“Laser hair removal” is one of the hair removal methods that is gaining more and more attention nowadays, because it can effectively remove unwanted hair, such as hair in the armpits, arms, legs or bikini area, and can also make the skin smooth and no longer have goose bumps, so it has always been popular.
But how many types of laser hair removal are there? How many times do you need to do it to remove the hair? What are the hair removal areas? Is the hair removal process painful? What are the precautions before and after hair removal? What about laser hair removal before and after? These questions, I will let you know all through this article.
What is Laser Hair Removal?
Laser Hair Removal is a permanent hair removal method that uses heat energy from a laser to precisely destroy the hair root. The hair root area contains melanocytes, which absorb the laser energy and convert it into heat energy, which destroys the hair, the hair root, and the tissues connected to the hair root, including the blood vessels that supply it with nutrients, making it unable to produce stem cells that promote hair growth.
The new hair growth cycle will be slower, and the new hair will be thinner and lighter in color, and will gradually decrease without causing damage to the skin.
Laser hair removal is considered an effective and permanent hair removal method because it can adjust the wavelength of the laser according to the color and characteristics of the hair and skin.
Laser hair removal and skin lasers use different wavelengths and energies. Some laser devices can be used for both hair removal and skin treatments by adjusting the settings of the laser.
Where can laser hair removal be used on the body?
Laser hair removal can be used on many areas of the body, depending on individual needs and suitability. The areas where laser hair removal can be performed are as follows:
Laser hair removal on the face or facial hair area.
Such as laser beard, laser sideburns, hair at the corners of the mouth and upper lip, which helps keep the face clean and reduces irritation and dermatitis problems caused by shaving.
Laser hair removal on the hairline.
Used to remove hair on the hairline, suitable for people with thick hair on the hairline, who want to make the forehead smooth, flat and look wider, and people who have forehead rash problems due to allergies to their own hairline, can also undergo laser hair removal to reduce dermatitis or rash problems.
Laser hair removal underarms.
Using laser to remove hair under the armpits, suitable for removing hair under the armpits, helps reduce the possibility of ingrown hair follicles and irritation caused by shaving or waxing, and also helps reduce odor.
Laser hair removal on arms and legs.
All hair on the arms and legs can be removed, making the skin of the legs and arms smooth, transparent and better to touch.
Laser hair removal for bikini (laser hair removal for private parts).
For removing hair in or around the private areas that may show along the panty line. There are other types of private laser hair removal, such as Brazilian Laser Hair Removal or Hollywood Laser Hair Removal).
Laser Hair Removal for Chest, Back or Abdomen.
Suitable for people who want to remove hair from their chest, abdomen or back, it is more common for men, but can also be performed by women. This helps to make the skin in these areas smooth and fair.
Laser Hair Removal for Ingrown Hairs.
Ingrown hair problems are caused by abnormal thickening of the skin in the pores that clog the pores, forming raised papules that prevent the hair from growing out. Laser treatment for ingrown hairs can improve ingrown hairs and reduce the number of ingrown hairs. The laser can destroy the roots of the hairs that are trying to grow out.
Before laser hair removal.
You should not remove hair on your own two weeks before laser hair removal, including using traditional scrapers, electric epilators, home photoelectric epilators, depilatory creams, waxing, etc. Otherwise, it will cause irritation to the skin, thus affecting the effect of laser hair removal and increasing the possibility of folliculitis.
Do not use laser hair removal if your skin is red, itchy or damaged.
The skin should not be exposed to the sun two weeks before laser hair removal, because laser treatment on exposed skin is likely to cause burns, redness and blistering, and even scabs and scars, with disastrous consequences.
Laser hair removal is prohibited for the following groups:
- Photosensitivity.
- Those who have recently taken photosensitivity foods or drugs (such as celery, isotretinoin, etc.).
- Patients with pacemakers or defibrillators.
- Patients with damaged skin at the treatment site.
- Pregnant women, people with diabetes, heart disease, and high blood pressure.
- Skin cancer patients.
