Pros And Cons Of Laser Hair Removal
Thanks to the speed and convenience of laser hair removal, more people are switching to the long-term hair removal technique. Statistics by the American Academy for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery indicate that over a million people got laser hair removal in 2016. Since then, the procedure’s popularity has skyrocketed, and the market is expected to show impressive growth by the year 2032
Because of its efficiency in delivering results, people are investing in laser hair removal for long-term results. But before you book your first appointment, it’s worth knowing about the different pros and cons of this hair removal method. Don’t worry, though, as we’ll walk you through the different pros and cons of the process, factors to consider before you start, and how much it’s expected to cost.
What Is Laser Hair Removal?
Commonly known as a form of permanent or long-term hair removal, laser hair removal uses high-pulse laser light to disrupt the hair follicle. Over the course of multiple treatments, laser hair removal prevents future hair growth. In contrast, shaving only removes the tip of the hair follicle visible above the surface, while waxing removes the hair from the root. Either way, the hair can grow back.
How Does It Work?
Your skin and hair contain melanin, and during laser hair removal, the laser works by targeting the melanin in your skin. It releases a high-pulse light that’s absorbed by the melanin, and this light is converted to heat, which damages the follicle responsible for producing your hair.
Of course, it takes more than one session to disrupt the hair follicles in a target area, so you can’t expect permanent results after one appointment. You’ll need to take a course of multiple sessions, after which maintenance treatments may be required as well.
Pros of Laser Hair Removal
Let’s take a look at some of the pros of laser hair removal and why you should consider it to get smooth, hair-free skin in the long term.
Long-Term Hair Removal
Though the results of laser hair removal aren’t permanent, most people experience hair removal lasting several months. Rest assured that you can expect to stay hair-free for a couple of months, and even when hair does grow back, it’ll be finer, thinner, and with less volume. This can be removed through annual maintenance sessions, which help you maintain smooth, hair-free skin.
Greater Precision
Have you ever waxed or shaved, only to find out later that you missed a spot? Even if you find out in time, you may need to wax or shave the area again, which can irritate your skin, too. Fortunately, laser hair removal by a trained professional is much more precise.
It only removes the hair and doesn’t affect your skin while removing all your unwanted hair. The laser is also much more accurate when targeting unwanted hair. It selectively targets dark and coarse hair, leaving the surrounding skin unaffected.
Reduces Ingrown Hairs
Ingrown hairs occur when hair that’s been removed grows back but curves into the skin instead of going outwards. These can cause small, swollen bumps that hurt but typically heal on their own. Other methods of hair removal, such as shaving or waxing, could contribute to ingrown hairs.
Laser hair removal, in contrast, is an excellent way of stopping ingrown hair for good. It does this by going to the root cause – disrupting the hair follicle. This way, it keeps hair from growing back and irritating the skin.
Doesn’t Affect Skin Texture
Unlike other types of hair removal, such as shaving and waxing, laser hair removal doesn’t impact your skin texture. Not only does it prevent ingrown hairs, which can contribute to bumps in the skin, but laser therapy doesn’t affect collagen, the protein responsible for skin elasticity. Because of this, laser hair removal doesn’t cause skin aging. Although you may experience some crusting in the treatment area, this subsides after a while.
Safer Than Other Methods
At first, the thought of using a laser to zap away unwanted hair may seem scary, but the reality couldn’t be farther from the truth. Laser hair removal is quite safe, and in many ways, it’s safer than other methods. Laser technology has gone through multiple rounds of testing, with developers perfecting the technology over many years.
Because it’s a medical procedure, any technician providing the service is trained and supervised by a certified dermatologist. Not to mention, it doesn’t cut into the skin, eliminating the risk of infections, cuts, or bleeding. And you don’t have to worry about allergic reactions because it doesn’t involve using chemicals.
Of course, reputable clinics always perform a patch test to see how your skin responds to the treatment before continuing with a complete session. So, as long as you go to a licensed professional, you don’t have to worry.
