Laser Hair Removal is a safe, effective way to reduce unwanted hair. The heat from the laser destroys the hair follicle, leaving your skin smooth and free of unwanted growth.

However, it is important to know that hair follicles that are not destroyed by the laser still grow, and new growth may require multiple treatments. Contact IPL Langley for professional help.

Laser Hair Removal is one of the most popular cosmetic procedures around. It is effective, long-lasting and requires less upkeep than traditional methods such as shaving, which often leave behind ingrown hairs, razor burn and itching. In order to get the best results from laser hair removal, there are a few things you should do to prepare. This will help your appointment go smoothly and prevent complications like excessive bleeding, scabbing or unwanted side effects.

The first step to preparing for laser hair removal is to give the treatment area a thorough cleanse. This doesn’t just make the skin feel smooth and clean; it also helps ensure that all of your hair follicles are being targeted by the laser.

It is also important to avoid tanning in the weeks leading up to your treatment. The UV rays in tanning beds and natural sunlight can make your skin more sensitive to laser light. This can result in less effective treatments and may lead to increased discomfort during the procedure.

You should also stop waxing, tweezing and plucking the area of your body that will be treated. This is because hair follicles must contain hair in order to be targeted by the laser. Waxing and tweezing removes the hair from the surface of the skin, which leaves the follicles without the proper structure to absorb the laser’s heat. Additionally, plucking and waxing change the growth cycle of your hair, making it harder for the laser to target your follicles during a session.

Before your appointment, you should also shave the area of your body that will be treated. It is recommended that you shave the day of your laser treatment or the night before. This allows the laser to easily locate the follicles and not waste energy on hair above the skin’s surface. You should also refrain from shaving, tweezing or using chemical depilatories in between treatments.

Lastly, be sure to disclose any medications that you are taking or have taken in the past. Certain prescription drugs can interfere with laser hair removal or make you more sensitive to the laser’s light. It’s important that you let your laser technician know about any medications or other treatments that you might have.

Typically, laser hair removal works best for people with dark hair and light skin because the contrast between these colors makes it easier for the hair to absorb the laser’s heat. However, this treatment is not always effective for everyone, and it can take several treatments before you begin to see significant results. Some hair may still grow back after your treatments, but it will likely be lighter and less noticeable than before. To get the most out of laser hair removal, you should plan to follow the suggested treatment schedule and visit your aesthetician at regular intervals. This will help you achieve the full, permanent hair reduction that you are hoping for.

Treatment

Laser hair removal uses pulses of light to heat the dark target matter—melanin in the skin and hair pigment—and destroy it. The light energy is then absorbed by the damaged tissue, which stops it from producing hair. The process typically requires between three and eight sessions for permanent hair reduction, with touch-up sessions every year or so to maintain the results.

Before the treatment, the area will be shaved and a topical anesthetic might be applied. You should wear eye protection to protect your eyes from the laser beam. Then, you’ll lie down and the technician will apply the laser to your skin. The treatment varies in length depending on the area being treated, but it usually takes a few minutes to an hour or more.

Most people get laser hair removal for cosmetic reasons, including to remove unwanted hair from the face or body. It can also help with skin conditions, such as hirsutism (excess facial or body hair in women) and hypertrichosis (excessive hair growth).

Anyone with excess hair that isn’t caused by disease or medications might be a good candidate for laser hair removal. However, you should talk to your doctor before undergoing laser hair removal for a medical condition, such as a keloid scar or psoriasis.

The procedure is relatively safe, but complications can arise. They include redness and swelling of the treated skin, and they can also affect the eyes. These side effects usually resolve in a few hours, but you should avoid sun exposure and use a broad-spectrum sunscreen when you’re outside.

A doctor trained in dermatology or cosmetic surgery can perform laser hair removal, but you should be cautious about spas and salons that allow unlicensed personnel to perform the treatment. It’s best to choose a doctor who specializes in a specific skin type and who has experience with laser hair removal for your particular skin color.

During laser hair removal, you may feel slight discomfort. The sensation has been compared to a rubber band snapping against your skin, a warm pinprick or a sunburn. You can take medication to reduce this discomfort.

When the laser is used, it may damage the skin and surrounding tissues if you’re not careful. Your doctor can teach you how to properly care for your skin after treatment.

Before your treatment, you’ll be asked to avoid epilation (plucking or waxing) and to use a depilatory cream for several weeks or more. Your doctor might also ask you to have a patch test of the area to make sure that the laser is safe for your skin. Your doctor will also evaluate your health history and discuss any medications or supplements you might be taking. This information can help your doctor determine the best course of treatment. They might recommend that you have a hormone evaluation to find the cause of your excess hair, such as a thyroid disorder or a hormonal imbalance. This will help them determine the most effective way to treat it with a laser.