Laser Hair Removal Information – Brought To You By Permanent Hair Removal Experts in Los Angeles
Laser Hair
Removal
Looking for laser hair removal in Los Angeles? You are not alone. Laser hair removal is one of the most commonly done cosmetic procedures in the U.S. Nearly 1 million laser hair removal treatments were performed in the U.S. last year, according to the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS). However, new statistics prove that the procedure is becoming even more popular, especially among women. The global laser hair removal market size was valued at USD 443.84 million in 2020 and is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 20.6% from 2021 to 2028. At The Vertical Wellness Spa, we specialize in permanent hair removal, and would like to educate you about laser hair removal and why we choose to offer electrolysis in Los Angeles instead.
What is Laser Hair Removal?
So, what exactly is laser hair removal? Laser therapy uses high-heat laser beams as a mild form of radiation. During the process, these laser beams heat up and damage your hair follicles.
Your hair follicles are located just below the skin. They’re responsible for producing new strands of hair. If the follicles are destroyed, then hair production is temporarily disabled.
By contrast, tweezing, shaving, and waxing all remove hair above the surface. These methods don’t target hair-producing follicles. The lasers target hair melanin (color), and as such, it works best on individuals with light skin and dark hair. Even if some hairs aren’t removed, the lightening of their color can reduce the appearance of hair on the skin.
While your hair type and thickness will dictate the number of treatments you’ll need, your provider may recommend anywhere between six and eight. After each treatment you receive, you can expect a 15% to 30% reduction in hair.
According to the Mayo Clinic, laser hair removal can be done anywhere on the body, with the exception of the eye area.
How to Prepare for Laser Hair Removal
If you decide to try laser hair removal, always consult the doctor or technician performing the procedure for specific pre-care and after-care instructions. Here, we share general information to help you prepare for your laser hair removal session. Laser hair removal is more than just ”zapping” unwanted hair. It is a medical procedure that requires training to perform and carries potential risks. Before getting laser hair removal, you should thoroughly check the credentials of the doctor or technician performing the procedure.
If you are planning on undergoing laser hair removal, you should limit plucking, waxing, and electrolysis for six weeks before treatment. The reason is that the laser targets the hairs’ roots, which are temporarily removed by waxing or plucking.
You should also avoid sun exposure for six weeks before and after treatment. Sun exposure makes laser hair removal less effective and makes complications after treatment more likely. Anyone who has tanned, used a spray tan or gone to a tanning booth should wait until the tan has faded as the pigment in the skin absorbs the laser light and reduces the effectiveness of the treatment.
Before your laser hair removal treatment, protective eye shields will be placed over your eyes to prevent injury to your corneas or retinas. The hair that will be undergoing treatment will be trimmed to a few millimeters above the skin surface. To protect the outer layers of your skin, a cold gel or a special cooling device will be used. This will also make the treatment more effective by facilitating laser light penetration through the skin.
Who Can Get Laser Hair Removal?
Laser hair removal is generally safe for men and women of all ages. However, you cannot be a candidate for laser if:
You are pregnant: Although laser hair removal is generally considered a safe procedure, doctors and dermatologists usually advise women to avoid the procedure because no studies have been done to prove that it’s safe for mothers and babies.
You have a tattoo in the area where you would like to removal hair: Laser hair removal should not be done over a tattoo. While the laser will effectively remove the hair over a tattoo, they will also cause some unwanted and painful side effects. Lasers can reduce up to 75% of the color in tattoos and cause the lines to blur. This is especially true to black and grey tattoos.
You have blond hair: Most laser technology associated with hair removal relies on a contrast between the skin tone and pigment in the hair to affect an area. When there is an insufficient contrast, such as with fair hair and light skin, burns and other side effects can occur.
You have dark skin and dark hair: similarly to blond hair of light skin, if you have dark hair and dark skin, the laser technology will likely not work, due to the lack of contrast between the skin color and hair color.
Is Laser Hair Removal Permanent?
In short, no. Although the procedure is often promoted as a form of “permanent” hair removal, laser treatment only reduces the number of unwanted hairs in a given area.
Laser hair removal works by heating the hair follicles to stop new hairs from growing. This puts the hair follicles in a state of dormancy for a long period of time — much longer than with shaving and waxing. When the hairs do grow back, they’ll be lighter, finer, and fewer in number.
According to the Mayo Clinic, laser hair removal tends to work best in people with light skin tones and darker hair. Also, for best results, the American Association of Dermatology (AAD) recommends that a board-certified dermatologist ought to perform the procedure.
Laser Hair Removal Alternatives
If you want to get rid of unwanted hair, you have a few alternatives to laser hair removal:
Professional Tweezing and Waxing: An option for smaller areas of your body is professional tweezing and waxing done by a certified aesthetician. Waxing is the application of a sticky substance to the skin. The resin binds hair to a strip of cloth, which is quickly pulled off. The hair is removed from the roots and will eventually grow back Waxing works on all body areas, from the legs to the bikini to the face. When hair is removed this way, it’s pulled directly out of the root. Depending on how fast your hair grows, results may last from two to eight weeks.
Threading: Hair threading is an ancient method of hair removal that originated in Southeastern Asia and is still popular today, particularly for eyebrow. Since nothing but the thread touches the skin and every thread is thrown away after use, it is considered very sanitary. The process involves removing hair from the follicle, and the results can last for up to four weeks.
Sugaring: Similar to waxing, sugaring removes body hair by quickly pulling the hair from the root. The name for this method comes from the paste itself, which consists of lemon, water, and sugar. The ingredients are all heated together until it reaches a candy-like consistency. Once it cools it is applied directly to the skin.
Chemical depilation: This treatment consists of an over-the-counter gel or cream that you put on your skin. It works by weakening a protein in your hair called keratin. This causes the hair to fall out and be easily wiped away. This procedure can be done at home.
Prescription creams: a doctor can prescribe a prescription cream for hair removal. The most popular prescription cream is eflornithine (Vaniqa), which you apply twice a day for one month. It works by inhibiting the production of enzymes that stimulate hair growth. Importantly, Vaniqa is used to slow down the growth of unwanted hair on the face and under the chin in women, and should not be used on hair on any other body parts.
Electrolysis is the only FDA approved permanent hair removal method. Electrolysis works on all skin tones and hair colors. Electrolysis is highly effective on all body parts, including eyebrows. The electrolysis permanent hair removal process works by inserting an epilator device into the skin. It uses shortwave radio frequencies in hair follicles to stop new hair from growing. This damages your hair follicles to prevent growth and causes existing hairs to fall out.
If you have pursued laser therapy in the past and are dissatisfied with the results, you may want to switch to electrolysis. Many of our clients come to our electrolysis Los Angeles studio after trying laser hair removal, only to see the hair grow back. At The Vertical Wellness Spa, the new home of Electrolysis by Alison, we are happy to accept new clients. However, we want to make sure that you get the best possible experience. It may be necessary to consult with a dermatologist before beginning your electrolysis treatment. A skin specialist can ascertain whether your skin is ready for electrolysis treatment after the effects of laser treatment. Especially when considering the skin on your face, it is always better to be cautious. When your skin is ready, we will be happy to help you achieve permanent hair removal on your face.