Laser Hair Removal

Life becomes so tedious if you constantly have to worry about removing unwanted body and facial hair. Most of us want to look good and presentable at all times and have smooth and clear skin. Regular waxing, shaving and tweezing are such a bothersome job for many especially for those who get acne-like breakouts or razor bumps.

Luckily, for these people, laser hair removal is a blessing in disguise as it solves your problem of permanently removing unsightly hair from your body. It is a common procedure which is offered by skin clinics all over India. For effective and professional treatment, laser hair removal Delhi is highly popular. There are several dermatologists and medical professionals in Delhi who are well-trained to provide this cosmetic procedure.

You must be wondering how does laser work on the hair

This is a simple procedure wherein the highly concentrated light is beamed into your hair follicles which is absorbed by the pigment in the follicles due to which it gets damaged and inhibits further hair growth. But you will require several sessions for the desired result.

Which areas can be treated with laser hair removal?

Usually, lasers for hair removal can be effectively used on most body parts including large body areas and the areas commonly treated are:

  1. Chin
  2. Upper Lip
  3. Neck
  4. Underarm
  5. Legs
  6. Hand
  7. Bikini area
  8. Chest
  9. Back
  10. Shoulder

What are the advantages of laser hair removal?

Accuracy – It is relatively a safe treatment as the lasers target the coarse dark hair and do not cause any damage to the surrounding skin.

Speed – Lasers work at a great speed and each pulse takes around a fraction of a second to simultaneously treat many hairs at the same time. Treating large areas like the chest or legs may take up to an hour whereas a small area like the upper lip will take less than a minute to treat.

Outcome – This treatment usually provides permanent result after around three to six sessions. In case of any re-growth, you will notice the hair to be finer and lighter in color. The procedure can be safely repeated in such a situation.

What are its limitations?

This procedure is done on most body parts excluding the eyelid and its surrounding area.

The success of laser hair removal depends on the skin type and hair color. The laser is most effective on people with light skin and dark hair. This is so because the melanin (pigment) in the hair is targeted by the laser beam. Recent advancement in medical technology has made it possible for people with darker skin to opt for laser hair removal.

Things to look out for when choosing the clinic for laser hair removal

  1. Check for the number of years it has been providing this treatment
  2. Be aware of the experience and medical degree of the medical practitioner who will provide you the treatment
  3. The type of laser being used for your treatment
  4. If the laser is equipped to safely provide results to your skin type
  5. Discuss the risks and side-effects of the laser with your doctor

Make sure the doctor is present to supervise the procedure if it is being done by his assistant. Be wary of salons and spas which offer this treatment as many have non-medical technicians who carry out the procedure.

Dos and don’ts before the laser hair removal sessions

You need to start preparing six weeks prior to your treatment. Laser hair removal is a medical procedure that carries potential risks so you need to be careful.

Avoid waxing and plucking before your treatment as they remove the hair roots temporarily and the lasers mainly target the roots to inhibit hair growth.

Avoid sun exposure as it tans the skin and minimizes the effect of laser hair removal. It also increases the chances of complications after the treatment.

Shaving is not an issue as it preserves the follicles and hair shaft. Moreover, the hair above the skin is not targeted by the laser as it may cause burns.

What’s in store during Laser Hair Removal?

Just prior to the procedure, your hair from the area being treated will be trimmed to a couple of millimeters over the skin surface. According to the thickness, color and location of your hair and your skin color the laser will be adjusted.

During the laser treatment, you will be required to wear protective eyewear. Likewise, it is important to protect your skin with a cool gel or some cooling device. This will enable the laser light to enter the skin.

After that, the specialist will give a pulse of light to the treatment area and observe the region for a few minutes to ensure the best settings were used and to check for any negative reaction.

On completion of the procedure, you might be given ice packs, anti-inflammatory lotions or creams, or ice water to relieve any discomfort. You may plan your next treatment four to six weeks later or when the doctor recommends. You will need several sessions until the hair stops growing.

Post the treatment, the area will look and feel like it is sunburned. There might be some swelling or redness also. Applying moisturizers and cold packs may help. You can wear makeup the next day if you had treatment on your face except when there are blisters on the skin.

Avoid going out in the sun after laser hair removal and don’t forget to use sunscreen if you go out during the daytime.

The side-effects of laser hair removal

Laser hair removal is mostly a safe, risk-free procedure, but in some cases, there might be some side-effects such as:

  1. There might be skin burns as a lot of heat is involved especially for dark skin patients. In most cases the burns are mild but severe burns cannot be ruled out.
  2. It may cause hypopigmentation or hyperpigmentation.
  3. Itching during and after the treatment is common
  4. Laser treatment may cause crusting or bruises around the treated area which is temporary.

But on the whole, this is an apt treatment for people wanting freedom from unwanted hair and are tired of temporary solutions.

About The Author:

Arjun Moyade is a health blogger and content writer. He loves to write about health and fitness related topics.

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