- Fragile skin that has been exposed to the sun recently.
- Pregnant or pregnant women.
- Those with allergies or scarring constitutions; those with a history of keloids.
- Those who are taking vasodilators and anti-arthralgia drugs; and those who have recently taken photosensitivity foods or drugs (such as celery, isotretinoin, etc.).
- Those with blood diseases and coagulation disorders.
After laser hair removal.
Avoid direct sunlight. Once again, pay attention to sun protection before and after the operation! Otherwise, sun exposure will easily turn black, and repair will be necessary after the blackening, which will be very troublesome.
After hair removal, the pores are easy to open. At this time, you cannot take a sauna, and avoid irritating the skin with overheated water. Basically, avoid bathing and swimming within 6 hours of laser hair removal to avoid inflammation.
Moisturizing. Strengthen moisturizing 24 hours after laser hair removal. You can choose moisturizing products with strong moisturizing properties, low allergenicity, not too oily, and avoid moisturizing products containing essential oil ingredients.
Avoid drinking alcohol within one week of laser hair removal, and do not go to high-temperature places, such as saunas, sweat steaming, and hot springs.
Eat more foods rich in vitamin C to improve immunity and reduce pigment production. Eat less photosensitive foods, such as leeks, celery, soy sauce, papaya, etc.
If redness and swelling occur, try to lower the temperature of the epidermis. Cold spray, ice compress, etc. can be used.
During the treatment, it is forbidden to apply any functional or hormone-containing products.
Avoid further irritation of the skin after treatment, choose cleansing products that do not damage the sebum membrane, and avoid using scrubs or exfoliating products before and after the operation. Avoid fragrances, pigments, excessive preservatives and alcohol ingredients.
Possible side effects of laser hair removal.
Laser hair removal is a non-invasive, gentle and safe treatment. Most patients experience no obvious skin discomfort after treatment and recover quickly. A small number of patients will experience adverse reactions, which are mostly related to excessive treatment energy, dark skin color, and improper skin care after treatment.
Persistent erythema and blisters.
If erythema persists or blisters appear after treatment, you should seek medical attention as soon as possible, and the doctor will take timely measures to deal with it. Early intervention can greatly reduce the risk of subsequent adverse reactions.
Pigment abnormalities.
These include hyperpigmentation and hypopigmentation. These changes are usually transient, generally lasting 6-9 months, and improve over time. Very rarely, permanent hypopigmentation may occur.
Scars.
Rare, but more common in cases where the skin is burned by excessive energy during surgery or severe secondary infection occurs after surgery.
Paradoxical hair stimulation.
Occasionally, laser hair removal may induce hair growth, more commonly in patients with darker skin or in women with abnormal androgen levels.
Secondary urticaria-like reaction.
Rarely, if urticaria-like wheals occur after surgery, they can be treated with oral antihistamines.
IPL Laser Hair Removal Case.
What is IPL Hair Removal?
IPL is intense pulsed light. IPL hair removal is currently recognized as the most advanced hair removal technology. It uses the principle of selective photothermal action, targeting hair follicles, allowing the melanin in them to absorb energy, causing the hair follicle tissue to degenerate, coagulate, and necrotize, thereby achieving the purpose of permanent hair removal.
How does IPL hair removal work?
It uses the selective photothermal effect of a patented intense pulse light source and utilizes the absorption of light of a specific wavelength by melanocytes in the hair follicles to generate heat, thereby selectively destroying the hair follicles, achieving the effect of removing hair while avoiding damage to surrounding tissues.
What are the benefits of IPL hair removal?
- Thorough removal: It can penetrate into the deep layer of the dermis and the subcutaneous fat tissue, act on the deep hair follicles in different parts, and effectively remove deep hair.
- No harm: It will not harm the skin. The skin just treated will be a little red, which will gradually subside after a few hours.
- Fast speed: For those with excessive hair on the upper lip and armpits, the treatment only takes 5 to 15 minutes, while it takes a longer time to treat the entire chest, abdomen, back or legs.
