Laser Hair Removal: Pros And Cons

1) If you have previously removed hair from the root (waxing, sugaring, using an electric epilator or tweezers), it is necessary to wait until the hair grows back. Before the start of laser hair removal and between sessions of all methods of hair removal only shaving is allowed.
2) Two weeks before the first session and during the course it is necessary to refuse taking antibiotics and other medicines with photosensitizing effect (they increase sensitivity to light).
3) For 2 weeks you must also give up tanning (natural or tanning bed), as well as the use of creams, auto-bronzants. The only exception to this rule is laser hair removal with Moveo technology – you can sunbathe before it (but stop sunbathing at least one day before the procedure).
4) If dynamic Moveo hair removal is planned, the hair is shaved off just before or shortly (a few hours) before the procedure.

Laser hair removal must be preceded by a consultation with a cosmetologist. During it you should tell about your illnesses. Be sure to inform about pregnancy – this is contra-indication for laser hair removal! If you constantly take any medication, tell also about them – taking certain drugs can increase sensitivity to laser radiation.

You should not hide the fact that you are coming for the procedure for the first time. In this case, the beautician will explain to you in detail how the procedure goes. If you have had your hair removed in other ways before, tell us exactly how you did it.

The laser removes the hair together with the follicle, so the effect lasts for a long time. Over time, new follicles “wake up”, and then the course is repeated. With each time the hairs become more and more rare, thin and weak, and gradually their growth can stop altogether. However, there is no guarantee that the hairs will never grow after laser removal: the prognosis depends on the individual characteristics of the body, genetics, health, hormonal background and many other factors.

During a laser hair removal session the hairs in the growth stage are destroyed. However, besides them there are so-called “sleeping”, i.e. inactive follicles. They “wake up” in some time (on the average in 2-4 weeks) after the procedure, and hair growth resumes. Sometimes hair even becomes thicker – so the compensatory mechanisms work. There is no need to be frightened: the more growing hairs, the more effective the procedure is.

With each new session the hair becomes less and less, and finally its growth stops completely – it means that not a single follicle survived. Full smoothness of the skin usually lasts for about two to three years. Afterwards, the follicles gradually “wake up” and hair growth resumes, but the hair will be rarer and weaker. Repeated short courses of laser hair removal often allow getting rid of excess hair forever. And some lucky women forget about the problem of hair loss after the first course.

The pain during treatment is due to the heating of the skin. The laser tip is equipped with a special cooling device, so unpleasant sensations are minimized. However, for people with an elevated pain threshold to completely eliminate discomfort during the procedure, especially if we are talking about the treatment of sensitive areas, it is recommended to use anesthetic creams and gels. Such products are applied to the skin and reduce sensitivity.

There is no need to use anesthetics during dynamic epilation Moveo. This procedure does not cause any discomfort.

If the equipment used for the procedure is of high quality, with properly adjusted parameters, the probability of burns is excluded. Outdated models of lasers in the hands of non-professionals can lead to overheating and trauma to the upper layers of the skin. This is why it is important to carefully choose a clinic, not trusting the procedure to random people. A qualified beautician will correctly adjust the equipment in accordance with the individual characteristics of the patient (color, skin type and hair), as well as identify contraindications and factors that may increase sensitivity to radiation.

The intervals between procedures are determined individually depending on the area and the characteristics of the body. There must be a break of not less than a month to activate as many follicles as possible. As a rule, epilation of the face and bikini zone is carried out once in 1 – 1,5 months, and treatment of shins – once in 1,5 – 2 months. In between, emerging hairs can be shaved off or depilatory cream can be used. Other methods of removal between sessions are contraindicated.

The hair is constantly renewing – while some hairs are growing, there are also “dormant”, i.e. inactive follicles. The laser sees only those hairs that are in the growth phase. In between treatments, inactive follicles are awakened, and hair growth resumes. This process occurs at different rates on different parts of the body, so the frequency of sessions may vary.

It’s all individual, but it usually takes six to eight treatments to achieve flawless smoothness. If the hair is very thick, or if the hair growth is triggered by hormonal imbalances, more sessions may be needed.

Between laser hair removal sessions hair growth resumes – it is dormant follicles awakening. The appearance of hair is a sign that it’s time for the next hair removal session. After the course is over there are no follicles left and hair growth stops for at least two years. During this period, the follicles partially regenerate. The repeated course allows getting rid of vegetation for an even longer period, and in some cases – forever.

