Introduction
Permanent facial hair removal is a medical procedure that uses a laser – an intense, pulsating beam of light – to accomplish unwanted facial hair removal. The laser beam passes through the upper skin layer to the hair follicle. The intense heat of the laser damages the hair follicle, which inhibits future hair growth.
Laser hair removal is most effective for people who have light skin and dark hair. Although laser hair removal effectively slows hair growth, it doesn’t guarantee permanent unwanted facial hair removal. It typically takes several laser hair removal treatments to provide an extended hair-free period. Maintance treatments my be needed.
The benefits
Laser hair removal is used for unwanted facial hair removal. The most common treatment locations are legs, upper lip, chin, back, chest, armpits and bikini line. Unwanted facial hair removal is very common.
Hair color, thickness and skin type have certain influence in the success of the hair unwanted facial hair removal treatment. For example, laser hair removal is most effective for people who have light skin and dark hair because the laser beam targets the pigment (melanin) in the hair . People who have darker skin can also attempt laser hair removal, but the laser beam may also affect the melanin in the skin. Laser hair removal isn’t generally effective for white, blond or gray hair – although treatment options for lighter hair continue to be investigated.
Possible risks involved
Laser hair removal doesn’t guarantee permanent unwanted facial hair removal of unwanted facial hair. There are cases that hair is resistant to laser treatment or grows back again. New hair growth is often finer and much lighter in color then before.
The most common side effects of laser hair removal include:
- Irritation of the skin. Light temorary irritation which might include crusitng or scabbing.
- Pigment changes. Laser treatment can ligthen or darken the skin. This is temporarily. Lightening of the skin is most common to those who have a darker skin tone.
- Rarely, laser hair removal may cause blistering, scarring or other changes in skin texture.
Preparation
If you’re interested in laser unwanted faicial hair removal to get rid of facial hair, choose a doctor who’s board certified in a specialty such as dermatology or cosmetic surgery and has experience with laser hair removal. Make sure the specialist supervises or is available on-site during treatments if an assistent or licensed nurse does the procedure. Be cautious about spas, salons or other facilities that allow nonmedical personnel to do unwanted facial hair removal with laser equipment.
Before laser hair removal, schedule a consultation with the doctor. Your doctor will:
- Review your medical history, including medication use
- Discuss risks, benefits and expectations, including what laser hair removal can and can’t do for you
- Discuss a treatment plan and the related costs involved.
Tkae photos so they can be used for reviews and before and after assessments.
He will also give you comon guidelines. Few examples are:
- Stay out if the sun as much as possible. A darker tan will increase the risk of possible side effects. If youu already have a significant tan it’s best to wait untill the tan fades before undergoing treatment.
- Avoid plucking, waxing and electrolysis. Other hair removal methods to get rid of unwanted facial hair such as these can interfere with the laser hair removal treatment of the unwanted facial hair as it disturbs the hair follicle. Shaving is OK, however, since it preserves the hair shaft and follicle.
What to expect
Special goggles will be provided to you before starting treatment to protect your eyes from the laser. A topical anesthetic may be applied to your skin by the specialist to reduce discomfort that you may experience. Do not apply any anesthetics on your own, unless your doctor provides you with application instructions to do so.
During the procedure
The doctor will press a hand-held laser instrument to your skin. Depending on the type of laser, a cooling device on the tip of the instrument or a cool gel may be used to protect your skin.
The laser beam will pas through the upper layer of skin to the hair follicles below. The intense heat from the laser beam damages the hair follicles, which inhibits hair growth thus removing the unwanted facial hair. You may feel a stinging sensation.
Treating a small area, such as the upper lip, may take only a few minutes. Treating a larger area, such as the back, may take several hours.
After the treatment
Redness and swelling will occur for the first several hours after the unwanted facial hair removal treatment. A stinging sensation may linger for a day or two. Treated skin may also become slightly crusted.
While you’re healing from laser hair removal, wash your skin gently with soap and water. Avoid picking at or vigorously scrubbing the affected skin. Avoiding sun exposure is a must. Natural sunlight as well as tanning beds should be avoided for at least one week. After this initial period use sunscreen whenever you’re in the sun.
Results
Results of laser hair removal vary greatly from person to person. Multiple treatments can prolong the duration of hair loss, but hair regrowth is still possible. With multiple treatment be sure to space them a numner of weeks apart. This will guarantee the best results. Periodic maintance may be needed. This will often be once every 6 or 12 months.