Hurts Less Than Waxing
For many people, pain and discomfort are major factors that influence how they remove unwanted hair. If you’ve ever tried traditional hair removal methods like waxing, you’ll know that it definitely hurts. In contrast, laser hair removal won’t cause as much discomfort.
Laser hair removal devices typically cause some mild discomfort during the first couple of sessions, after which you get used to it. Not to mention, laser technicians usually apply a cooling gel and numbing cream so you don’t feel as much discomfort.
Efficient Hair Removal
Because they use advanced technology, high-pulse lasers can effectively remove multiple hairs at a time. Not to mention, each pulse of laser light takes a fraction of a second. So, if you’re getting a smaller area treated, like your upper lip, laser hair removal can take as little as 5 minutes.
In contrast, no matter how many times you’ve shaved or waxed your legs, they can take some time to do. Whether you need to spend an extra 15 minutes in the shower or book an appointment with an esthetician, you’ll still be spending precious time. And when you’re in a rush, you could end up missing a spot, too.
Suitable For Different Areas
Laser hair removal is a safe and effective method for removing hair from just about any area. Because of its incredible precision and effectiveness, it can safely remove hair from the legs, underarms, bikini lines, upper lip, and other areas. This saves you the hassle of alternating between different hair removal methods for different areas.
Cons of Laser Hair Removal
Despite its numerous pros, there are a few cons associated with laser hair removal. Knowing these can help you make a more informed decision.
It’s Not Painless
For starters, you’ll want to remember that although it’s not painful, laser hair removal isn’t painless. During the first few sessions, you’ll definitely experience some degree of discomfort as the technician carefully zaps away unwanted hair. For most people, it feels like being snapped with a rubber band, but the discomfort usually lessens over time as you get used to it, and your hair grows back thinner and lighter.
There Are Temporary Side Effects
Just like with other hair removal methods, laser hair removal can come with some side effects. For the most part, it’s fairly safe, but common side effects such as redness, irritation, and changes in pigmentation can occur. Long-term side effects, on the other hand, are rare and can be avoided by seeing a licensed professional with experience in providing the service.
It Can Get Expensive
When you compare the cost of a laser hair removal session and a waxing appointment, it’s clear that the former is expensive. And because you’ll need more than one session, the cost of long-term hair removal can add up over time. However, it’s much quicker than other techniques, so you’ll be saving plenty of time.
Once you’ve gotten all your scheduled treatment sessions, you can save money on hair removal since you’ll only need to get maintenance sessions on an annual or bi-annual basis.
You’ll Need Multiple Sessions
Compared to other hair removal treatments, laser hair removal is a long-term solution, but it doesn’t ensure permanent hair removal. If you thought that you could get smooth, hair-free skin for years with just a single session, think again. You’ll need to take an average of 6 to 8 sessions before you start to see long-term results. The bright side is that sessions are scheduled about 6 weeks apart. This way, you’ll be able to squeeze laser therapy appointments into your schedule.
Some Regrowth is Possible
Although laser treatment is a long-term hair removal method that disrupts the hair follicle, it doesn’t destroy them completely. With time, the follicles can heal from the initial round of laser therapy sessions, causing hair to grow back. Because it’s unrealistic to eliminate every hair follicle in a specific area, you may experience a slight amount of regrowth.
How To Prepare For Laser Hair Removal
Besides the pros and cons of laser hair removal, there are a few things you should know before taking your first session. Here are a few points to keep in mind to help you prepare and get lasting, effective results with fewer side effects.
You’ll Need To Shave Between Sessions
If you’re excited to quit shaving because you’re starting laser hair removal, hold on! The entire laser therapy process requires about 6 months or more. And since sessions are spaced weeks apart, you’ll need to shave between them for precise results. Shaving can remove much of the hair and expose the follicle, ensuring that it’s removed.
