Best Laser Hair Removal: What Are Your Options?
By Aaliyah Albo
"I love wax burns!" said no one ever. If you're anything like us, dealing with unwanted body hair is a pain, literally. Bumps, cuts, burns, and painful ingrown hairs are all side effects known too well by those who shave, wax, and tweeze to get rid of unwanted hair. That's why people all over the world are turning to laser hair removal to say goodbye to unsightly hair once and for all - but what exactly is this increasingly popular procedure, and what are your options? Keep reading to find out!
Laser hair removal treatment is one of the most commonly done cosmetic procedures in the United States. It beams a highly concentrated light into hair follicles to stunt future hair growth. This treatment can help to eliminate unwanted hair on just about any area of the body except the eyes. The most commonly treated areas include the:
- Upper lip
- Chin
- Chest
- Back
- Legs
- Underarms
- Bikini line
Laser hair removal treatment is convenient, noninvasive, and leaves the skin looking smoother and silkier than waxing, electrolysis, or razors. It's a gentle technique that can treat larger areas effectively with minimal discomfort and no downtime.
Laser Hair Removal
During laser hair removal treatment, a powerful laser emits a light that is absorbed by the natural pigment melanin in the hair. The light energy is then converted into heat, which damages the tube-shaped sacs within the skin (hair follicles) that produce hairs. This damage delays or inhibits future hair growth.
Although treatment will effectively delay hair growth for long periods of time, it doesn't usually result in permanent hair removal. Multiple laser treatments are needed for initial hair removal, and maintenance treatments might be needed as well. Why? Because hair grows in three phases; anagen (active), catagen (transitional), and telogen (dormant).
At any given time, your hair can be in any one of these three phases, but for laser hair removal to work properly, hair must be in the active anagen phase and visible above the skin's surface. It does not work when hair is dormant and cycling though the catagen and telogen phases. Multiple treatments are needed for long term hair reduction to target the new hairs as they cycle through the phases of hair growth, which can take some time.
When to consider laser hair removal treatment
- If you have undesired body or facial hair that makes you feel self-conscious or limits your ability to wear certain clothing.
- If you're looking for an alternative to tweezing, shaving, electrolysis, waxing, and bleaching.
- If you have sensitive skin that is prone to painful ingrown hairs.
How is a laser hair removal treatment performed?
Before your laser hair removal session, protective eye shields will be placed over your eyes to prevent injury to your retinas or corneas. Your unwanted hair that will be undergoing treatment will be shaved to avoid getting singed by the laser, which could burn your skin. To protect the outer layers of your skin, a special cooling device or cold gel will be used. If you happen to have a low tolerance for pain, your laser specialist may apply a numbing topical cream to help reduce any discomfort.
The most popular lasers for hair removal treatment use a low-energy beam, which will be adjusted to your skin tone and to the color, thickness, and location of the unwanted hair that you're looking to have removed. A test treatment or 'patch test' will be done first by directing a test pulse light to the treatment area. The area will be observed to make sure that the settings are correct and to check for any adverse reactions to the laser treatment.
If everything looks A-OK following the patch test, the low-energy laser beam is then systematically directed spot-by-spot to the unwanted hair to be treated, instantly, and permanently disabling the active-growth hair follicles with each laser treatment. As we mentioned earlier, laser hair removal does not work when hair follicles are in the dormant telogen phase of the hair growth cycle.
When the treatment is completed, you may be given cold water, ice packs, or anti-inflammatory creams to soothe the treated areas and minimize any discomfort.
What are my options?
There are many different devices for laser hair removal treatment. The most successful use a powerful low-energy laser beam to disable the active growth hair follicles in the anagen phase.
Below are some of the variables that will affect treatment:
- Hair color and thickness
- Skin color
- Area of the body treated
- Wavelength and fluence used
- Device type
- Skin temperature and cooling
- Spot size and pulse width
- Treatment timing
Depending on the variables listed above, your laser specialist may use one or a combination of the following devices:
- Alexandrite laser
- Ruby laser
- Diode laser
- Nd: YAG laser
After evaluating your particular skin tone and hair characteristics, your laser specialist will choose the treatment that is best suited for your particular situation. For those with dark or tanned skin, the Diode laser, and Nd: YAG laser works best. For those with light to fair skin, the Alexandrite laser is ideal. Dark, thick, coarse hair? The Ruby laser is a good option.
When it comes to laser treatment, you have options. Be sure to talk with your laser specialist to find which option is best for you!
Okay, but what about at-home laser hair removal devices?
Over the years, at-home laser hair removal devices have become increasingly popular - and for good reason! Gone are the days of having to book multiple sessions at the laser clinic to achieve a silky-smooth, hair-free complexion. If you've been searching for a way to get flawless skin from the comfort and privacy of your very own home, look no further because at-home laser hair removal devices like the KENZZI IPL Hair Removal Handset can help.
KENZZI offers the world's #1 at-home IPL device that effectively eliminates unwanted hair in as little as three to four treatments. It's gentle and safe to use on all skin types. Not all at-home devices are created equal, so it is important to purchase from a great company like KENZZI that backs each hair removal device with a warranty. Once you give KENZZI a try, you will quickly understand why they are superior to other laser hair removal devices on the market.
Recap
When it comes to laser treatment, you have a ton of options. From the clinic you choose to the laser that is used, laser light technology has advanced quite a bit over the years, and there are now many options surrounding this popular procedure to safely and effectively eliminate unwanted hair - on all skin types.
When considering laser hair removal treatment, be sure to do your research and find a reputable clinic that is qualified and experienced in the procedure. Make sure the laser specialist has experience treating your specific hair color and skin type to avoid any side effects. If you do happen to experience any side effects like redness or irritation, simply apply a cold compress to the affected area to help reduce the swelling. You can also take an over-the-counter pain reliever like ibuprofen.
If you find that you don't have the time to get to the clinic for laser treatment, a safe, top-quality at-home device like the KENZZI IPL Hair Removal Handset might be a better option. With KENZZI, you can have flawlessly smooth, hair-free skin all year round.
Give KENZZI a try - you will thank us later!
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