If you’re aiming for the perfect beach body, you’ll likely spend a lot of time, money, and effort controlling your body hair. Waxing is costly since it should be done once a month, and that’s not even mentioning the pain. Shaving also has to be done even more regularly, and the quality of your razor could land you with plenty of nicks and cuts. Plus, regularly buying razors and shaving cream ends up being a lot of costs—and waste. If only there was a safe, permanent way to tackle this hairiest of issues.
Fortunately, laser hair removal presents a safe and effective hair removal solution. While the process may seem daunting at first, here’s a guide to safely conduct a laser hair removal treatment at home.
How Does Laser Hair Removal Process Work?
As the fourth most common, minimally invasive beauty procedure performed by American plastic surgeons, laser hair removal therapy is a popular procedure. But how exactly does it work?
Unlike waxing or shaving, laser hair removal targets the hair follicle itself. The heat from the laser device kills the hair follicle so that it stops growing hair.
Laser treatment works best when there’s a high contrast between your hair and skin color, being most effective for light-skinned individuals with dark hair, and typically requires a number of treatments to be fully effective. Individuals with darker skin or lighter hair should rely on professionals for laser treatments, as the process is generally more complicated.
If the treatment is right for you, however, you may be surprised by its effectiveness!
Home Options
While having a certified plastic surgeon perform your laser hair removal treatments is the safest option, it’s also the priciest. One treatment session can cost up to USD$400, and permanent results can take between two and eight sessions.
Fortunately, companies have begun to develop safe, easy to use hair removal devices that are suitable for home use. These devices cost around USD$200 to USD$500, so they’re a bit of an investment, but are still much more affordable than professional treatments and safe if used correctly.
Some devices may use Intense Pulsed Light (IPL), while other options employ the same laser technology that hair removal centers use. Find out more about the best laser hair removal devices for home use.
How To Prepare For Treatments
The process of using a laser hair removal device is pretty straightforward. You point the device at the area of your body you want to be hair-free, and you allow the device to target the hair follicles with a laser pulse. The process is repeated until the area has been effectively treated. While most areas of the body can be safely treated, make sure to avoid your eyes, tattooed skin, and the genital area.
Before you decide to undergo any kind of laser hair removal treatment, there are a number of steps you should take to ensure your safety, especially if you’re doing the procedure yourself:
- Avoid the sun! Try not to expose yourself to extensive amounts of sunlight before or after treatment. Also, make sure to wear sunscreen when going outside.
- Shave. While it might seem counterintuitive, shaving will allow your laser hair removal device to focus on hair follicles rather than burning stray hairs – and your skin – in the process. Avoid waxing or any other treatments that can irritate your skin.
- To ensure that you have or maintain good skin health, it’s important that you stay moisturized and stay hydrated. You can even use a cooling cream if the heat from the device is a major source of discomfort for you.
- Avoid taking anti-inflammatory medication or supplements prior to treatment.
After your treatment, keep an eye on treated areas to see if any discomfort or irritation develops. If you notice any issues, contact a dermatologist immediately. If your skin reacts well, you’ll have to repeat the treatment several times to ensure effectiveness.
Will it Last?
Laser treatment is the closest thing to permanent hair removal on the market. After a few weeks, you’ll notice the full effects, and you may not have to worry about body hair for months or even years!
Major hormonal changes, such as pregnancy or menopause, may cause unexpected hair growth, even after laser treatment, but most users generally report a significant reduction in hair growth.
If you’re fed up with the stress of shaving or waxing, home laser hair removal might be an easy, stress-free, and lasting option for you!
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