Laser Hair Removal: Benefits, Side Effects, Cost & FAQs
Laser Hair Removal: Benefits, Side Effects, Cost & FAQs
Using temporary hair removal treatments such as shaving, tweezing, and waxing to remove unwanted body hair can become tiring.
If you’re tired of shaving nicks or waxing burns, and you want longer-lasting results, you should try laser hair removal.
Laser hair removal, one of the most popular cosmetic procedures available, is a straightforward approach to finally be rid of unwanted body hair.
Anyone inexperienced with the process is likely to have several questions, especially about how much it costs. Here’s what you should know about laser hair removal.
What is laser hair removal?
Laser hair removal is a method of removing unwanted hair from your body. It is non-invasive, which means no cuts in your skin are required.
This treatment can be applied to any region of the body, although the most typical sites are:
- Face
- Legs
- Underarms
- Bikini area, or any areas that grow pubic hair.
- Back
Table of Contents
Overview
Laser hair removal is a medical procedure that removes unwanted hair by using a concentrated beam of light (laser).
A laser emits light that is absorbed by the pigment (melanin) in the hair during laser hair removal.
The light energy is transformed into heat, which damages the hair-producing tube-shaped sacs within the skin (hair follicles).
This harm prevents or slows future hair development.
Although laser hair removal can effectively delay hair growth for extended periods, it seldom results in permanent hair eradication.
For initial hair removal, multiple laser hair removal treatments are required, and maintenance treatments may be required as well.
Laser hair removal works best on persons with light skin and dark hair, but it can be used on people of all skin types.
Who is eligible for laser hair removal?
Laser hair removal works best for persons with thick, dark hair and a fair complexion.
The difference between skin and hair color allows the hair to absorb heat more easily. It may not work as well for persons with dark skin or blonde, gray, white, or red hair.
Who shouldn’t have laser hair removal?
Before undergoing laser hair removal, consult with your doctor. You should avoid the surgery if you are:
- pregnant; or taking certain medications, such as acne treatments.
- Have herpes genitalis (HSV-2) or are prone to cold sores.
- Have keloid scars (raised scars) on your skin.
- Have skin cancer or have had skin cancer in the past?
What is the procedure for laser hair removal? How does laser hair removal work?
Laser hair removal employs a technique known as selective photothermolysis. Laser heat damages cells with a lot of pigment (color).
Dark hair absorbs the most heat due to its high pigment content. Hair sends heat to the hair follicles, destroying them and preventing hair growth.
For the technique to operate, a hair follicle must be in its anagen, or growth, stage. Because follicles grow at different rates, most people require numerous laser treatments.
What should I do to get ready for laser hair removal?
Avoid tanning beds and stay out of the sun as much as possible in the weeks leading up to your surgery.
Tanned skin, whether natural or artificial, can reduce the effectiveness of laser hair removal and cause negative effects.
Shave the treatment region two to three days before the treatment. Laser hair removal procedures will not work on hairs longer than a grain of rice.
Avoid waxing, tweezing, and plucking hair in the treated areas after treatment begins.
What happens during laser hair removal?
There are various steps involved in laser hair removal.
- Cleans the area; • Provides you with safety glasses or goggles to wear during the process. Your healthcare provider will also be wearing protective eyewear.
- Uses a laser to treat your skin. It could seem like a string of strings. Some compare it to a rubber band snapping across their skin.
Your operation could last a few minutes or an hour. It is determined by the size of the area to be treated.
You might notice the scent of smoke and burned hair. This is natural and is caused by the hair burning away from the heat of the laser.
What happens after laser hair removal?
Following laser hair removal, your skin may become red, inflamed, and painful.
You can apply a cold compress to the affected area. Avoid exposing the treated area to either natural or artificial sunlight.
You should be able to resume normal activities immediately.
Benefits of Laser Hair Removal
Laser hair removal is effective on the face, leg, chin, back, arm, underarm, bikini line, and other regions.
However, laser treatment cannot be performed on your eyelids, adjacent areas, or tattooed areas.
The following are some of the advantages of laser hair removal:
Precision. Lasers can carefully target dark, coarse hairs while causing no harm to the surrounding skin.
Speed. Each laser pulse lasts a fraction of a second and can treat many hairs at once. Every second, the laser can treat an area the size of a quarter. Small parts, like the upper lip, can be treated in under a minute, while larger areas, like the back or legs, can take up to an hour.
Predictability. After three to seven treatments, the majority of patients have permanent hair loss.
Laser Hair Removal: Advantages, Drawbacks, Cost, and Frequently Asked Questions
How to Prepare for Laser Hair Removal
Laser hair removal involves more than simply ”zapping” undesirable hair. It is a medical treatment that necessitates training and poses potential dangers.
