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 your first laser hair removal deal.
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 color contrast in order to zap follicles), different systems may have improved chances at treating darker skin tones or lighter hair colors. Check to see what GLOJAS uses if you’re concerned about your skin-hair combination not being ideal.
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 skin and hair type; check the Fitzpatrick Skin Type Matrix to see what category you’re in and call GLOJAS in advance to see what they’d recommend.
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 3 days’ worth) in order for the light technology to pick up on the strands.
Since skin color 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 color 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.
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 standard for the area to be red, but this should subside after a few hours or a day.
Additional visits must be scheduled about 4-8 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. Make sure to consult GLOJAS to see what prep work they’ll want you to do.