Did you know that 83% of Canadian women who remove leg hair do so by shaving? Shaving is time-consuming, uncomfortable, and not long-lasting. There has to be a better way.
You might be wondering about laser hair removal. It's an innovative solution, but it looks uncomfortable and costly. Is laser hair removal worth it, or should you stick to your other hair removal methods?
Let's talk about it. Read on to learn all about laser hair removal so you can decide if it's right for you.
How Does Laser Hair Removal Work?
Laser hair removal might seem scary or futuristic, but it's fairly straightforward.
When you go to your laser hair removal session, you'll still have some hair on the targeted body part (more on that later). That hair is necessary for the procedure to work.
During the session, the laser hair removal device will use light to target the pigment in the hair, melt the hair, and damage the hair follicle. Over time, this will prevent hair from growing in that area.
How Many Laser Hair Removal Sessions Will You Need?
Many people aren't aware that a single session of laser hair removal won't be enough to completely get rid of your unwanted hair. This is because the treatment only works on hair that's in its growth phase.
Your hair has three phases. The growth phase, anagen, is the one that you want to target, but all of your hair isn't in the anagen phase at the same time. Lasers may remove the hair that's in other phases, but they won't be effective at stopping future growth.
Skin color and hair color can also impact how many treatments you'll need. Laser hair removal works best on people who have a high level of contrast between their skin tone and their hair color. People with dark skin and dark hair often need more sessions than people with pale skin and dark hair.
Many people see good results after only three sessions, while others need upward of nine. You'll discuss this with the hair removal specialist when you arrive for a consultation.
What Happens During Laser Hair Removal?
Before each laser hair removal session, it's best to avoid direct sunlight. You also need to avoid using other hair removal methods prior to your treatment session.
When it comes to shaving, going a few days without a razor should be enough. You need to be able to see and feel your hair in the areas that are getting treatment.
If you use hair removal creams, wax, or plucking, avoid doing this for several weeks before your treatment session. The laser needs to be able to find the hair to remove it.
It might be uncomfortable to walk around with unwanted hair, but the end result will be smooth and hairless skin. It's worth the wait.
Your treatment sessions will last anywhere between twenty minutes and an hour and a half. Smaller areas, like the underarms or upper lip, will only take a few minutes. If you're doing larger body parts, like your back or legs, you'll need longer sessions.
Sessions will be uncomfortable, but they shouldn't be painful. The technician may use a gentle numbing cream to alleviate discomfort. You and the technician may have to wear protective eyewear.
After the treatment session, it's normal to experience some swelling, redness, and discomfort. This should fade in several days.
Laser Hair Removal Benefits
So why would you consider laser hair removal instead of sticking with your standard hair removal option? It can be expensive and uncomfortable, so what's the draw?
Here are a few reasons why so many people opt for laser hair removal to remove unwanted hair.
No Mess
There's no perfectly "neat" method of at-home hair removal.
If you're shaving or plucking, you have to clean up your leftover hair. If you're using hair-removal creams, you have to go through the process of smearing them all over and cleaning them up. If you're waxing, you have to deal with sticky wax.
Laser hair removal treatment is mess-free. There's nothing to clean up. You're just left with soft and smooth skin.
Less Discomfort
It's true that laser hair removal is uncomfortable, but when you compare it to other forms of hair removal, the discomfort is minor and short-term.
You'll have to suffer through several hours total of discomfort for a lifetime of soft and hairless skin. How much discomfort do you sit through for routine waxing sessions? How often do you accidentally knick yourself when you're shaving?
Even "painless" hair removal creams can burn, and their results aren't long-lasting.
Long-Term Results
The top reason that people opt for laser hair removal is that the results last a long time (sometimes forever, though it's not uncommon to need touch-ups).
When you shave, you likely have to shave at least twice per week, and you won't be silky-smooth between shaves. Plucking lasts a good amount of time, but you can't pluck your entire body, which is time-consuming.
Waxing and hair-removal creams last longer than shaving, but you still need to use these methods often if you want to stay hairless.
The cost of laser hair removal is high, but consider how much money you spend buying razors, waxing sessions, and whatever else you use to eliminate unwanted hair. If you are always trying to keep up with hair removal, the cost is beyond worthwhile.
So Is Laser Hair Removal Worth It? Yes
With this information in mind, is laser hair removal worth it to you?
Anyone who has unwanted body hair that they're tired of trying to maintain will likely say "yes." While it may be more costly than other hair removal methods, it yields long-lasting results and you may end up saving money in the long run
At Laser Spot, we offer a wide variety of services (including laser hair removal) that can help you look and feel your best. Book a free consultation with us today!