From this article you will learn:
- What is laser hair removal
- Stages and number of laser hair removal sessions
- Contraindications for laser hair removal
- Possible negative consequences of laser hair removal
- Myths about the health consequences of laser hair removal
- Skin care before and after laser hair removal, as well as during procedures
What are the consequences of laser hair removal is not an idle question. This method of removing excess hair has become increasingly popular lately, because it is an excellent opportunity to “make yourself beautiful” without any problems and get rid of the daily routine. But isn't this dangerous? And will the result meet expectations?
No, it's not dangerous. Yes, it will. But only if you first study all the contraindications to the procedure, become familiar with the existing risks and protect yourself as much as possible from possible negative consequences.
What is laser hair removal
This method was first discovered in the late 1970s. During one of the experiments, a certain physicist accidentally exposed his hand to the laser light for a few seconds and noticed that the hair in the illuminated area had disappeared. The incident had no consequences for the researcher’s health and was soon forgotten, but several months later the hair on the affected skin had not recovered. After numerous repetitions of the experiment, the method received FDA approval, and it entered cosmetic practice as laser hair removal.
The essence of the procedure is to destroy the hair follicle, as a result of which it simply stops growing in the treated area. Since a person also has dormant hair follicles, laser hair removal must be repeated. The first procedure will get rid of (again, depending on the location) 15–40% of hair on the face, legs, arms, bikini area and armpits. Using laser treatment, you can remove not only unwanted body hair, but also age spots, freckles, wrinkles, acne, and spider veins.
The procedure is performed with a special device, which is characterized by the possibility of flexible settings for each patient in accordance with his phototype, thickness and direction of hair growth, as well as skin sensitivity and its condition.
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Modern devices are equipped with intelligent systems for cooling the impact surface, so that at the moment the pulse is applied, the epidermis is well protected from burns.
How to reduce pain from the procedure
To ensure that even the most sensitive clients feel comfortable during hair removal, we use special cooling attachments: they reduce the level of skin heating, so that the procedure takes place without discomfort.
Additional protection is provided by a special contact gel.
While getting rid of unwanted vegetation, the specialist constantly works in contact with the client: asks about the sensations, tells how long the procedure will last. We use modern installations that work over a large area and very quickly - so the discomfort is minimal.
Stages and number of laser hair removal sessions
This method includes several stages: preparatory, the hair removal procedure itself and the subsequent period of skin care.
At the first stage, in order not to damage the outer skin, the specialist treats it with anesthetic compounds.
Both the patient and the master who works with the laser wear protective glasses during the session - they cannot be removed until the end of the procedure. Its duration varies in different treated areas and is adjusted in accordance with the individual characteristics of the patient’s body. On average, a session lasts from 3 to 60 minutes.
After the procedure, a restorative soothing agent is applied to the irradiated part of the body.
There is a possibility that inflammation will remain on the skin. If it is not sensitive, then slight redness persists for about a day. If there are problems with sensitivity, inflammation may last longer. Crust formation is also possible. In order not to aggravate the consequences, cosmetologists recommend applying sprays, ointments or cream to it until it dries out.
The final result depends on the phototype of the dermis. Before starting the procedure, a test is performed on a small area of skin to determine sensitivity to the laser. If the patient has a high pain sensitivity threshold, he is offered an anesthetic cream.
The hair removal session is carried out on clean and dry skin. There may be a tingling sensation that causes mild discomfort, but not pain.
In between several sessions, it is prohibited to use other hair removal methods. Otherwise, you can injure the hair follicles and provoke their increased growth. Subsequent laser therapy procedures are carried out as the hair growth increases, which was in the initial stage of growth.
Experts recommend extending the rest interval after each session by 1 week. It also matters where laser therapy was performed.
The number of sessions depends on the skin type, hair color and structure, and the area of the body being treated. For the face you need from 3 to 8 procedures. The armpits and bikini area require laser treatment 5 to 9 times. There must be a certain time interval between procedures. Cosmetologists insist on increasing the interval by two weeks after each.
If the patient has hormonal disorders, even a full course of laser hair removal does not guarantee that unwanted hair will disappear completely. Hair growth may resume. In this case, experts recommend examination in medical institutions for the presence of endocrine diseases.
How painful is the procedure?
Laser hair removal is almost 100% painless. It causes much less discomfort than, for example, electrolysis, waxing or the well-known sugaring. Unlike mechanical hair removal based on hair plucking, there is no irritation on the skin.
Discomfort may occur in women and men with increased sensitivity to pain. However, there are ways to cope with unpleasant sensations and make the procedure as comfortable as possible.
An important fact: at Cleo Line we use modern laser systems with a high degree of power, so very little time is spent on processing one zone. Even if you are highly sensitive and are worried before the procedure, do not worry - the treatment of your hands or feet, as well as the most delicate areas, will go quickly!
