Ought to You Get Laser Hair Removing? Estheticians Weigh In

For many who select to take away their physique hair, it might probably typically appear to be there’s no such factor as an ideal choice. 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 individuals, can result in pesky ingrown hairs that go away discoloration behind.

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

How Does Laser Hair Removing Work?

In keeping with Madalaina, there are a couple of several types of lasers for hair elimination. The commonest are Alexandrite and Nd:YAG. 

Alexandrite lasers principally work by selecting up the distinction between the pigment within the hair versus the pores and skin, which means they work greatest on individuals with truthful pores and skin and darkish hair (gentle brown to black). For a similar cause, Alexandrite lasers aren’t appropriate for darker pores and skin tones (this might be Fitzpatrick skin types 4-6).

Nd:YAG lasers, then again, work by passing gentle vitality instantly underneath the follicle. The sunshine vitality 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 development. Since Nd:YAG lasers don’t depend on distinction, they’re an ideal choice for these with darker pores and skin tones.

(Enjoyable Truth: Dr. Fitzpatrick created his eponymous scale to assist dermatologists gauge a affected person’s danger 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 Removing Work on Blonde Hair?

In case your hair is white, gray, or very gentle blonde, laser hair elimination is probably not choice for you. Each Alexandrite and Nd:YAG lasers are in the end drawn to the pigment within the hair, and that is how the vitality 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, understand that laser hair elimination usually isn’t as efficient for gentle hair as it’s for darker hair. Make 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 Removing Are Wanted?

“In my expertise,” says Madalaina, “this may range fairly drastically relying on the machine and the consumer. Extra traditional 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 remedies 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 development. In any other case, remedies aren’t as efficient.

Are Contact-Ups Required?

Madalaina notes that touch-ups will depend upon the consumer’s hair kind in addition to the machine used. It’s additionally a matter of choice and is determined by how fastidious somebody desires to be. Madalaina says most purchasers solely require one or two touchups per 12 months, however some desire to return in additional usually. “The beauty of shaving versus waxing is which you could shave in between and it gained’t mess up the hair development cycle,” she says. “This implies you’ll be able to keep clean between appointments and don’t must undergo the awkward development stage required with waxing.” 

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

The quick reply isn’t any. I actually first tried laser hair elimination in 2005, and I distinctly keep in mind being advised, “You’ll be able to throw away your razor, you’ll by no means must shave once more.” This was undoubtedly an over-exaggeration, however as of late, practitioners are much more upfront about setting lifelike 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 elimination doesn’t take away 100% of hair, it may be life-changing. It considerably reduces hair development (which 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 implies that shaving is simpler and far much less frequent. One other bonus? Other than nearly stopping ingrown hairs of their tracks, laser hair elimination fades outdated discoloration attributable to ingrowns and irritation. The result’s a lot smoother, brighter pores and skin total, even after only one session. 

In keeping with Madalaina, the one technique 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 12 months to Get Laser Hair Removing?

One of the best time of 12 months for laser hair elimination is fall or winter. I at all times inform my purchasers that that is the very best time of 12 months for skilled remedies typically, and the reason being that you simply’re much less prone to get solar publicity. Many remedies make the pores and skin briefly extra photosensitive, and laser hair elimination isn’t 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. 

Be taught why winter is the very best time of 12 months to eliminate brown spots (and easy methods to do it).

What Are Prep and Aftercare for Laser Hair Removing 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 lively merchandise like exfoliating acids and retinol, and topical prescriptions like tretinoin or hydroquinone (Madalaina says this may range relying on the machine). Should you’re utilizing Accutane for pimples, you’ll wish to wait no less than a month after your final dose to get laser hair elimination. Once more, you’ll want to 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 evening earlier than your appointment. “This ensures the best therapy since we wish the sunshine vitality to have quick access to the follicle as an alternative of getting to waste vitality on floor hair development (which may additionally burn),” she says. “I discover shaving the evening 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 get well. Shaving too near your appointment time can typically lead to 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 extreme exercise, swim, or sauna to keep away from irritation,” she says. Should you’re experiencing some discomfort, a quick, cool bathe can be utilized to assuage post-treatment.

In the case of laser hair elimination aftercare, a very powerful factor is hydration. I at all times advocate that purchasers 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. Keep in mind, pores and skin is tremendous uncooked after being uncovered to the warmth of a laser, so it must be babied. You should utilize 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’ll be able to add shaving or exfoliating to your routine to assist slough off lifeless pores and skin cells and permit hairs which are detaching to shed by 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. 

Discover the Proper Supplier for Your Remedy

Earlier than reserving a therapy, e-book a session. The machines used for laser hair elimination 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 advocate trying into the kind of laser that greatest describes your pores and skin and hair kind after which doing a little 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 when you can, ask these round you to gauge sincere experiences! I additionally have a tendency to love smaller, extra specialised studios vs. bigger chains. Lasers are highly effective, consideration to element is all the pieces, and you must really feel that you’re getting a personalised expertise. Good suppliers will at all times exit of their technique to acquire in-depth data of your routine and targets to maximise your expertise. They’ll stroll you thru expectations, guarantee you might be snug and might be blissful to reply all your questions! Having a specialised laser or superior certification is at all times a plus.” 

My Expertise With (and Sincere Overview of) Laser Hair Removing

I bought laser hair elimination 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 all the pieces develop out for a couple 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 development between the primary few remedies of laser hair elimination, however as Madalaina identified, you’ll be able to shave. Finally, that awkward re-growth stops nearly altogether. 

I had ten remedies in whole and, as I discussed, it eliminated about 90% of my hair. I’ve a mix 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 light-weight now that I don’t even go for touch-ups, and I barely even must shave anymore.

I do wish to say that outcomes can nonetheless range vastly 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 development naturally slows down with age. That stated, I’m actually proud of the outcomes and undoubtedly desire it to the waxing I used to be doing all these years. I’m ready to consider it loads much less, and it’s yet one more factor I don’t have to fret about!

Subsequent up, when you get common waxes, learn my fail-proof information to stopping ingrown hairs.

Movie star 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 knowledgeable has created a real-world answer — 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.”