Laser hair removal is one of the most popular types of beauty procedure carried out across the world today. This guide looks at not only the process of laser hair removal but also the positive and negative effects of completing the procedure too. It also answers what effect hair and skin colour can have on the end result.
What is laser hair removal?
The scientific description of laser hair removal is: “Laser hair removalis the process of removing unwanted hair by means of exposure to pulses of laser light that destroy the hair follicle.”
Essentially, laser hair removal is a cosmetic treatment for removing unwanted hair around your body. It has been used for a number of years as an alternative to waxing, plucking and shaving.
How does it work?
As the name suggests, laser hair removal relies on laser light to destroy the hair follicle. It does this by sending beams of highly concentrated light penetrate through the layers of skin right down to the follicle. The pigments within the hair absorbs this light which leads to the hair follicle dying off and the hair disappearing.
What are the benefits?
There are a whole host of benefits to choosing laser hair removal over other hair removal treatments.
Results- One of the best things about laser hair removal is that most people will see permanent hair loss after just 3 to 7 sessions.
Speed- Removing hair on your body can take a considerable amount of time if you bleach, wax or shave. In comparison laser hair removal can treat a number of hairs at the same time and each pulse only takes a fraction of a second. Large areas such as your legs can take up to an hour with smaller sections such as the upper lip only taking a minute.
Precision- Laser hair removal can be used to target specific areas or even hairs that leave the others around it and the skin, undamaged.
Are there any drawbacks?
Much like any other method of hair removal there is a likelihood that you will feel some discomfort during the process.
Afterwards your skin will look and feel just like it is sunburnt. Treatment is as simple as applying cool compresses and moisturizers to the affected areas. You may also see swelling, redness and scarring.
A rare complication is blisters and this is more likely in people who have darker complexions.
Can skin and hair colour effect the results?
Both the colour of your skin and the hair that you want to remove can have an effect on the results that you see after laser hair removal.
Hair colour
Light, medium, dark brown and black hair will see a good result from laser hair removal.
Blonde or red hair will still see results from laser hair removal but these will be subtle and could take some time to notice.
Laser hair removal is least effective on white or grey hair.
Skin colour
If you have white, ivory, beige and light brown skin are all suitable for laser hair removal systems. However, for those who have medium or dark brown skin you want to ensure that the system you choose is suitable for your skin type. Otherwise you could see damage to your skin or even de-pigmentation in some cases.
Whilst you can go to a clinic to receive laser hair removal procedures these can prove to be costly over a longer term. Gadgets that you can use at home may be an easier and cost effective option; and as the technology improves, over time these can also herald the same results that you would see in a clinic.
Laser Hair Removal
Laser hair removal is one of the most popular types of beauty procedure carried out across the world today. This guide looks at not only the process of laser hair removal but also the positive and negative effects of completing the procedure too. It also answers what effect hair and skin colour can have on the end result.
What is laser hair removal?
The scientific description of laser hair removal is: “Laser hair removal is the process of removing unwanted hair by means of exposure to pulses of laser light that destroy the hair follicle.”
Essentially, laser hair removal is a cosmetic treatment for removing unwanted hair around your body. It has been used for a number of years as an alternative to waxing, plucking and shaving.
How does it work?
As the name suggests, laser hair removal relies on laser light to destroy the hair follicle. It does this by sending beams of highly concentrated light penetrate through the layers of skin right down to the follicle. The pigments within the hair absorbs this light which leads to the hair follicle dying off and the hair disappearing.
What are the benefits?
There are a whole host of benefits to choosing laser hair removal over other hair removal treatments.
Results- One of the best things about laser hair removal is that most people will see permanent hair loss after just 3 to 7 sessions.
Speed- Removing hair on your body can take a considerable amount of time if you bleach, wax or shave. In comparison laser hair removal can treat a number of hairs at the same time and each pulse only takes a fraction of a second. Large areas such as your legs can take up to an hour with smaller sections such as the upper lip only taking a minute.
Precision- Laser hair removal can be used to target specific areas or even hairs that leave the others around it and the skin, undamaged.
Are there any drawbacks?
Much like any other method of hair removal there is a likelihood that you will feel some discomfort during the process.
Afterwards your skin will look and feel just like it is sunburnt. Treatment is as simple as applying cool compresses and moisturizers to the affected areas. You may also see swelling, redness and scarring.
A rare complication is blisters and this is more likely in people who have darker complexions.
Can skin and hair colour effect the results?
Both the colour of your skin and the hair that you want to remove can have an effect on the results that you see after laser hair removal.
Hair colour
Light, medium, dark brown and black hair will see a good result from laser hair removal.
Blonde or red hair will still see results from laser hair removal but these will be subtle and could take some time to notice.
Laser hair removal is least effective on white or grey hair.
Skin colour
If you have white, ivory, beige and light brown skin are all suitable for laser hair removal systems. However, for those who have medium or dark brown skin you want to ensure that the system you choose is suitable for your skin type. Otherwise you could see damage to your skin or even de-pigmentation in some cases.
Whilst you can go to a clinic to receive laser hair removal procedures these can prove to be costly over a longer term. Gadgets that you can use at home may be an easier and cost effective option; and as the technology improves, over time these can also herald the same results that you would see in a clinic.