Reports from the medical sector indicate that more than 1 million people undergo laser hair removal procedures each year. An ever-growing number of people are considering this solution for removing unwanted hair. Of course, the thought of having lasers applied to the skin is a bit disconcerting for many. At the same time, quite a few people don’t fully understand how and why the process works. Because of that, researching deeper into laser hair removal before committing to the procedure is essential.
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What Is Laser Hair Removal?
As the name indicates, laser hair removal is a procedure that removes unwanted hair from the body. It can be performed on virtually any area of the body, but certain areas are targeted more commonly than others. People often have hair removed from their legs and armpits.
Laser hair removal is a popular option for those who have unusually thick or dark hair on their arms or back as well. In many cases, women who have problematic facial hair use this procedure to remedy the issue. Having laser hair removal performed by certified professionals like those at the best clinic in Texas is advised.
How Does Laser Hair Removal Work?
That brings us to the details of the laser hair removal process. During the procedure, a practitioner will use a handheld device that’s attached to a larger machine. The device emits a laser as it’s passed over the skin.
That laser is drawn to areas with darker pigmentation. In the case of hair removal, the hair follicles being targeted have darker pigment than the surrounding skin. As such, the laser focuses on those follicles. This is a process known as selective photothermolysis.
Hair follicles absorb heat and light from the laser. In turn, the laser destroys the follicles. That ultimately renders them unable to grow. For the procedure to be effective, the laser must come into contact with hair follicles while they’re growing. Not all hair follicles in areas being treated grow at the same time or rate, so not all hairs will be affected by a single treatment. Because of that, multiple laser hair removal treatments may be needed to fully eliminate unwanted hair from the selected area.
Can Anyone Have Laser Hair Removal Treatments?
For the most part, laser hair removal is safe for almost everyone. It’s meant for adults who have unwanted hair or those who are simply tired of shaving. It’s an especially helpful solution for people who live with conditions that come with excess unwanted hair growth, like hirsutism and hypertrichosis.
That being said, laser hair removal isn’t recommended for people with skin cancer, genital herpes, certain types of skin scarring, and women who are pregnant. The procedure may not work as well for people who have light hair or dark skin, but it can still be effective in those situations.
What Should I Expect During a Hair Removal Treatment?
First off, it’s important to prepare for a laser hair removal session per the practitioner’s instructions. That could include avoiding prolonged exposure to sunlight or tanning lamps for a few weeks before the procedure. Additionally, the area to be treated should be shaved a few days prior to treatment, but waxing or plucking hair in the target area should be avoided. For the procedure to be effective, the hairs being treated need to be at least a few millimeters long but no longer than that.
During the procedure itself, those being treated are asked to wear special goggles to protect their eyes against the laser. The area being treated will be cleaned before the procedure, and a numbing gel may be used to ease the sensation of the laser. From there, the practitioner will pass the laser over the target area.
Many people say the treatment produces a stinging sensation that’s uncomfortable but not overly painful. It’s common to smell the odor of burning hair during the procedure as well. Treatments can take anywhere from a few minutes to an hour or so depending on the size of the area being targeted. Keep in mind, multiple treatments may be needed for optimal effects.
Eliminating Unwanted Hair
Millions of people have unwanted hair. Some simply live with it, but that’s not the only option. Several hair removal options are available at this point. Laser hair removal is one of the most popular and effective. Though most people need multiple treatments, it’s a simple, long-lasting alternative to shaving, waxing, and tweezing.