It is necessary to take into account that hair growth can intensify during changes of the hormonal background, for example, during pregnancy and after it, taking some medications, hormonal diseases.

No. Hair ingrowth occurs if it is removed “against the hair”, such as with a razor, electric epilator or wax. Laser hair removal does not have this effect.

No, this procedure is perfectly safe if performed by a competent specialist with professional equipment. Laser radiation “works” with melanin and penetrates the skin to the depth of the hair follicle.

You can, but only if the course is completed before conception. On average, 6 to 8 treatments are required for complete hair removal, which are carried out at intervals of one to two months. Thus, it will take at least six months to achieve smooth skin.

If pregnancy occurs before the end of the course, the sessions will have to be discontinued regardless of whether hair growth continues or not. After the end of lactation, the treatments can be resumed.

You should also take into consideration that during pregnancy hormonal background changes greatly and in some cases it can lead to increased hair growth. In this case the effect of laser hair removal can be less persistent.

You can, but only on those areas where there are no dilated veins. The thing is that during laser hair removal local heating takes place, which is contraindicated for varicose veins. So, you will have to give up treatment of legs in order not to worsen the veins, but, say, hair removal of the upper lip or armpits can be done.

After 16 – 18 years old. In adolescence, the hormonal background is unstable, so it can be difficult to cope with unnecessary vegetation.

Important! The laser does not operate on gray hairs which do not contain melanin. For this reason laser hair removal can be insufficiently effective for older people.

You can, but it’s better to wait until your period is over. During the critical days the sensitivity increases and the procedure can be less comfortable than in the middle of the cycle. The greatest discomfort, both physical and psychological, delivers during this period is bikini hair removal.

You can. The laser affects the pigments. This includes not only melanin in the hairs, but also particles of dye trapped in the skin during tattooing. As a result, during laser hair removal, the pigment is heated and destroyed, causing a burn. The image may become pale and scarring is also possible.

To avoid such consequences the tattoo in the treatment area is covered with a special white pencil or sealed. As a result, the laser stops “seeing” these pigments, and burns do not occur.

No, controlled laser light does not cause cancer. It is safer than the sunlight we are all familiar with.

Already developed malignant tumors are contra-indication for laser hair removal. It is necessary to cure the disease and only then proceed to hair removal after consultation with an oncologist.

It is possible. But it must be agreed with your attending oncologist.

Laser hair removal must be abandoned in case of malignant neoplasms. If the tumor is benign (e.g. myoma), it is possible to epilate all zones. In any case it is necessary to get individual recommendations of your doctor before the procedure.

You can. Moles are painted over or taped with special stickers so that the laser does not affect the pigment they contain.

The first day after laser hair removal it is not allowed to rub the treated areas, to do sports, it is also not recommended to sweat. After bikini waxing it is desirable to refrain from sexual intercourse for one day.

You can see devices for home laser hair removal on sale. They differ significantly from professional units not only in price, but also in power. Only specialists with appropriate education and special training can perform laser manipulations in the clinic. Home epilators are designed for the average consumer. To ensure that the non-professional use did not have fatal consequences, the development of such devices is focused on safety, but not on efficiency. In terms of functionality and power home equipment is significantly inferior to professional.

In practice, this means that each session lasts several times longer than in the clinic, at least 20-30 treatments for each area, and in some cases the effect is not effective at all. For example, this option is not suitable for dark-skinned women, home epilators are ineffective for removal of thick, stiff hair, “do not see” pubescent and light vegetation. In addition, the pain is possible even if you follow all the manufacturer’s recommendations. Only a few home epilators are equipped with a scanner, in other cases you have to remove each hair individually. Thus, this option is suitable only for very patient girls with fair skin, dark hair and a lot of free time.

Yes, it is. But you have to take into account that men’s hair is usually tougher, thicker and more abundant than women’s. Respectively, and to get rid of vegetation is more difficult – and in any way.  If the girls’ skin becomes completely smooth after 6-8 laser hair removal sessions, the men need more procedures.

Because hardware procedures should be carried out by qualified specialists – cosmetology doctors who have been trained. Such doctors can work in large salons, but more often still work in medical clinics. Another reason – higher hygienic standards, which are necessarily observed in a licensed clinic and not always in the salons.