The health and beauty industry is a rapidly growing and extremely popular sector to work in. Grooming and controlling bodily hair has been a particular focus for years, with laser hair removal being one of the most effective means to do so. Since the 1960s laser hair removal has developed rapidly. The market has grown, and the customer base has followed, making laser hair removal one of the most widely available treatments in the beauty industry.
Despite the extremely advanced technology used in laser hair removal, there are still some myths surrounding this type of treatment. So today we are here to dispel some of these myths and tell you the truth about laser hair removal.
Is it Painful?
Though the pain experienced during laser hair removal treatment varies from patient to patient and depends on the pain tolerance of the patient, laser hair removal remains one of the least painful long-term hair removal options available. For those who have used waxing techniques, laser hair removal will remain a relatively pain-free experience.
Laser Hair removal treatment relies on heating the hair follicles beneath the skin, this can create a hot sensation around the area being treated. More modern devices have built-in cooling systems which simultaneously cool the skin while it is being treated. The Alma Soprano Titanium uses ICE PLUS cooling to provide an almost completely pain-free treatment experience.
Factors that can affect the levels of pain experienced by the patient can include the level of health or skin sensitivity, medications, and their menstrual cycle. They may also find more sensitive areas such as the bikini line or face can be slightly more uncomfortable. When treating these areas, a different handpiece can be used, such as a facial tip, and extra cooling can be used to soothe the skin.
Does Hair Removal Work on Darker Skin?
In The past, it has been the case that laser hair removal treatments have been slightly less effective on darker skin types. Some types of lasers would struggle to treat darker skin as the energy from the laser would be absorbed by the pigment of the skin rather than the hair follicles.
More advanced technology found in modern laser hair removal devices has allowed them the capability of completing laser hair removal on darker skin tones. The Nd: YAG laser is usually used, as this provides the most effective form of laser hair removal on this type of skin. The Nd: YAG laser penetrates deeper into the skin and bypasses the melanin in the skin to provide safe and effective treatment.
For fairer skin types other lasers will be used such as a diode Alexandrite laser. Modern lasers like the Candela GentleMax Pro have the capacity for multiple laser use to enable the practitioner to treat almost every skin type.
Do Patients Require Years of Treatment?
Laser hair removal treatment can provide 80-90% hair reduction taking an average of 8 to 12 treatments to do this. These treatments would take place every 4 to 8 weeks depending on which part of the body was being treated and how many treatments the patient has had in the past.
However, laser hair removal treatment can provide noticeable results even after the first treatment session. The higher the number of treatments a patient has the more permanent the hair reduction will become. Laser hair removal has the capability of providing some of the most permanent hair reduction available, making it a cost-effective and efficient option for customers.
Hair with Grow Quicker & More Dense After Treatment
It has long been thought after shaving hair can appear thicker and denser, though this is not entirely true, shaving alone will never provide a permanent reduction in hair growth. Laser hair removal, however, will provide a noticeable reduction in hair growth after each treatment. This can be as much as 10-20% further reduction per treatment undertaken. The patient will also notice the thickness and density of the hair that does grow will be reduced and therefore appear less noticeable on the body.
Laser hair removal treatment is a fantastic option for someone who is looking to thin their bodily hair, with results that last.
Laser Hair Removal Isn’t Safe
The advanced technology used in laser hair removal allows the device to target hair follicles specifically. This means the skin surrounding the hair follicles is left undamaged. Not only does this provide a very effective form of hair removal, but it also makes the procedure extremely safe. Technology research to further the safety of a laser hair removal device, such as the built-in cooling technologies, means the skin is left smooth and undamaged after treatment. It is normal for there to be slight redness to the surface of the skin but this should fade quickly. Correct training gives laser practitioners the knowledge they need to provide patients with laser hair removal treatment confidently, and most importantly, safely.
