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7 Things to Know about Laser Hair Removal

For the past few years, laser hair removal has been the gold standard in de-fuzzifying beauty methods, with the potential to end a lifetime of annoying tweezing, waxing and shaving practices. But considering the cost and long-term commitment, it’s not an easy decision to make lightly. Keep the following tips in mind before buying your first laser hair removal deal.

1. Make sure you’re a good candidate.

Chances are that if you’re reading this, you’re eligible to experience the wonder of laser hair removal; the technology has advanced over the years to treat more and more types of people. Those with light skin and dark hair have the best chances at success (the laser light picks up on the colour contrast in order to zap follicles), but some clinics use different systems that may have improved chances at treating darker skin tones or lighter hair colours. Check to see what your clinic uses if you’re concerned about your skin-hair combination not being ideal.

2. Know that not all lasers are created equal.

You may think laser hair removal is basically the same no matter where you go, but there are at least five major technologies currently available: IPL, Alexandrite, Diode, Nd:YAG and Ruby. They each offer different pros and cons: (for example, IPL is very popular due to its versatility and lack of discomfort, but may not work as well for thicker hair). Again, what’ll work for you depends a lot on your particular skin and hair type; check the Fitzpatrick Skin Type Matrix to see what category you’re in, and call the clinic in advance to see what they’d recommend.

3. Do a background check.

Laser hair removal is a shade more complicated than your standard spa treatment, so you’ll want to make sure the person behind the handpiece is fully qualified. We try to give you as much info as possible on each offer’s page, so reading those sections on our site fully before clicking the ‘buy’ button is a great start. It also doesn’t hurt to do a quick Google search, check the clinic’s website or simply call them up to learn more about the operator’s education and experience.

4. Shave, but don’t wax, before your first visit.

In the weeks leading up to your first treatment, nix all forms of hair removal that require pulling out the root, including waxing, tweezing and epilating. Switch to razors about four to six weeks in advance – some clinics will require that you shave right before treatment, while some others request that you have a bit of stubble (maybe up to three days worth) in order for the light technology to pick up on the strands. Make sure to consult your clinic to see what prep work they’ll want you to do.

5. Avoid the sun.

Since skin colour has a big impact on how effective the laser treatment can be, getting a golden tan right before your visit is clearly a bad idea; the closer the skin colour is to the hair, the less likely the laser can differentiate between the two. Most docs recommend completely protecting the area from sunlight 72 hours in advance, or more if possible. The area will be sensitive afterward as well, and it’s often recommended to stay out of the sun or wear sunblock for up to a month or two after treatment.

6. Expect a small amount of irritation.

Having powerful lasers aimed at your body sounds like it could be rough, but thankfully it’s usually not. People often describe the sensation as feeling like a rubber band popping at your skin, and machines that use a cooling handpiece tend to mitigate discomfort overall. Basically, if you can handle waxing, you should be more than able to handle laser hair removal. Afterwards, it’s fairly standard for the area to be red, but this should subside after a few hours or a day.

7. The results won’t be instant.

Shaving and waxing are quick, temporary fixes, but laser hair removal requires you to play the long game. Hair won’t disappear instantly after the first treatment; it gradually falls out in the preceding weeks, and requires roughly four to 10 visits to be fully eradicated. Additionally, visits have to be scheduled about four to eight weeks apart for your safety, and the number of visits may depend on your own skin type and hair growth. But if you’re willing to be patient and stick with it, you’ll wind up with long-lasting, potentially permanent results.

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