In contrast, waxing or plucking unwanted hair means getting rid of the follicle. This affects the laser therapy process and results of long-term hair removal. Similarly, shaving is also required before a session, so that the laser light isn’t unnecessarily absorbed by the hair, reducing its impact on the hair follicle.
Avoid Sun Exposure
Experts stress the importance of staying out of the sun before your laser hair removal session. Sun exposure can increase melanin production in the skin, making it appear darker and reducing the contrast between the skin and hair. This change in your skin tone can affect the laser’s ability to target the hair follicles based on melanin.
An increase in melanin in the skin can contribute to burns, so it’s highly recommended that you stay out of the sun for at least two weeks. This extends beyond activities like using a tanning bed or sunbathing to get a tan. In fact, even casual sun exposure can end up being dangerous, as studies show that a few hours of being in the sun is enough to increase melanin concentration in the skin.
Sun Protection is Crucial
If you do head out during the day, it’s highly recommended that you wear adequate sun protection. This includes wide spectrum SPF, along with a wide-brimmed hat, long-sleeved shirt, and long-legged pants. And this isn’t just to prepare for your session but to take care of your skin afterward, too.
Sun exposure can irritate the skin, making it more sensitive and likely to burn during laser therapy. Similarly, laser hair removal can leave your skin feeling sensitive, so going out into the sun can only worsen side effects and contribute to scarring and crusting.
Wear Comfortable Clothes
On the day of your appointment, you’ll thank yourself for picking something loose-fitting and comfortable. It ensures that your clothes don’t stick to you, increasing feelings of irritation and discomfort. Similarly, if you’re getting laser hair removal for your bikini line, it’s recommended to wear soft, cotton underwear with loose trousers.
See A Licensed Professional
Even if you do all the above-mentioned steps properly, there’s still a risk of things going wrong if you don’t see a trained laser technician. Laser hair removal is an aesthetic medical procedure that requires extensive training and proper certification before being able to provide the service.
Licensed practitioners are well-equipped on what safety measures to take so you experience fewer side effects. They also stay updated on the latest advancements in technology that allow people with different skin tones and hair types to get laser hair removal. Most importantly, their equipment regularly undergoes maintenance, which is crucial for ensuring safe and effective results.
How Much Do Laser Hair Removal Treatments Cost?
Laser hair removal is considered an investment because, despite the high initial cost, it allows you to save money on hair removal down the line. Since each client is different, there’s no fixed price for the procedure.
The average price is impacted by various factors, such as the area being treated, the experience of the licensed professional providing the service, and where you’re based. Not to mention, the volume of hair can also impact the cost because an area with a higher volume of hair will need more time per session.
You can, however, get a discount on laser hair removal by paying for multiple sessions at a time. For instance, the average cost of a single session for upper lip hair removal is $75 at the . But when you get six sessions, you’ll make an upfront payment of $300, which is an average of $50 per session. Just make sure that you stick to appointment dates to avoid losing the progress you’ve made so far.
Access Safe and Reliable Laser Hair Removal At Donna Bella Laser MedSpa
To conclude our blog, laser hair removal is a safe and effective method for long-term hair removal that works by targeting the melanin in hair follicles. This makes laser hair removal safe for targetting dark hair. Some of its pros include precision, speed, and effectiveness at targeting multiple hair follicles at a time. It’s also less painful than waxing, reduces ingrown hairs, and doesn’t affect your skin texture. Most importantly, it delivers long-term results that can be maintained with yearly sessions.
On the other hand, there are a few cons, such as the higher cost of laser hair removal, the need for multiple sessions, and the risk of temporary side effects. However, you’ll be able to enjoy smooth, hair-free skin for months after completing treatment. As long as you prepare for sessions and see a licensed professional, you can reduce the risk of experiencing side effects.
We have trained laser technicians supervised by a licensed dermatologist. Say goodbye to the hassles of shaving, waxing, and pesky ingrown hairs with quality laser hair removal. Book an appointment with Donna Bella Laser MedSpa today!
