Laser hair removal is a popular cosmetic procedure worldwide. It is a medical procedure that works by concentrating a beam of light known as a laser into the hair follicles to remove unwanted hair. During the process of laser hair removal, the laser produces light which is absorbed by the melanin in the hair. Then the light converts into heat which destroys the hair follicles responsible for hair growth. That inhibits or delays the future growth of hair. 

Laser hair removal in Calgary is a viable option if the other methods of removing unwanted hair like shaving, tweezing, waxing, etc., do not give you satisfactory results. However, you need multiple laser hair removal sessions and maintenance treatments to get permanent results.

Benefits of laser hair removal

Inhibits the growth of unwanted hair

Laser hair removal is used to eliminate unwanted hair. Some common treatment areas include armpits, legs, chest, back, upper lip, chin, sideburns, hands, bikini line, etc. It makes it possible to remove unwanted hair in almost every area of the body apart from the eyelids and its surrounding. But, skin with tattoos should not be treated with laser hair removal.

Precision

Laser hair removal can selectively target coarse hairs on the treatment area to remove them while leaving the surrounding skin undamaged.

Speed

Every pulse of a laser only takes a fraction of a second to treat many hair follicles at one ago which means it is possible to treat a quarter of the selected area every second. Usually, large treatment areas such as the back and the chest might take as long as an hour during treatment, but small areas like the upper lip can take as little as a minute to treat.

Higher predictability

Laser hair removal inhibits or delays the future growth of hair. For permanent results, repeated sessions are necessary. As such, most patients experience permanent results after around three to seven sessions.

Risks of laser hair removal

Skin damage is prone to occur when there is little or no contrast between the hair and skin color. The laser is less effective when treating hair colors that do not absorb light well, like blond, grey, white, and red. However, there are laser technology developments for light-colored hair. The advances in laser technology have also made it possible for people with darker skin to be eligible for laser hair removal.

Laser hair removal is not suitable for eyebrows, eyelids, or the surrounding area because it could cause severe eye injury.

How to prepare for a laser hair removal

Laser hair removal is a medical procedure performed by a laser technician since it carries potential risks. Therefore, it is good to do your due diligence on the technician performing it.

If you plan to have a laser hair removal treatment, avoid plucking, electrolysis and waxing at least six weeks before the treatment. The reason is, such hair removal methods temporarily remove the hair roots, which are the target during laser hair removal.

Keep out of the sun before and after laser hair removal since it can reduce the effectiveness of laser hair removal. It is also critical to review your medical history and discuss it with your laser technician.

The takeaway

Discuss with your laser technician the benefits, risks, and expectations you have of laser hair removal before the procedure.