Contraindications for laser hair removal
It must be taken into account that in certain cases laser hair removal has contraindications and undesirable consequences. It is not recommended to do this:
- During pregnancy and lactation. Although there is currently no scientific evidence that the consequences of laser hair removal during pregnancy can be negative, doctors still do not recommend resorting to this method of hair removal.
A number of hormonal changes occur in the body of pregnant women, and what previously did not cause complications can turn into trouble during this period.
- In the presence of diseases. The consequences of laser hair removal can be negative in the following cases:
herpes in the acute stage;
- severe reactions to histamine;
- varicose veins at the treatment site;
- skin diseases in acute or chronic form (dermatosis, psoriasis, eczema, etc.);
- vitiligo;
- extensive purulent rashes;
- oncological diseases;
- diabetes;
- HIV.
Many women are interested in contraindications for laser hair removal in the bikini area, upper lip, armpits and the consequences if the prohibitions are not taken into account.
Laser hair removal should not be performed in case of any inflammatory or infectious processes on the skin in the armpit area. Also, there should be no moles, warts, or age spots in this area. Laser hair removal of the armpits can cause harm to people suffering from cancer, diabetes, and thyroid diseases.
Treatment in the bikini area also has its limitations. The procedure should not be performed if the patient has sexual disorders of an infectious nature, abnormalities in the functioning of the immune system, fungal diseases (such as thrush), during surgical procedures in the treated area (3 months before the procedure and after 3 months after them). The procedure is contraindicated during menstruation, taking potent hormonal drugs, and in patients under the age of 18 years.
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Laser depilation of the upper lip is not performed during pregnancy and breastfeeding, if there are scratches or wounds on the skin, or neoplasms of various types. Other contraindications are cardiac and vascular, as well as acute infectious and inflammatory diseases, allergic reactions, high blood sugar. If you neglect the risks, various kinds of complications cannot be ruled out.
Possible negative consequences of laser hair removal
Undesirable reactions of the body to laser are most often associated with the following reasons:
- The patient has contraindications.
- The client did not properly follow the rules for preparing the skin for laser exposure.
- The cosmetologist mistakenly diagnosed the patient's phototype.
- Incorrect device settings.
- Individual intolerance.
Burns
Possible consequences of laser hair removal of the upper lip are burns. Overheating of the skin is the most common cause of their appearance after a laser hair removal session. During the procedure, laser beams penetrate the skin to a depth of only 1–4 mm. The affected area heats up for a few fractions of a second. However, there are a number of circumstances that can prevent rapid natural cooling of the skin:
- hair length is higher than required;
- carrying out the procedure after sunbathing;
- inappropriate radiation readings;
- unsatisfactory treatment of the skin with refrigerant.
Black dots
This is nothing more than burnt hairs. Their appearance indicates the effectiveness of the procedure. Blackheads disappear gradually within 2 weeks after hair removal. They appear in clients with hard stubble or excessive hair growth. In these cases, the hair is more resistant to external influences. To remove black specks, you can carry out another procedure or make a mask based on badyagi.
Pimples
The appearance of acne is due to the following reasons:
- Ingrown hairs are a classic consequence of many hair removal methods.
- Infection of the hair follicle - it is almost impossible to introduce a virus or harmful bacteria with the laser method. However, this happens if there are wounds and cuts on the skin.
A likely cause of acne and rashes may also be a hormonal imbalance in the patient's body.
Itching and irritation
There may be a slight feeling of discomfort during and immediately after the procedure. But if the itching does not go away within 2-3 days and red spots appear, the person may have a negative reaction to light exposure. In this situation, you should avoid aggressive cleansers and scrubs and use pharmaceutical shower gels without parabens and dyes. These side effects are the most common consequences of laser hair removal in the bikini area. The good news is that they disappear on their own within two or three days.
Pigmentation
Pigment spots form when the client is not thoroughly examined or due to incorrect laser adjustment.
Bruises
Subcutaneous bruises that do not cause pain when pressed indicate that hair removal was performed on tanned skin. There is no need to treat such bruises; you need to wait until they lighten naturally.
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Folliculitis
Folliculitis is a possible consequence of laser hair removal of a deep bikini. This is nothing more than inflammation of the hair follicles. It can develop in patients suffering from excessive sweating, or when the ban on moisturizing the skin after a session is violated. How to avoid this? Keep treated areas clean. Refrain from visiting the gym and swimming pool for two days.
Side effects
The key to a procedure without complications and consequences is compliance with the specialist’s recommendations, high-quality equipment and the experience of the staff. Cleo Line employs qualified doctors and cosmetology nurses. We use the latest generation lasers to make patients as comfortable as possible.
Possible side effects include:
- Edema - they often occur due to the individual reaction of the body. A few hours after the procedure, they disappear without a trace.
