american laser skincare

Hair removal is a monthly battle for most women. But thanks to laser hair removal, you can now have unwanted hair removed faster and get results that are more long-lasting. If you’ve been considering laser hair removal, here are some things you can expect during and after your treatment:

DURING YOUR TREATMENT

Target area check

Assuming you’ve had your doctor’s consultation and completed the necessary evaluation for laser hair removal, during your first appointment, your therapist will first ensure that the area to undergo laser hair removal is clean and free of cosmetics.

Anaesthetic application

In order to reduce the discomfort of the treatment, a topical anaesthetic cream is often applied to your skin. There are many types of laser hair removal equipment in use today, and most lasers now have cooling devices designed to lessen any painful sensation that the treatment may cause. These devices also help protect the skin from burning and helps reduce the risk of skin discoloration.

Laser at work

The laser works through pulses. How each pulse feels has been likened to the snapping of a rubber band or warm pinpricks against the skin. Don’t worry though, most patients are able to tolerate the sensation without the need for more powerful anaesthesia. If you happen to be the sensitive type, consult your doctor about taking a pain reliever to reduce the pain.

Each pulse treats an area of about two square centimeters and about ten hairs. Ideally, the result is that the hairs treated with the laser are immediately vaporized. Usually there is no need for further removal but in some cases, you need to wait for shedding to take place within 10 to 25 days. Don’t be alarmed if it looks like hair is growing back. You can speed up the shedding process by gently exfoliating the area in the shower with a loofa. You may see some areas of your skin bearing little black dots called ‘pepperspots,’ but these will eventually shed over time.

AFTER YOUR TREATMENT

After your treatment, follow the post-treatment instructions given to you carefully to get best results.

Swelling, redness and blistering

You will probably experience a small amount of swelling and redness around the hair follicles after treatment. Your skin might also feel like it has been sunburned. To remedy this, ice packs may be used at the end of the treatment session.

You may also get some blistering of the skin. Use a topical antibiotic ointment a couple of times a day until the area has healed. To hydrate the skin and reduce swelling and redness, a mild steroid cream may be prescribed, but you can also use an aloe vera-based cream for a few days to soothe the irritation.

Shun the sun and no shaving

You should avoid exposure to the sun after treatment. Cosmetics, however, can be applied right away. During a course of treatment you should avoid any form of hair removal in the treated area such as waxing, sugaring, threading or plucking.

Hair regrowth

Expect some normal regrowth of the hair that was dormant during your treatment. When there is enough regrowth, attend your next treatment session to further reduce the amount of hair. This usually happens within six weeks to three months.

As you may already know, laser hair removal treatments will continue in this way until you are happy with the reduction in hair growth. You can then go for maintenance treatments as needed. If you have any questions at all, always ask your doctor or laser hair removal clinic for advice.