Now Is the Perfect Time to Prepare for Summer with Laser Hair Removal

One of the complaints of people with unwanted body hair is that it tends to grow back almost as soon as it is plucked, shaved, or waxed. It can seem like a never-ending cycle that quickly starts to irritate the skin, causing even more issues in an already problematic area.

Fortunately, many med spas are now offering a more modern and long-lasting method of hair removal that is laser based. Rather than painfully jerking a hair from its root deep in the skin, laser hair removal is a cosmetic treatment that focuses light beams on the root of body hair and damages it. This destruction of the body hair root substantially discourages further hair growth, eventually leaving patients with smoother, hair free skin.

Waxing: While waxing kits are offered over the counter and at some salons, the procedure can be hard on skin, especially sensitive areas. In addition to being painful, waxing can result in ingrown hairs. But for most patients, the main downfall of waxing is that hair must grow out in between treatments so it is long enough for a wax strip to adhere to the hair.

Tweezing: Typically, this method is limited to only smaller areas of the skin such as eyebrows.  For this particular area of the body, the risk in tweezing away unwanted hair is that it can be quite painful, may result in an ingrown hair, and is difficult to keep symmetrical to the other eyebrow shape.

Shaving: Razors, creams, and lotions are available at almost any grocery or drug store, but the reason they are sold so abundantly is because users need to keep buying and using the products to be successful in hair removal. Shaving can result in nicks, cuts and ingrown hairs. The curve of the skin in some areas such as the bikini area and under the arms can make a razor difficult to manipulate without causing injury. Of all the methods of over the counter hair removal, shaving tends to allow hair to grow back the fastest, sometimes within a day or two.

Another reason to start preparing for laser hair removal in fall and the dead of winter is that many spas request that clients halt any hair removal methods for up to six weeks before their first laser treatment.  This means all methods, including shaving, plucking, and waxing. The need to wear long sleeved shirts, long pants, and heavy winter coats could not come at a more perfect time than when a patient is having to grow out their body hair in preparation for laser treatment.

This can also come in handy when beginning the treatment in case there is any initial sensitivity or redness at the treatment site. Although most patients report no or little discomfort during and after laser hair removal, some may experience slight redness or irritation. Winter clothing will help keep others from noticing skin imperfections.

Most patients benefit from multiple treatments rather than a one and done procedure. Laser hair removal is simply more effective when done slowly over time. While it is true that most patients will see an immediate change in the presence of body hair after a treatment, typically results only get better with time and additional treatments.

The reason several treatments are often required is because of the various stages of the life cycle of a hair follicle. Hair in different parts of the body go through this life cycle at different rates, and for laser hair removal to be successful the follicles must be permanently damaged. For this reason, multiple treatments are usually recommended to achieve desired results.