Is It Worth Getting Laser Hair Removal?

The idea of a laser zapping hairs on your bikini line, face, or anywhere on your body can be scary, but for many, razor bumps, hot wax burns, and ingrown hairs from common hair removal methods like waxing and shaving - are far scarier. 

Having effortlessly smooth, hair-free skin is desired by many, but it tends to be a weekly battle when dealing with dull razors or sticky wax strips. So, why not get laser hair removal?

If you’ve been considering one of the most popular methods to once and for all kiss your unwanted body hair goodbye, but have heard some horror stories, then keep reading. In this article, we're going to debunk some of the greatest myths surrounding laser hair removal and go over the pros and cons.

So, is it worth getting laser hair removal? Let’s find out!

What is Laser Hair Removal Treatment and How Does it Work?

Laser hair removal treatment is a safe, non-invasive cosmetic procedure for both men and women to get rid of unwanted hair through the use of near-infrared laser light. This popular in-office procedure can treat unwanted hair on all areas of the body except for the eyes and surrounding areas. The most commonly treated areas include:

• Back
• Bikini line
• Chest
• Face
• Shoulders
• Neck

The laser targets pigmentation in the hair itself and penetrates beneath the skin to precisely destroy individual, active hair follicles. The laser light targets only the hair, so the surrounding skin is not damaged in the process. Once the follicle has been destroyed by the laser, the hair will not regrow. Not all follicles are active at once, however, so multiple laser sessions are necessary for optimal results. 

Laser Hair Removal: Myths vs. Reality

There are certain myths surrounding laser hair removal, which do sound pretty terrifying, but the good news is that they are completely unfounded. Here are some of them:

Myth #1: Laser hair removal treatment is very painful and can cause a lot of damage to your skin. With technological advancements in medical instruments and procedures, laser hair removal is no longer a painful process. In fact, most people will tell you it hurts far less than waxing. Topical numbing lotions and skin serums are common when undergoing treatment, which can actually help to make the procedure nearly pain free. Once treated with the laser, your hair will shed naturally from the follicle, and you may notice a little redness and irritation, but it typically disappears after a day or two. 

Myth #2: All the hair will grow back. After laser hair removal treatment, most people are able to trash their dull razors, toss out the smelly depilatory creams, and say farewell to ingrown hairs for several months, years, or indefinitely. Each person who undergoes treatment will differ in the number of hair follicles that are totally removed and how many hairs grow back due to the different cycles of hair growth. Medications and hormones can play a role in hair regrowth as well. Laser hair removal treatment is usually referred to as “semi-permanent,” and often, if hair does happen to grow back, it’s not as dark or thick as it was before. 

Myth #3: All you need is a couple of treatments. Hair removal is done over a series of treatments for the best results. Many people are under the impression that only one or two laser sessions are needed to obliterate all of their unwanted hair concerns, but this could not be further from the truth! As we mentioned, hair tends to grow back due to the different cycles of hair growth. To prevent hair from growing back permanently, several laser hair removal treatments are needed to destroy hair when they are in the correct stage of growth. If your unwanted hair is not in the correct stage when getting lasered, it will grow back. Most people find a majority of hair reduction after six to eight treatments. 

Myth #4: Many people aren’t candidates for laser hair removal treatment. Back in the day, laser hair removal was best suited for only those with light skin tones and dark, coarse hair. Today, with the advancements of laser technology, most people of varying skin tones and hair colors are great candidates for the procedure. 

Myth #5: At-home IPL laser hair removal devices don’t work. At-home IPL laser hair removal devices have gained widespread popularity for the many benefits it affords the user - convenience being one of them! This modern technology may not be as strong as medical-grade lasers, but it does effectively reduce the appearance of unwanted hair while increasing collagen production in the skin to leave you glowing from the inside out. Look for devices like the KENZZI IPL Hair Removal Handset, which is gentle on all skin types and provides results in as little as 3-4 treatments. KENZZI is an incredible company with an undeniable true passion for offering safe and effective removal of unwanted hair, so it’s hard to go wrong if you go with them!

Laser Hair Removal Benefits

There are so many benefits to laser hair removal, making it a very popular procedure in the beauty industry. Here are the top 5 benefits:

Speedy treatment. Depending on what you're looking to get treated, laser hair removal is generally a quick procedure. Smaller areas like the bikini line and upper lip take less than ten minutes, while larger areas like the legs and back can take up to an hour. 

Remove hair anywhere. One of the greatest things about laser hair removal is that the laser is small and can travel all over one’s body to effectively treat hair growth in areas that are usually pretty difficult to get to. As we mentioned a little earlier, with laser hair removal, you can zap hair from anywhere on your body other than your eyes. 

Safe and effective. The laser is designed to specifically target hair follicles - not the skin. In addition, lasers have been in use for many years, making this treatment both safe and effective when following best practices. 

Save time and money. Rather than shelling out money on razors, wax strips, and tweezers, one should consider the time and money saved by laser hair removal. Sure, it may cost a little more upfront, but eventually, after multiple laser sessions, shaving will be a thing of the past, and you won’t ever have to buy razor blades or worry about last minute touch-ups before going to the beach or pool.   

Long-lasting results. Finally, the best benefit of laser hair removal is that it can create long-lasting results. Everyone is different, and results do tend to vary, but many people find that they are hair-free for several weeks, months, or even years. If a little bit of hair does grow back, you will notice that it is much lighter and not as noticeable as before. To make sure the hair follicles don’t regenerate, a touch-up session or two may be needed. 

In Conclusion

So, is it worth getting laser hair removal? Absolutely! 

With the advancement of laser technology, laser hair removal is not only extremely safe but virtually painless, making it an excellent choice to tackle unwanted body hair. 

If you have been dreaming of having silky-smooth, hair-free skin without an ingrown hair, wax burn, or razor bump insight, look no further because laser hair removal treatment can help! 

Sources:

AAD

Science Daily

FDA