Laser Hair Removal: An In-depth guide to laser hair removal
Laser hair removal is one of the most popular and effective procedures in which an expert uses a laser to remove unwanted body hair.
Laser hair removal, also known as Laser-assisted hair reduction or laser depilation, is another way of getting rid of body hair once and for all. Whether you have unwanted body hair or want to get rid of pesky facial whiskers, learning about all the different types of laser hair removal can help you decide which type is best for you.
The procedure is quite fast – generally taking between 10 and 20 minutes – and doesn’t require any recovery time meaning you can get it done at your convenience. 수염 레이저 제모
Like any cosmetic operation, laser hair removal reportedly carries some risks. However, with the proper knowledge and caution, you can safely get rid of excess hair from most areas of your body.
Read on to learn more about this popular form of hair removal and what you need to know before proceeding with an appointment at a laser clinic.
What is Laser hair removal?
Laser hair elimination gets rid of undesirable hair out of your pores and skin with the use of laser light. This procedure targets the hair follicles and disrupts their growth cycle, causing them to die or fall out.
Compared to shaving and waxing, which only remove the top layer of skin, laser hair removal removes hair from the follicles. The melanin absorbs the intense light beams used in laser hair removal in the hair follicle. This ruptures the follicle, resulting in permanent hair loss.
Laser hair removal can be effective for both men and women, and it’s considered one of the most potent forms of hair removal. It’s also a safe procedure with little to no side effects depending on the skin type.
Most common body parts that may get laser hair removal include:
● Back
● Bikini Area
● Face(chin and upper lips)
● Shoulders
● Underarm
● Legs
Laser hair removal is classified into two types:
● Intense pulsed light (IPL)
● Erbium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet (Er: YAG).
IPL is the more common type and is effective in removing short hairs in just a few treatments.
Er: YAG is more effective at removing medium-length hairs, but it requires multiple treatments to
see results. However, hot areas and other adverse side effects are also more likely.
The patient’s skin type, skin tone, and hair color determine the type of laser used. Apart from the
two aforementioned, there are other types of lasers:
● Alexandrite: one of the most popular types of laser, it is fast and suitable for large body areas
● Diode: This laser is used for patients with a darker skin tone
● Photothermolysis: Also called intense pulsed sources. This is not a laser but works effectively to remove hair.
● Neodymium YAG: Neodymium YAG is suitable for all skin types
● Ruby: This is one of the first lasers ever produced. It is used for removing light and fine hair.
How is Laser Hair removal done?
When you wax, you often find a few hairs starting to grow again a week later. Hair has three separate growth phases, so not all hair grows at once. These hairs are often not the same hairs you waxed a week ago; they would be hairs from another follicle at a different growth phase.
The following are the phases:
● Anagen – the growing phase.
● Catagen – the hair follicle dying stage and enters the telogen phase
● Telogen – the resting phase in which the hair remains. This phase is inactive and falls out quickly.
During laser hair removal, most providers use two main settings: a low setting, which is used to target the outermost layer of skin, the papilla of the follicle. This is where the hair is located.
The second setting targets deeper dermis layers, where hair follicles primarily reside. This setting can be called a “rape” because the light is so intense that it penetrates the dermis and destroys the hair follicle.
All hair removal procedures use the same light-based technology; the treatments are the same. Bright laser beams are directed toward the unwanted hair during a treatment session. The beam passes through the skin and selectively targets the melanin in hair follicles.
This creates heat and friction, rupturing and destroying the hair follicle. A temperature of roughly 70 degrees is needed to destroy the hair follicle. Hair follicles are located in the dermis, just below the epidermis, usually less than 1mm in size. The pigment in the hair follicles absorbs light energy, destroying the hair.
Depending on the size of the laser handpiece, more affected areas can be treated simultaneously. Therefore, following the initial treatment, your skin might become smoother, and the hair will regrow with finer, weaker hair. You might also experience some improvements after your first treatment, such as – smooth skin and weak, thin hair regrowth.
Since the hair follicles are growing, most treatments include at least 4 to 6 procedures. Over time, touch-ups may be required. Each additional treatment will produce more noticeable and impressive results until all hair follicles have been destroyed, effectively stopping hair growth.
What to expect before and after a Laser Hair removal procedure
A laser hair removal procedure typically takes three to six treatments. This might vary depending on the location of the body hair. Areas like the upper lip that have a quick hair regrowth take up to five to nine weeks to repeat the procedure for complete hair removal. In areas such as the back with slow hair regrowth, the procedure is much longer, taking up to 12 to
Sixteen weeks for another treatment.
During the procedure
A laser procedure comprises two parts: a laser and a target. The laser (also known as a “light”) has a wavelength the target may absorb. This can enhance the body’s healing response and reduce inflammation.