Ought to You Get Laser Hair Elimination? Estheticians Weigh In

For individuals who select to take away their physique hair, it will probably generally look like 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 specific amount of hair re-growth and, for some folks, can result in pesky ingrown hairs that go away discoloration behind.

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

How Does Laser Hair Elimination Work?

In accordance with Madalaina, there are just a few several types of lasers for hair removing. The most typical are Alexandrite and Nd:YAG. 

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

Nd:YAG lasers, however, work by passing gentle power immediately underneath the follicle. The sunshine power 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 progress. Since Nd:YAG lasers don’t depend on distinction, they’re an important choice for these with darker pores and skin tones.

(Enjoyable Reality: 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. After I first began my profession, I used to be fortunate sufficient to meet him and witness this course of firsthand!)

Does Laser Hair Elimination Work on Blonde Hair?

In case your hair is white, gray, or very gentle blonde, laser hair removing will not be an excellent choice for you. Each Alexandrite and Nd:YAG lasers are in the end interested in the pigment within the hair, and that is how the power supply will get directed. If there’s little to no pigment within the hair, the lasers could have a a lot tougher time concentrating 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, remember the fact that laser hair removing 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 Classes of Laser Hair Elimination Are Wanted?

“In my expertise,” says Madalaina, “this may differ fairly drastically relying on the system and the consumer. Extra traditional machines often require eight or extra classes, 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 sometimes 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 progress. In any other case, remedies aren’t as efficient.

Are Contact-Ups Required?

Madalaina notes that touch-ups will rely on the consumer’s hair sort in addition to the system used. It’s additionally a matter of choice and is determined by how fastidious somebody needs to be. Madalaina says most shoppers solely require one or two touchups per 12 months, however some want to return in additional usually. “The beauty of shaving versus waxing is which you can shave in between and it gained’t mess up the hair progress cycle,” she says. “This implies you may keep easy between appointments and don’t must undergo the awkward progress stage required with waxing.” 

Does Laser Take away ALL Hair? What Are Real looking Expectations?

The quick reply isn’t any. I actually first tried laser hair removing in 2005, and I distinctly bear in mind being informed, “You’ll be able to throw away your razor, you’ll by no means must shave once more.” This was positively an over-exaggeration, however lately, practitioners are much more upfront about setting practical 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 generally known as laser hair discount as a substitute.

Whereas laser hair removing doesn’t take away 100% of hair, it may be life-changing. It considerably reduces hair progress (which means many 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? Apart from nearly stopping ingrown hairs of their tracks, laser hair removing fades previous discoloration attributable to ingrowns and irritation. The result’s a lot smoother, brighter pores and skin general, even after only one session. 

In accordance with Madalaina, the one method to completely take away all hair is thru electrolysis, which she notes is a painful and tedious course of.  

What’s the Greatest Time of 12 months to Get Laser Hair Elimination?

The perfect time of 12 months for laser hair removing is fall or winter. I all the time inform my shoppers that that is the perfect time of 12 months for skilled remedies on the whole, and the reason being that you simply’re much less more likely to get solar publicity. Many remedies make the pores and skin quickly extra photosensitive, and laser hair removing 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 perfect time of 12 months to do away with brown spots (and tips on how to do it).

What Are Prep and Aftercare for Laser Hair Elimination Like?

Earlier than Your Appointment

As I discussed, stopping solar publicity to the areas you’re getting handled is crucial 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 differ relying on the system). For those who’re utilizing Accutane for zits, you’ll wish to wait at the least a month after your final dose to get laser hair removing. Once more, you should definitely test together with your supplier for particular directions.

Madalaina provides that you simply’ll wish to shave the areas which can be going to be handled the night time earlier than your appointment. “This ensures the simplest remedy since we would like the sunshine power to have easy accessibility to the follicle as a substitute of getting to waste power on floor hair progress (which might additionally burn),” she says. “I discover shaving the night time earlier than to be the candy spot as a result of the shave continues to be recent, however the pores and skin’s had a while to get better. Shaving too near your appointment time can generally lead to further sensitivity or irritation on the pores and skin.”

After Your Appointment

After your remedy, Madalaina says it’s greatest to keep away from any heavy sweating or moisture for about 24 hours. “Skip the extraordinary exercise, swim, or sauna to keep away from irritation,” she says. For those who’re experiencing some discomfort, a short, cool bathe can be utilized to appease post-treatment.

With regards to laser hair removing aftercare, crucial factor is hydration. I all the time suggest that shoppers 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 use 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 may add shaving or exfoliating to your routine to assist slough off useless pores and skin cells and permit hairs which can be detaching to shed by way of 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. 

The best way to Discover the Proper Supplier for Your Remedy

Earlier than reserving a remedy, e book a session. The machines used for laser hair removing are highly effective, and used incorrectly (or on the flawed individual) they’ll trigger injury. It’s necessary to search out somebody expert who takes the time to reply all of your questions.

“I’d suggest trying into the kind of laser that greatest describes your pores and skin and hair sort after which doing a little analysis on the laser your potential supplier carries,” says Madalaina. “I all the time 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 every little thing, and it is best to really feel that you’re getting a personalised expertise. Good suppliers will all the time exit of their method to achieve in-depth information of your routine and targets to maximise your expertise. They’ll stroll you thru expectations, guarantee you’re snug and can be glad to reply all your questions! Having a specialised laser or superior certification is all the time a plus.” 

My Expertise With (and Sincere Evaluate of) Laser Hair Elimination

I obtained laser hair removing 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 all the time hated about waxing (apart from the ache) was the truth that I needed to let every little thing develop out for just a few weeks between waxes. This meant I had about one week of easy pores and skin, after which I used to be caught with stubble for one more three or so. There can positively be some awkward hair progress between the primary few remedies of laser hair removing, however as Madalaina identified, you may shave. Finally, that awkward re-growth stops virtually 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 lightweight 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 differ tremendously 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 progress naturally slows down with age. That stated, I’m actually pleased with the outcomes and positively want it to the waxing I used to be doing all these years. I’m ready to consider it loads much less, and it’s another factor I don’t have to fret about!

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

Celeb Esthetician & Skincare Knowledgeable
As an esthetician skilled 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 can be formulated for nine different types of skin so your face will get precisely what it must feel and appear its greatest. Trusted by celebrities, editors, bloggers, and skincare obsessives across the globe, her huge real-world information and fixed analysis are why Marie Claire calls her “probably the most passionate pores and skin practitioner we all know.”