Laser hair removal pros and cons are important information everyone looking to get rid of unwanted hair should consider.
While shaving, waxing, and tweezing are all effective methods, laser hair removal is by the far the most convenient and would keep you spotless for a longer period of time.
In many cases, your hair won’t grow back after you’ve gone through this process but if it does, it would be fine and totally unnoticeable.
Unlike waxing, threading, epilating, and tweezing, you won’t have to worry about discomfort or any level of pain with this procedure.
Laser Hair Removal Pros And Cons
Pros
Laser hair removal has some grand benefits which are why it is becoming increasingly popular.
Efficiency
Laser hair removal procedures are well-known for their precision. They can selectively target dark coarse hair without damaging the surrounding skin.
Speed
Laser hair removal is very much faster than any other hair removal process out there. It only takes a fraction of a second to zap many unwanted hairs out of the affected area.
In fact, getting rid of hair on areas like the upper lips would only take a few seconds while a larger area like your back and legs may require more time, say about an hour.
Long-lasting
Laser hair removal is the best long-lasting hair removal process out there. Note that while one session would zap and get rid of unwanted hair, you might see the hair growing back in about 6 months.
To get rid of hair permanently, you would have to sign up for 8 sessions and after that, you won’t have to worry about unwanted hair growing on your skin.
Cons
Long Process
Getting rid of unwanted hair via laser hair removal is an incredibly long process that would require a lot of sessions.
While a single session would last less than an hour, it would take about 6-8 sessions to remove the hair permanently.
The issue here is that 8 sessions won’t happen in 8 days rather you would have to wait for six weeks between treatments which is an awful lot of time.
Also, the size of the area being treated could add more sessions to the entire procedure. While laser hair removal is effective, it would take a long amount of time.
Very Expensive
While a single session averages $285, it could cost you as much as $400 just to have your hair removed.
What’s worse is that you would have to do several more sessions to get the best results. This could as well rise to several thousands of dollars depending on the size of the area you’re treating.
Side effects
Due to the high cost of the treatment, people looking for this beauty treatment are more likely to run to untrained technicians offering the same procedure but at a cheaper price.
Unfortunately, so many things could go wrong with laser hair removal. While burns and scars on the skin are rare, having it done by an untrained technician could increase your risk.
To get the safest and best results, only go for technicians with a proper license regardless of the price. Always verify their licenses and certifications before going ahead with the procedure.
How Does Laser Hair Removal Work
Laser hair removal is a procedure that involves using high-heat laser beams as a mild form of radiation to damage your hair follicles.
Hair grows straight of the hair follicles and if they’re damaged, there is a lesser chance that you would experience hair regrowth.
How to Prepare For Laser Hair Removal
Laser hair removal is a medical procedure and as with all medical procedures, it comes with its fair share of risks.
- To get the best results and avoid serious side effects, you should only hire a qualified doctor or technician for the hair removal process.
- Avoid using other hair removal methods like waxing, electrolysis, and plucking six weeks before the procedure.
- Avoid exposing your skin to the sun six weeks before treatment as this would help reduce the possibility of side effects.
What To Expect During Laser Hair Removal Procedure
Right before the process, your doctor will trim your hair to a short length above the skin surface.
A topical numbing medicine will then be applied to the area to help reduce any discomfort or pain felt due to the sting of the laser during the process.
A cold or special cooling device may be used to protect the outer layers of your skin and help the laser beam penetrate the skin.
With all that being done, the doctor will then give a pulse of light to the area and watch for reactions. Once you’ve completed the procedure, you may be provided with anti-inflammatory cream or ice packs to ease any discomfort felt afterward.
This process is pretty general but your doctor may recommend any different laser hair removal process. Make sure to ask questions before and after the procedure so that you can get the best results.
Cost
Laser hair removal packs a high cost which is why it is not the most popular hair removal process even though it is one of the most effective.
According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeon, a session of laser hair removal averages $285.
The cost of treatment varies and would depend on several factors including
- The timeframe for the treatment and the size of the area being treated
- The number of procedures required
- The qualified technician or doctor performing the treatment
- The location or area where you’re having the procedure
You can try out different doctors to get a good price point for the procedure.
Summary
Overall, laser hair removal is a beauty investment that would pay off in the long run. If you’re disturbed by unwanted facial hairs ruining your look, laser hair removal could help get rid of them permanently.
With this procedure, you wouldn’t have to worry about pain, ance, and ingrown hairs as with other hair removal processes.