About
Hair removal is available in many options right from waxing to shaving. However, if you are looking for a relatively permanent way, Laser is the way to go.
In the west, this is a popular procedure.
Light is beamed into the hair follicle, which is then absorbed by the pigments. The hair gets burned right at the root.
Benefits
You can use this procedure for removing unwanted hairs from the face, arms legs, bikini area, and underarms, etc.
The hair can stop growing permanently in many cases, but surely the rate of hair growth goes down in about 3 – 7 sessions.
Only the dark, coarse hair is burnt and the skin surrounding the hair is left unaffected.
Procedure
Caution: Always make sure you have a hair removal procedure done by a qualified doctor. Many cosmetics institutes claim to have this procedure but it requires rigorous training and expertise to do it. Lack of care may end up having your face permanently scarred.
Before the treatment, the dermatologist will ask you to stop any other hair removal treatments to have as many as possible hair roots in place for better efficacy.
You would also be avoiding the sun for a few days.
At the time of the treatment, the area to be treated will be shaved to minimize the surface hair, also to avoid the unpleasant burning odor of the hair during the treatment. A numbing agent may be applied. You will be given protective goggles to wear.
Depending on the number of hair, their thickness, coarseness, etc., the laser device will be adjusted to the required settings.
The doctor will then aim the laser at the hair roots and burn them with the light in one area and observe for any adverse reaction.
Areas such as chin may take a few minutes but arms and legs can take up to an hour for treatment.
If all is well the procedure will continue for the rest of the area, else the settings are adjusted before proceeding. You may request a cold gel to avoid the warmth of the laser beams.
Aftercare
Once the procedure is completed, you may be given an ice pack to soothe your skin.
Your skin will feel tender and raw for a day or two. You may apply soothing moisturizers. After that, you should be ok. The hair will continue to fall off over the next few days.
Any other products such as make-up etc. can wait for a day or so.
Direct sun exposure must be avoided for a few weeks.
Usually, 5 -10 treatment sessions are required to have the hair of any area permanently removed. Depending on your hair and skin type, your dermatologist will give you an estimate of the number of sessions required.