Ought to You Get Laser Hair Elimination? Estheticians Weigh In

For individuals who select to take away their physique hair, it might probably typically appear to be there’s no such factor as an ideal possibility. Shaving can result in bumpy, irritated pores and skin (razor burn, anybody?), to not point out it’s time-consuming. Waxing is extra environment friendly, however requires a certain quantity of hair re-growth and, for some folks, can result in pesky ingrown hairs that depart discoloration behind.

For individuals who wrestle with each these choices, laser hair removing can supply an answer. Whereas it’s not with out its personal drawbacks, it might probably get rid of most of the points related to conventional hair removing and provides folks the outcomes they’re in search of. On this put up, I’ll reply all of your urgent questions on laser hair removing with the assistance of Madalaina Conti, a New York-based, licensed esthetician specializing in laser hair removing, inflammatory pores and skin circumstances, and built-in wellness. I’ll additionally share my very own expertise with laser hair removing—let’s dive in!

How Does Laser Hair Elimination Work?

Based on Madalaina, there are a number of several types of lasers for hair removing. The commonest are Alexandrite and Nd:YAG. 

Alexandrite lasers mainly work by choosing up the distinction between the pigment within the hair versus the pores and skin, that means they work greatest on folks with honest pores and skin and darkish hair (gentle brown to black). For a similar motive, Alexandrite lasers aren’t appropriate for darker pores and skin tones (this may be Fitzpatrick skin types 4-6).

Nd:YAG lasers, then again, work by passing gentle power instantly below the follicle. The sunshine power turns into warmth, which weakens the follicle and causes the hair shaft to detach and shed. Over time, the absence or weakening of the follicle reduces hair progress. Since Nd:YAG lasers don’t depend on distinction, they’re a terrific possibility for these with darker pores and skin tones.

(Enjoyable Truth: Dr. Fitzpatrick created his eponymous scale to assist dermatologists gauge a affected person’s threat for pores and skin most cancers, however he was additionally the one to get Tretinoin FDA-approved for wrinkles and anti-aging. Once I first began my profession, I used to be fortunate sufficient to meet him and witness this course of firsthand!)

Does Laser Hair Elimination Work on Blonde Hair?

In case your hair is white, gray, or very gentle blonde, laser hair removing might not be a great possibility for you. Each Alexandrite and Nd:YAG lasers are finally interested in the pigment within the hair, and that is how the power supply will get directed. If there’s little to no pigment within the hair, the lasers may have a a lot more durable time focusing on it efficiently. 

There have been developments that make it simpler to focus on blonde or gentle hair. One is laser dyeing, which entails artificially dyeing the hair to “trick” the laser. One other is lengthy pulse lasers, which can be safer for these with blonde hair. Even with these choices, remember the fact that laser hair removing usually isn’t as efficient for gentle hair as it’s for darker hair. Be sure you seek the advice of together with your supplier earlier than committing, and ensure they’re being upfront about affordable expectations.

How Many Periods of Laser Hair Elimination Are Wanted?

“In my expertise,” says Madalaina, “this may fluctuate fairly drastically relying on the system and the shopper. Extra basic machines often require eight or extra periods, and I discover machines like mine that use a mix require round six for greatest outcomes.” She added that the therapies are often spaced 4 to 6 weeks aside for the face, underarms, or bikini, whereas the remainder of the physique usually requires six to eight weeks of downtime in between. That is to make sure that the realm being focused is on the proper stage of hair progress. In any other case, therapies aren’t as efficient.

Are Contact-Ups Required?

Madalaina notes that touch-ups will depend upon the shopper’s hair sort in addition to the system used. It’s additionally a matter of choice and relies on how fastidious somebody needs to be. Madalaina says most shoppers solely require one or two touchups per yr, however some want to return in additional usually. “The wonderful thing about shaving versus waxing is that you would be able to shave in between and it gained’t mess up the hair progress cycle,” she says. “This implies you possibly can keep clean between appointments and don’t should undergo the awkward progress stage required with waxing.” 

Does Laser Take away ALL Hair? What Are Reasonable Expectations?

The brief reply is not any. I actually first tried laser hair removing in 2005, and I distinctly keep in mind being informed, “You’ll be able to throw away your razor, you’ll by no means should shave once more.” This was undoubtedly an over-exaggeration, however as of late, practitioners are much more upfront about setting real looking expectations. I attempted it once more three years in the past, and I’d say it completely eliminated about 90% of my hair (which is fairly nice!). Now, it’s typically known as laser hair discount as an alternative.

Whereas laser hair removing doesn’t take away 100% of hair, it may be life-changing. It considerably reduces hair progress (that means a lot of the hair gained’t develop again in any respect), and the hair that does stay is thinner and really sparse. This makes it much more manageable and signifies that shaving is less complicated and far much less frequent. One other bonus? Apart from just about stopping ingrown hairs of their tracks, laser hair removing fades previous discoloration brought on by ingrowns and irritation. The result’s a lot smoother, brighter pores and skin total, even after only one session. 

Based on Madalaina, the one solution to completely take away all hair is thru electrolysis, which she notes is a painful and tedious course of.  

What’s the Finest Time of Yr to Get Laser Hair Elimination?

The most effective time of yr for laser hair removing is fall or winter. I at all times inform my shoppers that that is the perfect time of yr for skilled therapies basically, and the reason being that you simply’re much less prone to get solar publicity. Many therapies make the pores and skin quickly extra photosensitive, and laser hair removing is not any exception. The advice is often that you simply keep away from any solar publicity on handled areas two weeks earlier than AND after your appointment. 

