from the face, leg, chin, back, arm, underarm, bikini line, and other areas.
Some of the benefits include: Exactness. Lasers can precisely target dark, coarse hairs while leaving the surrounding skin undamaged.
Quick Treatments. Each pulse of the laser takes a fraction of a second and can treat many hairs at the same time. Depending on the area treated, your appointment can take anywhere from 10 min to 1 hour.
Provides Results. Most patients have permanent hair loss of 80-90 % after an average of six to nine sessions.
How to Prepare for Laser Hair Removal
If you are planning on undergoing laser hair removal, you should stop plucking, waxing, and electrolysis for six weeks before treatment. That's because the laser targets the hairs' roots, which are temporarily removed by waxing or plucking.
You should also avoid sun exposure for six weeks before and after treatment. Sun exposure makes laser hair removal less effective and makes complications after treatment more likely.
What to Expect During Laser Hair Removal
The laser equipment will be adjusted according to the color, thickness, and location of your hair being treated as well as your skin color. The sensation during treatment feels like tiny rubber band snaps against your skin at worst.
Areas of Treatment Include:
Face
Upper lip
Chin
Arms & Hands
Neck
Sideburns
Unibrow
Chest
Underarms
Bikini
Legs & Feet
Back
Recovery and Risks
For a day or two afterward, the treated area of your skin will look and feel like it's sunburned. Cool compresses and moisturizers may help. If your face was treated, you can wear makeup the next day unless your skin is blistering.
Over the next month, your treated hair will fall out. Wear sunscreen for the following month to help prevent temporary changes in the color of the treated skin.
Other potential side effects are swelling, redness, and scarring. Blisters are rare. Permanent scarring or changes in skin color are rare.
Costs of Laser Hair Removal
Ask for a consultation to get a better idea of the cost for your particular case. The cost varies widely, depending on factors that include:
Size of the area being treated and time required for treatment
Number of treatments required
Whether a doctor or someone else is performing the procedure
Schedule your consultation at Advanced Dermatology & Aesthetic Medicine in Chicago now to decide if laser hair removal is the right treatment for you. The consultation fee will be applied towards your treatment package. In addition, use SUMMER10 in your appt booking till April 15th to reserve 10% off your full treatment to help you get ready for summer!