If you plan to have laser hair removal, you should avoid plucking, waxing, and electrolysis for 6 weeks before the procedure.
This is because the laser targets the hair roots, which are removed momentarily by waxing or plucking.
Sun exposure should also be avoided for 6 weeks before and after therapy. Sun exposure reduces the effectiveness of laser hair removal and increases the likelihood of problems following treatment.
Before the surgery, avoid taking any blood-thinning drugs. If you’re using anti-inflammatories or aspirin regularly, consult your doctor about which medications to discontinue.
If you have darker skin, your doctor may advise you to use a skin-whitening cream. To darken your skin, avoid using sunless creams. For the operation, your skin should be as light as possible.
What Should You Expect During Laser Hair Removal?
During the operation, the pigment in your hair will absorb a laser light beam.
The light will be converted to heat, which will harm the hair follicle. The hair will stop growing as a result of the injury. This is accomplished in two to six sessions.
Is laser hair removal a safe procedure?
Most people find laser hair removal to be safe and effective. The procedure should only be performed by a qualified healthcare expert.
What are the risks of laser hair removal?
Laser hair removal may cause the following side effects:
- Blemishes
- Burns
- Outbreaks of herpes.
- Hyperpigmentation, which is defined as regions of skin that are darker than the surrounding skin.
- Hypopigmentation, or skin that is lighter in color than the surrounding skin.
- Infections
- Scars
What Is the Price of Laser Hair Removal?
Cost
Laser hair removal costs vary depending on the area of the body being treated and the number of treatments required.
For example, single treatments may cost approximately:
- £85 for the top lip
- £110 for the underarms
- The bikini line costs £130.
- £270 for the arms
Is laser hair removal a permanent procedure?
Although laser hair removal reduces the number of undesirable hairs in a specific location, it does not fully eliminate them.
They will be finer, lighter, and fewer in number when they grow back. Most people require four to six sessions, with periodic maintenance required.
What is the procedure for laser hair removal? How does laser hair removal work?
Laser hair removal works by heating and damaging the hair follicles, which temporarily stops hair production.
Common laser hair removal treatment regions
Laser hair removal is most typically used to treat the face, body, legs, armpits, and pubic area.
How long does laser hair removal last?
How long will laser hair removal results last? Most people are hair-free for months, if not years. It is likely that as part of the hair regrows, it will be less apparent.
A patient may require maintenance laser treatments to keep the area hair-free.
Side effects of laser hair removal on bikini area ~ Possible side effects of laser hair removal include:
- Blisters are one of the possible side effects of laser hair removal.
- Burns
- Outbreaks of herpes.
- Hyperpigmentation, which is defined as regions of skin that are darker than the surrounding skin.
- Hypopigmentation, or skin that is lighter in color than the surrounding skin.
- Infections
- Scars
Is laser hair removal safe to use on the face?
Laser hair removal is safe for most people and can be used anywhere on the body.
However, pregnant women should avoid any type of laser treatment, including laser hair removal. Laser hair removal can be performed on any part of the face, including the chin.
Best Laser hair removal near me Lagos
- Daisys Signatures Aesthetics Gbagada
- Celeb Beauty Clinic
- Laserderm Clinics
- Laserderm Clinics Ikeja
- Beauty Box Spa, Nail, and Beauty
- Natural SPA
How much does laser hair removal cost in Nigeria?
Laser Hair Removal Cost in Lagos
Laser Hair Removal in Lagos | The average cost in Naira |
Full body (face, trunk, armpits, upper &lower limbs, pubic area) | ₦ 350,000 |
Chin + beard area /sides of the face | ₦ 60,000 |
Full bikini/male pubic area | ₦ 80,000 |
Full face | ₦ 70,000 |
Does laser hair removal permanently remove hair?
Most people have hair removal that lasts for several months if not years. However, laser hair removal does not ensure permanent hair removal.
Is laser hair removal 100% effective?
When you undergo laser hair removal, there is a frequent fallacy that you will be completely hair free for the rest of your life.
The majority of people report a 90 percent permanent loss in hair growth, however, hormonal shifts can cause hair to regrow.
As a result, you may need to schedule further treatments in the future.
At-home laser hair removal ~ Does at-home laser hair removal work?
Is laser hair removal at home effective? If you have light or medium skin tone and dark hair, at-home laser hair removal works best.
If the skin tone is darker than a medium tone, the pulsed light will be unable to discern between the hair and the skin, perhaps resulting in discoloration.
How long do the effects of laser hair removal last?
After the first treatment, most patients see a 10% to 25% reduction in hair growth. You may not see new hair growth for several months or years after completing all of your treatments.
Is laser hair removal a permanent procedure?
Laser hair removal is not a permanent solution. Treatments are unlikely to target all hairs in the growth period.
Some hair will regrow, but it will be lighter and thinner than before.