Study why winter is the perfect time of yr to eliminate brown spots (and find out how to do it).

What Are Prep and Aftercare for Laser Hair Elimination Like?

Earlier than Your Appointment

As I discussed, stopping solar publicity to the areas you’re getting handled is important each two weeks earlier than and after your appointment. You’ll additionally wish to test together with your supplier about discontinuing energetic merchandise like exfoliating acids and retinol, and topical prescriptions like tretinoin or hydroquinone (Madalaina says this may fluctuate relying on the system). Should you’re utilizing Accutane for zits, you’ll wish to wait no less than a month after your final dose to get laser hair removing. Once more, be sure you test together with your supplier for particular directions.

Madalaina provides that you simply’ll wish to shave the areas which are going to be handled the night time earlier than your appointment. “This ensures the simplest therapy since we wish the sunshine power to have quick access to the follicle as an alternative of getting to waste power on floor hair progress (which may additionally burn),” she says. “I discover shaving the night time earlier than to be the candy spot as a result of the shave continues to be contemporary, however the pores and skin’s had a while to recuperate. Shaving too near your appointment time can typically end in further sensitivity or irritation on the pores and skin.”

After Your Appointment

After your therapy, Madalaina says it’s greatest to keep away from any heavy sweating or moisture for about 24 hours. “Skip the extraordinary exercise, swim, or sauna to keep away from irritation,” she says. Should you’re experiencing some discomfort, a short, cool bathe can be utilized to assuage post-treatment.

With regards to laser hair removing aftercare, an important factor is hydration. I at all times suggest that shoppers use one thing mild with out perfume or drying alcohol. It’s additionally greatest to make use of one thing you’ve tried earlier than and know you gained’t react badly to. Bear in mind, pores and skin is tremendous uncooked after being uncovered to the warmth of a laser, so it must be babied. You need to use a thick cream like Phytolipid Comfort Creme, which has calming plant extracts in addition to moisturizing lipids to assist restore the pores and skin barrier. Alternatively, you should utilize an oil like Pro Remedy Oil, which has a mix of 12 oils wealthy in omegas and antioxidants. 

Focus solely on hydration for the primary three to 4 days. After this, you possibly can add shaving or exfoliating to your routine to assist slough off lifeless pores and skin cells and permit hairs which are detaching to shed via the floor. I discover bodily scrubs actually efficient for this, however ensure you use a scrub with rounded particles to forestall any tearing or scratching of the pores and skin. 

The right way to Discover the Proper Supplier for Your Remedy

Earlier than reserving a therapy, ebook a session. The machines used for laser hair removing are highly effective, and used incorrectly (or on the unsuitable individual) they’ll trigger harm. It’s essential to seek out somebody expert who takes the time to reply all of your questions.

“I’d suggest wanting into the kind of laser that greatest describes your pores and skin and hair sort after which performing some analysis on the laser your potential supplier carries,” says Madalaina. “I at all times discover phrase of mouth to be probably the most dependable, so for those who can, ask these round you to gauge trustworthy experiences! I additionally have a tendency to love smaller, extra specialised studios vs. bigger chains. Lasers are highly effective, consideration to element is every part, and it is best to really feel that you’re getting a customized expertise. Good suppliers will at all times exit of their solution to achieve in-depth data of your routine and objectives to maximise your expertise. They’ll stroll you thru expectations, guarantee you’re snug and will probably be completely happy to reply your whole questions! Having a specialised laser or superior certification is at all times a plus.” 

My Expertise With (and Sincere Assessment of) Laser Hair Elimination

I obtained laser hair removing on my underarms and bikini space three years in the past, and at that time, I’d been waxing them for 25 years! What I at all times hated about waxing (apart from the ache) was the truth that I needed to let every part develop out for a number of weeks between waxes. This meant I had about one week of clean pores and skin, after which I used to be caught with stubble for one more three or so. There can undoubtedly be some awkward hair progress between the primary few therapies of laser hair removing, however as Madalaina identified, you possibly can shave. Finally, that awkward re-growth stops virtually altogether. 

I had ten therapies in complete and, as I discussed, it eliminated about 90% of my hair. I’ve a mixture of blonde and darkish hair within the areas that have been handled, so the blonde didn’t actually get picked up by the laser. Nonetheless, this hair is so skinny and lightweight now that I don’t even go for touch-ups, and I barely even should shave anymore.

I do wish to say that outcomes can nonetheless fluctuate enormously person-to-person. There’s an opportunity I had a leg up since a few of my follicles have been already shot from so a few years of waxing, plus I used to be 50, and hair progress naturally slows down with age. That mentioned, I’m actually proud of the outcomes and undoubtedly want it to the waxing I used to be doing all these years. I’m ready to consider it rather a lot much less, and it’s another factor I don’t have to fret about!

Subsequent up, for those who get common waxes, learn my fail-proof information to stopping ingrown hairs.

Superstar Esthetician & Skincare Skilled
As an esthetician educated in beauty chemistry, Renée Rouleau has spent 30 years researching pores and skin, educating her viewers, and constructing an award-winning line of merchandise. Her hands-on expertise as an esthetician and trusted skincare skilled has created a real-world resolution — merchandise which are formulated for nine different types of skin so your face will get precisely what it must appear and feel its greatest. Trusted by celebrities, editors, bloggers, and skincare obsessives across the globe, her huge real-world data and fixed analysis are why Marie Claire calls her “probably the most passionate pores and skin practitioner we all know.”