- Mild pain: Most patients reported no pain during the treatment, a small number felt slight discomfort, slight tingling, and some patients felt mild itching.
IPL laser hair removal before and after photos:
Diode Laser Hair Removal Case.
What is diode laser hair removal?
The 808nm wavelength laser emitted by the diode hair removal device can effectively penetrate the epidermis and reach the target tissue (hair papilla). The appropriate pulse duration causes fatal thermal damage to the target tissue; the appropriate energy density provides strong enough energy output to deeply damage the target tissue; the appropriate epidermal protection measures ensure sufficient damage to the target tissue, while the epidermis is almost unaffected. The characteristics of the 808nm wavelength laser, the appropriate energy output and the effective epidermal cooling ensure the effectiveness and safety of the treatment. While meeting the above design requirements, the specially designed multi-pulse laser of the semiconductor hair removal device heats the hair follicles to 45°C in a lower energy density mode, and the hair follicles and growth stem cells lose their growth activity after a period of time (at 10Hz) by sliding the treatment handpiece, thereby achieving the purpose of permanent hair removal.
What are the advantages of diode laser hair removal?
- Safe and fast
- Sliding technology
- Multi-pulse technology
- Large spot technology
- Ultra-high power
- Ultra-long pulse width
- The safest, fastest, painless and efficient
Compared with long-pulse 1064nm laser, IPL and other devices, the 808nm diode hair removal laser also has the safety of long-wavelength laser. In addition, it has fast sliding technology, multi-pulse technology, large spot technology, 10Hz frequency technology, ultra-long pulse width, and ultra-high power. It is currently the safest, fastest, painless, efficient and preferred hair removal device.
Photos before and after diode laser hair removal:
Laser Hair Removal FAQ.
Will the skin burn after laser hair removal?
After laser hair removal, the skin in the treated area will feel burning. This may happen slightly within 1-2 days after laser hair removal because the laser generates heat energy in the skin. But it will disappear on its own. If you want to reduce the burning sensation, you can use cold compresses and apply skin care lotion to relieve the symptoms.
How many sessions of laser hair removal are needed?
In most cases, the laser hair removal course is 6-12 sessions, depending on the laser site and hair problem. It is recommended that patients undergo 5-8 sessions and return for laser treatment every 30 days or once a month for best results.
Does laser hair removal take a long time?
The time required for laser hair removal also depends on the location of the laser. For example, laser underarm hair removal takes 10-15 minutes, but if laser arm-leg hair removal is required, it may take longer.
Will hair grow back after laser hair removal?
Each laser hair removal can destroy about 20% of the hair, so it is recommended to do it once a month to continuously reduce hair growth. Generally speaking, 5 or more laser hair removals are required to completely remove the hair. The treatment can be suspended until you feel the hair growing again. It can last for 1-2 years on average. This is a very convenient treatment method that does not require frequent hair removal by yourself.
Why do I feel itchy after laser hair removal?
Itching after laser hair removal is normal. Because the energy waves contact the skin, it will cause mild itching, which will subside on its own. During this period, you should avoid scratching or rubbing hard, as it may cause wounds and skin infections.
Does laser hair removal hurt?
Laser hair removal does not hurt, but there will be a slight sour, numb, and hot feeling during the operation, which is tolerable. And cold gel or cold air will be used during the operation to help increase comfort. If you are afraid of pain, or if you are removing hair in areas with very thin skin, such as hair on the lips and groin, you can apply anesthetic cream before laser hair removal. In addition, some types of laser instruments have a cooling system during the laser process, which can also reduce discomfort during the operation.
What is the best laser hair removal machine?
There are many excellent diode laser hair removal machines, but I suggest choosing one that has sufficient experience and has been on the market for more than 10 years. Only when the machine has stood the test of time and the market can it be called the best diode laser.
If you need to buy a high-quality diode hair removal laser, you can choose LitonLaser’s 808nm portable diode hair removal laser. 18 years of production history, German imported laser bar (laser source), three-wave/four-wave optional, suitable for all skin types.
