Body hair is beautiful and nothing to be ashamed of. No one should feel pressured to get a permanent beauty procedure just to meet societal standards. It’s important to do what feels true to you! That being said, if you are someone who doesn’t want to deal with the time or worry that comes with shaving often, laser hair removal is the ultimate in self-care. It’s not only about getting rid of hair, it’s about cutting time off your beauty routine and making your life easier.
What Is Laser Hair Removal?
Laser hair removal is a (semi) permanent beauty procedure that uses a concentrated laser to remove unwanted hair from a desired area of the body. The laser damages the follicles that produce hair, preventing growth at the root. For some people, this treatment can last around 6 months, for others it lasts longer. Laser is great for all skin types, and is effective on all areas including legs, back, bikini, stomach, underarms, and even the face. The possibilities are limitless when it comes to laser hair removal.
How Much Does It Cost?
Laser hair removal varies in price depending on where you live and where you want the treatment on your body. For smaller treatment areas like your upper lip or face, you can expect to pay $100 or more a session. Larger treatment areas like your legs and arms can cost upwards of $300. Keep in mind, too, that long term hair-free results require multiple sessions – usually between 4 and 6 treatments. Then you will need maintenance sessions.
How To Prepare for Your Appointment:
- Shave the treatment area before your appointment to remove the hair above the skin.
- Avoid waxing, plucking, or any other hair removal methods that harm the root of the follicle.
- Avoid sun exposure before and after your treatment.
- Avoid spray tans
- Do not take any blood-thinning medications before treatment.
- Avoid drinking alcohol 24 hours before your treatment.
What To Expect At Your Appointment:
You can expect to see results from your laser hair removal treatment after anywhere from two to six treatments. It all depends on the area where you are receiving treatment and how thick the hair is. In areas where there tends to be rapid growth, like the upper lip or underarms, more sessions will be necessary to treat the hair follicles.
When you get to your treatment, you will be asked to put goggles on in order to protect your eyes. Depending on the where you go, a physician may put a topical anesthetic on the area to ease any discomfort during the treatment. Next, the physician will use a handheld laser (that is harmless to your skin) to damage the hair follicles, which in turn stops growth. This procedure can be uncomfortable, so ask for a numbing cream if they do not offer it.
The treatment can take a few minutes or upwards of an hour, depending on the area of treatment. After the treatment, you may notice some redness and swelling, but that should subside after a day or so. If it feels tender, put some ice on the irritated area. Avoid tanning beds or extended exposure to the sun for at least six weeks after laser hair removal. If you need to be in the sun, use sunscreen, and avoid the gym for 24 hours after the treatment.