Laser Hair Removal

Why Laser Hair Removal Is a Must-Have Cosmetic Procedure

Did you know that in 2020, there were a total of 15,595,955 cosmetic procedures done in the US alone? Of that number, 757,808 were laser hair removal treatments. That made it the seventh most common minimally/non-invasive cosmetic procedure that year.

One reason laser hair removal is so popular is that it’s effective in getting rid of unwanted hair. What’s more, it provides longer-lasting results than shaving or waxing.

So, what exactly sets lasers apart from razor blades and waxes? Why is this beauty procedure a much better choice in the long run?

This guide outlines all the top answers to those questions, so be sure to read on!

Become Hair-Free Without Using Razors

Studies found that 50% to 87% of people groom their pubic hair. Unfortunately, many of those who follow this practice sustain injuries. Lacerations are the most common, followed by burns, rashes, and even infections.

All those injuries, in turn, can occur when using shaving razors. Waxing, on the other hand, can result in burns and rashes.

Fortunately, laser hair removal doesn’t involve blades or waxes. Instead, it’s a non-invasive, non-surgical procedure that uses laser light. That concentrated light beam comes from a hand-held device placed on the skin.

The melanin (pigment) that the hair strands contain absorbs the laser light. From there, the light energy gets converted into heat, damaging the sacs in the hair follicles. Since the sacs produce hairs, damaging them delays or inhibits future hair growth.

Lower Risks of Developing Ingrown Hair

Another skin condition that health experts associate with shaving is Pseudofolliculitis Barbae (PFB). Also known as razor bumps, PFB is one of the several complications of ingrown hair.

Razor bumps are most common among people with naturally curly hair. However, anyone who removes hair by shaving, tweezing, or waxing can develop it.

That’s because PFB often occurs when part of the hair gets left behind in the follicle. For example, when you shave, it only removes the visible part of the strand. Moreover, the blade creates a sharper edge on the tip of the cut hair.

Improper tweezing and waxing can also cause similar bumps as they may fail to get rid of the entire strand. Instead, they make the hair snap, resulting in a sharper edge.

Either way, those sharp-tipped strands can curve into and pierce the skin as they grow out. The skin may then regard the penetrating hair as a foreign body. From there, it may react by becoming inflamed.

For some people, ingrown hair improves without medical treatment. Many others aren’t as lucky, though, as they develop complications such as scarring. In addition, keloids, hyperpigmentation, and bacterial infection may also occur.

Laser hair removal doesn’t come with the same risk, as it destroys the sacs that hold the hair. In doing so, the entire strands fall out, starting from the tip to the roots. Since there are no cuts, no jagged strands can penetrate the skin to cause ingrown hair or PFB.

Fewer Potential Side Effects

Laser hair removal isn’t risk-free, but the side effects it can cause are minor, lasting only for one to three days. These include some discomfort, swelling, and redness on the treated areas. To cut the risk of side effects, your chosen specialist may apply a cool gel on your skin before the procedure.

If you want the least amount of pain, look for a specialist using the Deka Motus AX laser machine. This guide on laser hair removal Brampton patients can get claims that it allows for a pain-free procedure.

Longer-Lasting Results With Multiple Treatments

Not all hair strands will fall out right after your first laser hair removal session. Still, you can expect the rest to shed over a few days to weeks.

However, remember that this beauty procedure damages the sacs securing the strands. The sacs need time to recover, so hair growth doesn’t occur immediately after the strands fall. That’s why you can expect your hair to grow out not until after a few months.

If you want longer-lasting results, though, consider undergoing several sessions.

According to studies, four to six sessions are necessary for adequate hair removal. You then have to space each procedure four to six weeks apart during this initial phase. After that, you may only need one follow-up session after every six to 12 months to keep your skin hair-free.

By contrast, shaved hair usually grows out after a day or two. After all, you’re only removing the visible part of the strand.

Waxed hair takes longer to grow out than shaved hair, but you can expect it to show up after about two weeks or less. So, if you want to keep your skin hair-free with waxing, you may have to repeat the process twice a month.

Safe for Light and Dark Skin

In the past, laser hair removal was only safe for light-skinned individuals with dark hair. The beauty procedure also used to be more painful than it is today.

However, laser hair removal is now safe on all skin types, thanks to better laser machines. For that reason, even patients with light skin and light hair can enjoy its benefits. The same goes for people with dark skin.

However, you might need more sessions if you belong in those categories. That’s because the procedure’s success depends on the contrast of your skin with your hair. The farther apart their color is, the easier it is for the light to target the hair.

You may also have to undergo treatment with a particular laser device if you have dark skin and dark hair. Such a machine is better at detecting hair against the skin.

Can Treat Most Areas of the Body

The most common areas that laser hair removal can treat are the armpits, bikini line, chin, legs, and upper lip. However, you can get the procedure for almost any other area, such as your arms, back, or chest. The only parts you want to leave untouched are the eyelids and surrounding areas.

Saves Time

According to an older poll, women spend 1,728 hours shaving their legs over their lifetime. Yet, despite all that time spent on shaving, 35% of women said they hated doing it.

Waxing takes even longer, as you must remove the hair in small patches, one area at a time. Moreover, you need to account for the time to heat the wax if you’re going with hot wax. So, a whole-body waxing session can take at least an hour, more if you have thicker hair.

As for laser hair removal, each session can take anywhere from under a minute to an hour. That depends on the size of the treatment area; small ones, such as the upper lip, may only need a minute or less. Larger areas, such as the back or legs, may take about 60 minutes or more.

Now, that’s longer than shaving but remember: hair removed by laser takes months to grow out. Moreover, the new strands are usually lighter and thinner. So, even if each session takes longer, there’s more time between treatments.

That’s how opting for hair removal instead of shaving or waxing can save you more time.

Save Money in the Long Run

Shaving is undeniably the cheapest option upfront, as disposable razors only cost $5 to $10 for a pack of four. Each can last you for 5 to 10 shaves, so that pack can last you at least a month if you shave daily. However, your costs may rise by $5 to $10 if you want to use shaving cream to help protect your skin.

So, with shaving, you’re looking at a monthly cost of $10 to $20 for a yearly total of $120 to $240.

On the other hand, full-leg waxing services range from $50 to $100, while Brazilian waxes cost about $35 to $100. So, if you get both once a month, you’re looking at a yearly cost of $1,020 to $2,400.

Now, those figures may seem affordable, but don’t forget the safety risks of shaving and waxing. If you cut yourself and then develop an infection, you’re likely to end up spending more on medicines.

With all that said, laser hair removal is still undoubtedly the costliest upfront. As per the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, laser hair removal costs an average of $389. So, if you need six sessions plus one follow-up, that would sum up to $2,723 during the first year.

After that, though, you’d only pay $389 to $778 a year for your maintenance treatments. Moreover, since laser has fewer risks, you may not have to worry too much about side effects.

Go With Laser for a Safer Hair Removal Cosmetic Procedure

There you have it, all the top reasons that make laser hair removal a must-have cosmetic procedure. While it costs more than shaving or waxing upfront, it’s safer and gives you soft and hair-free skin longer.

Besides, that higher price tag is just for your first round of treatments. After that, you’ll pay much less to maintain your smooth, luxurious skin.

Are you interested in even more health, beauty, and wellness guides like this? Head over to our site’s other categories for the latest on these topics, then!

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