1. Limit Your Risks
Laser hair removal works best on people with dark colored hair and light skin. But, it can also be used on you if you have darker skin. It doesn't work if you have blonde, white, light brown or light red hair. The safest route is to choose a trained doctor to perform the laser hair removal. You want one that is a board certified dermatologist. Meet with your doctor beforehand to determine what the treatment will be. If he has a PA or nurse use the laser hair remover, the doctor should still supervise and be around, just in case. Know that there are some side effects. The doctor may miss some of your hair or you may have some re-growth. Your skin may become darker or lighter, which is usually temporary. Scarring or blistering is rare.
2. Get Ready
Talk everything over with your doctor before your laser hair removal session. You'll go over your medical history, the risks, benefits and what you expect from the treatment. He will also take pictures from different angles to show the treatment area. If you're tanned, you're going to have to wait until it fades completely to get laser hair removal. A tan can cause more side effects such as discoloration of your skin. Shave the day before laser hair removal treatment. Your hairs need to be visible but short. Don't wax or pluck your hair for three weeks before treatment.
3. Feel the Press
The doctor will press the laser hair remover directly to your skin. They hold it in their hand and there's a cool gel or cooling device on the tip of the instrument to keep your skin from overheating. The doctor activates the laser remover and light pulses through your skin's surface. It goes right to the hair follicles where the original growth takes place. The heat from the laser damages the tiny sacs, inhibiting future hair growth. As the patient, you wear goggles to prevent the laser light from accidentally getting in your eyes. You feel the laser sting but you shouldn't feel pain. The doctor will probably apply a local anesthetic to your skin. Be prepared to smell burning hair. It's normal. If you're getting your upper lip lasered, it will take a few minutes. If you're getting your legs done, it may take a few hours.
4. A Few Times is the Charm
One laser hair removal treatment probably won't do it. It usually takes several sessions to keep you hair free. Your doctor will likely schedule six to eight treatments six to eight weeks apart for the best results. Still, hair re-growth is possible. You'll still require maintenance treatments periodically. Check with your insurance company to see if they cover laser hair removal. The costs varies by doctor.
5. Recovery is a Snap
You don't need to wear any bandages after laser hair removal. Your skin may sting, swell or look red, but that will usually fade. If your skin gets crusty at all, keep it moist with petroleum jelly. Make sure you don't exercise for the first day after the treatment. Stay out of the sun, don't wax or pluck your hair and wash it gently with soap and water. Follow all your doctor's orders.
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