Laser hair removal on legs: reviews, preparation, how many procedures are needed, hair length, possible consequences

Laser hair removal of legs is a modern and very popular way of removing unnecessary hairs from the skin using laser radiation in a beauty salon or clinic. Patients are in a hurry to use it, eager to achieve smooth skin once and for all. Is this possible in reality? Let's figure it out.

The principle of operation of the laser device

Laser hair removal is based on the absorption of light energy by melanin (the hair color pigment). The created light pulse penetrates deep into the skin and affects the hair follicle, destroying it. Light energy absorbed by melanin heats the hair along its entire length and has a detrimental effect on the hair follicle. After such a procedure, the follicle cannot receive the necessary nutrients and restore the bulb. Result: hair stops growing.

Removing excess hair in this way is most effective for those with dark hair. They are rich in melanin. Dark skin types, as well as tanned skin, do not respond well to laser hair removal, because the light from the beam will scatter throughout the skin layer without reaching the hair roots.

We advise you to pay attention!
The laser hair removal procedure should only be carried out in clinics and salons equipped with special high-quality equipment. Hair removal can only be carried out by well-trained professionals. Having decided to subject yourself to any cosmetological manipulations, check whether the institution has a license to use the appropriate devices. Otherwise, you risk getting at least a bad result, having paid a lot of money. Or acquire health problems, which is much worse.

Safety of laser hair removal

Laser hair removal for hair removal is considered safe and also painless, which is why it has gained great popularity. This method is based on the effect of an intense stream of light beam aimed at destroying the hair roots. The substance melanin is part of the hair follicle; it has the ability to absorb light waves of various lengths that the laser emits. Melanin, which is located in the hair follicle, absorbs energy under the influence of an intense beam of light and becomes very hot, destroying the root. It is completely destroyed and as a result hair regrowth stops.

This method is considered safe and gentle compared to other methods of removing excess hair. Shaving irritates the skin; on the second day the hair grows back and the process must be repeated again. The sugaring procedure, and especially waxing, brings pain when performing it. After the session, there is a risk of skin irritation, inflammatory processes, and ingrown hairs. Laser hair removal has a reputation as a safe and very effective way to eliminate excess hair on all areas of the body. In practice, it has been proven that with qualified use of equipment and careful selection of parameters, no side effects appear after the session.

How does hair grow?

The speed of hair regrowth, its thickness, color, structure are determined by many parameters: gender and race, weight and height characteristics of a person, age group, metabolic rate, state of the endocrine system, use of medications, general well-being of the body, and so on.

There are several stages of hair growth:

active growth;
death of roots;
prolapse (resting stage);
the birth of new hairs;
new regrowth phase.

Thus, the hair on a person’s head can be at different stages of growth at the same time. One part (the largest) grows, the other dies and then falls out, and the third is in an embryonic state.

Conclusion: during laser hair removal, not all hair can be removed at once, but only those that were in the active growth stage at the time of the procedure. After some time, the rest of the hair begins to grow back, and the procedure has to be repeated again. This can continue until the last hair on the body is worn out. How long will it take, how many times will you need to subject yourself to unpleasant, expensive cosmetic procedures? There is no definite answer and cannot be. It all depends on the individual characteristics of each person’s body.

In addition, very often the hair does not disappear completely; in place of the removed thick, hard, dark vegetation, a light, light, sparse fluff grows back, almost imperceptible.

How often should laser hair removal be done for hormonal imbalances?

Hormonal levels directly affect the number of sessions, duration and results of the course. Sometimes hormonal characteristics lead to accelerated hair growth - this point is taken into account when selecting the intervals between procedures.

In case of complex endocrine pathologies accompanied by excessive hair growth, we, unfortunately, cannot guarantee a long-term effect. After 1-2 years, hair may appear again, from new follicles, and everything has to be repeated again. Therefore, we recommend an endocrinological examination and, if necessary, treatment, and only after that we correct the aesthetic problems of excess hair on the body or face.

Types of laser used

Ruby radiation is an outdated and rarely used type of light energy today. Main features: it has an effect only against the background of light skin and dark hairs, does not penetrate deep into the skin. Multiple repetitions of the procedure are required to achieve a noticeable effect.
Alexandrite radiation is a common type of laser used by many modern clinics; epilates much faster and on deeper layers of skin. It is characterized by the greatest safety; this method of hair removal is characterized by a low percentage of complications in the form of burns. It can also remove hairs on dark skin, but the greatest effect is achieved on light skin tones.
Diode radiation – penetrates deeply; This type of laser is capable of destroying hair follicles in the most inaccessible layers of the skin. The negative point is the low speed of hair removal. A tangible plus is a fairly high effect from the procedure.
Neodymium laser light stream is the most modern and successful type of laser. Due to its specific effects, it is suitable for both blondes and brunettes, and can be used on both pale and dark skin. The high effect of the procedure is due to the deep penetration of the beam into the skin. Features of its effect: to stop the access of nutrition to the hair follicle, the beam produces adhesions of vessels transporting nutrients.