- Burns are likely if the patient does not follow skin care rules after the procedure. Have you noticed severe redness that does not go away after 4-5 hours, or a burn? Be sure to consult a specialist, do not treat it yourself!
- Pigmentation - appears if you neglect Sanskrin or sunbathe after hair removal. Most likely, in 2-3 months the unwanted pigmentation will disappear without a trace.
- Folliculitis is a very rare effect that occurs due to visiting a swimming pool or sauna immediately after laser hair removal. It is a small red spot or nodule around the hair that becomes inflamed. Treating folliculitis is simple: just treat the damaged area with an antiseptic.
Myths about the health consequences of laser hair removal
Some stereotypes regarding laser hair removal have arisen due to the fact that in the past the equipment used had a number of disadvantages. As devices are modernized, they become safer, which expands their capabilities and reduces the risk of negative consequences.
Myth 1: Laser work can cause cancer
The consequence of laser hair removal is cancer. This is the most popular myth. From the point of view of the risk of developing cancer, the most dangerous is high-frequency ionizing radiation - X-rays and gamma rays. Laser radiation used in hair removal procedures is non-ionizing.
Myth 2: After the procedure, scars will remain and hair will begin to grow in
Scarring occurs during electrolysis, when needles are used that damage the surface of the skin and are inserted into the upper layer of the dermis.
Laser hair removal does not violate the integrity of the skin, so scarring is simply impossible.
And ingrown hairs are a consequence of unprofessional waxing. When a thinning hair does not have the strength to break through the skin, it simply grows under it. The laser is precisely aimed at eliminating such manifestations.
Myth 3: After the procedure, a large amount of coarse hair will appear.
After each treatment, the hair grows back finer, there is less of it and it appears more and more slowly. The paradoxical effect can be observed only once - after the second session. This is called synchronization and indicates the effectiveness of the procedure. In the third session, all this vegetation is removed, and after that the hair grows slowly, becoming softer.
Myth 4: Laser hair removal is a rather painful procedure
The cause of pain during procedures is the effect on the nerve fibers that are located in the skin. Each person has these fibers configured differently, so we all experience pain differently. Cosmetologists note that the sensations during the procedure are comparable to a click on the skin and are usually tolerated normally. In addition, at the client’s request, the cosmetologist, of course, can apply an anesthetic cream.
Myth 5: Laser hair removal cannot be done in the summer
The time of year cannot be an obstacle to removing excess hair on the body. Moreover, this is especially important in the summer. In fact, procedures can be planned during the holiday season, the main thing is to know some of the nuances.
If you need to treat areas hidden under clothing, for example, the bikini area, there are no problems here. The procedure can be performed at any time. Laser hair removal should not be performed on tanned or dark skin. This will cause burns.
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Read more And one more myth – rather one of the false positives. No additional care is needed after the procedure. This is wrong. The skin has experienced serious stress during laser hair removal and needs additional protection.
Skin care before and after laser hair removal, as well as during procedures
Although laser hair removal is a gentle and safe method of hair removal, after it the skin should receive the necessary care:
- For 6 weeks before and after, it is important to avoid sunbathing and tanning in a solarium.
- Preparation for laser hair removal also includes avoiding taking medications that have a reflective effect and blood thinning medications.
- For 6 weeks before the procedure, you cannot resort to other types of hair removal: sugaring, waxing, use an epilator or tweezers, as they remove hair from the root. Otherwise, the laser will not be able to recognize the hair follicle.
- For three days after epilation, massage and rubbing should not be done in the area where hair was removed. You should also avoid taking hot baths and visiting the sauna. This slows down recovery, and high temperatures have a negative effect on irritated skin.
- 3 days before hair removal, you should not use cosmetics that contain irritants, such as alcohol.
- During the period of laser hair removal, you cannot visit a solarium or use self-tanning cosmetics.
So, the procedure should be approached more responsibly by both cosmetologists and patients. And then laser hair removal, the consequences of which will be insignificant, will delight you with its high efficiency and will make you want to leave only the best reviews.
Nowadays, you no longer have to spend a lot of time performing complex and unpleasant procedures at home. It is much easier to seek help from real professionals - the Veronika Herba beauty and health center, equipped with effective and modern equipment.
Why clients choose Veronika Herba Beauty and Health Center:
- This is a beauty center where you can get laser hair removal at a reasonable cost, and you will be treated not by an ordinary cosmetologist, but by one of the best specialists in Moscow. This is a completely different, higher level of service!
- You can receive qualified help at any time convenient for you. The beauty center is open from 9:00 to 21:00, seven days a week. The main thing is to agree with your doctor in advance on the date and time of your appointment.
Sign up for a consultation with a specialist by phone +7 (495) 085-15-13, and you will see for yourself!
