Every girl who’s met anyone who’s had laser hair removal done feels one reaction for sure: immediate and instant envy! The thought of not having to make those runs to the parlour, super-smooth and hairless skin for months on end – it’s SO very tempting! And especially if you basically never have to deal with that annoying upper-lip and chin growth. But while going for facial hair removal using the laser treatment is something not so uncommon any longer, it’s rare to meet people who’ve got it done for their face. In case this is something you’ve wondered about, here’s what you need to know about laser hair removal.
1. What is laser hair removal treatment?
The treatment involves a hand-held laser device, which shoots out a pulsed beam on the skin, which passes through it and destroys several hair follicles per second. The beam’s intense heat destroys the hair follicle and temporarily removes the chance of future hair growth.
2. Does getting this done involve any risks?
After getting your skin treated with laser hair removal, the next day, you might feel as if your skin has been sunburned. That’s pretty normal because of the procedure. There are, however, side effects such as skin irritation and pigmentation changes which come post laser treatment. Depending on how sensitive the skin on your face is, you might experience temporary redness, swelling, and change in skin colour. So be sure to consult your dermatologist about the risks.
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3. How do you prepare yourself for laser hair removal?
If you’re sure about getting a laser hair removal treatment done, ALWAYS pick a doctor who is qualified and certified in cosmetic surgery and dermatology. If you’re getting it done by the doctor’s nurse or assistant, make sure the doctor is present to supervise. Before going in for the procedure, make sure you do these things:
1. Avoid the sun: If you’ve recently got a tan, don’t go in for a laser treatment immediately. Wait till the tan fades, even if it takes six whole weeks! The reason we’ve asked you to put the laser appointment on hold is because a tan increases the risks of laser side effects such as pigmentation. You don’t want to land up with an uneven skin tone!
2. Avoid making trips to the salon: Plucking, shaving, tweezing and waxing disturb your hair follicles (this is what causes your skin to sometimes feel a bit bumpy after you do any of these things). This might interfere with the laser hair removal surgery. If you want the treatment to go well, avoid using any hair removal technique on your face for about 6 weeks. If you don’t, you’re at the risk of burns, rashes and itchiness.
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3. Make sure your skin is in the best possible shape and you don’t have any irritations or rashes: Since you’re about to have a fairly intense treatment done to your face, you need to do it at a point when your skin is in perfect health. Existing problems such as rashes will not only interfere with the procedure but can also potentially result in lasting damage to your skin.
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4. What can you expect during the laser hair removal?
Just before the laser treatment for your face begins, the hair in the treatment area will be trimmed with a pair of scissors by the doctor. In the process, you will also be handed a special kind of goggles to protect your eyes from the harmful laser rays. The doctor will then apply a topical anaesthetic to your skin to avoid any pain caused during the treatment. The treatment for your face should not take more than an hour to get done. After the treatment, the doctor will give you ice packs and lotions to apply to soothe your skin after its encounter with the intense rays.
5. What are the pros and cons of getting laser hair removal treatment for your face?
Everything comes with its set of pros and cons, and the laser hair removal treatment is no exception.
Pros
1. It’s very efficient: Compared to all hair removal techniques, the laser treatment is the most efficient since you don’t have to worry about strays – which is not just a timesaver in the long run but also leaves you worry-free.
2. It’s very safe and less stressful when done properly: With a certified doctor who knows exactly how to use his tools, you’re going to be in good hands for sure. As well, the pain is minimal if you’re properly anaesthetized and treated by an expert.
3. It works for the long run: No matter how many times you wax, shave or thread the hair on your face, it always grows back in a week or two, depending on what your growth is like. Not so with the laser treatment. The effects are the longest-term when it comes to hair removal, and stunts the growth of hair for anything between 6 to 24 months.
Cons
1. Not recommended for sensitive skin: If you have delicate skin, the laser skin treatment is not for you. Post treatment, you are at the risk of suffering from blisters, rashes and burns.
2. It’s anything but cheap: Since this is actually a clinical procedure, and demands the attention of a medical professional, you have to be willing to shell out mega bucks – averaging about Rs 7,500 a session, depending on where and whom you’re getting it done from.
3. You need more than one session to do the trick: This treatment stunts the growth of hair by destroying the follicles; however, you need multiple sessions in order for hair growth to be stunted completely. So you need to attend about 5-6 sessions a few days/ weeks apart for this to be completely effective.
Now that you know everything you need to, we hope you’re able to make an informed decision about this is the right thing for you! Good luck, and make your choice wisely – AFTER consulting with a doctor!
Images: Shutterstock.com
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