Period from course to course

There is no clear answer to this question. The effectiveness of the laser may vary.

There are lucky people who are able to get by with just one course - after that their hair disappears forever.

Otherwise, the body’s reactions can be very different, and accordingly, new unwanted hair will appear at different intervals, even if the procedure was carried out by the same master.

But if the depilation course is carried out correctly, new intervention is rarely required earlier than after 3 years, and more often after 4-5 years.

Pros and cons of laser hair removal

The advantages of removing unwanted hair using laser include the following.

This method is the most effective of all currently existing.
Very low percentage of allergic manifestations after the procedure.
The laser has antibacterial properties and does not cause inflammation of the skin; skin damage is excluded, since the rays are absorbed entirely by melanin without affecting the skin layers.
The laser hair removal procedure is less painful when compared with other methods.
Hair does not grow back for a long time or stops growing altogether.
The symptom of ingrown hairs does not occur.

What are the cons?

Large financial costs are required.
It is difficult to achieve the desired effect for patients with blond hair and dark skin.
There are a number of contraindications for laser hair removal (read about this below).
Removing hair from a large area of the body (such as the legs) takes a long time (about three hours on average).
To achieve maximum effect, you need to take a long course (sometimes up to 10 procedures).
Severe pain is possible in places where hair removal is performed, such as the armpit area and bikini area.

Men's hair removal

13.04.2014 — 23:47

Our laser hair removal center in St. Petersburg offers all men a procedure for quickly removing unwanted hair on the face and body.
For men, laser hair removal has become an excellent solution for excessive hair growth on the back, chest, neck and abdomen. Recently, men have been getting rid of facial hair: laser hair removal is a good alternative to shaving, especially for men prone to skin irritation after shaving. In the past, male hair removal was traditionally associated with competitive swimmers, bodybuilders and dancers whose hair could interfere with their activities. In the modern world, men are increasingly concerned about their appearance and hygiene. Today it is “not comme il faut” for men to walk around with overgrown armpits. By getting rid of hair in these places, it is much easier to solve the problem of unpleasant odor that torments every man. Our center also offers men epilation of the bikini area. In most cases, the question does not arise as to why you need to do intimate hair removal, but if you are in doubt, we will try to give a few reasons.

Women's opinions about male hair removal

In 2011, sexologists conducted one very interesting survey, which involved women who had intimate relationships with two types of men - those who do hair removal (or intimate haircuts) in the penis area, and those who prefer thick hair.

79% of women spoke unequivocally in favor of men taking care of vegetation in the intimate area;

17% of women are indifferent to this issue, i.e. they don't care if men groom themselves;

and only 4% of women prefer naturalness in all its manifestations.

Epilation in the intimate area promotes hygiene

Don't forget about HYGIENE. Since the times of the Ancient Roman Empire, every man respected in society weekly got rid of excess hair in the genital area. These procedures were carried out in public baths and were considered mandatory. Since then, the absence of hair in the intimate area has been considered a sign of cleanliness.

Excessive hairiness in the intimate area, as well as the buttocks and anus, contributes to the formation of an unpleasant odor. By the way, this can interfere with personal relationships, since most girls in such cases refuse oral sex.

Our doctors will help solve these problems delicately and professionally.

You can learn more about the pros and cons of hair removal for men in our article.

When is hair removal contraindicated?

For diabetes mellitus.
If you have a herpes infection.
When a woman is expecting a child or is breastfeeding.
If there is a viral infection in the body.
In case of damage to body cells by oncological tumors.
For varicose veins.
When there are a large number of moles, birthmarks, warts.
If there are injured areas of the skin.
In the presence of an acute allergic process in the body.
In case of disturbances in the functioning of the endocrine system.
During menstruation.

Contraindications and restrictions

Direct contraindications for the use of laser hair removal are painful conditions of the male body associated with:

oncology;
diseases of blood vessels and heart;
diabetes mellitus;
infections with fever;
damage to the skin (in areas where the procedure is planned to be performed).

The diseases, in principle, go away, so the mentioned reasons for refusing laser hair removal can be considered temporary restrictions. As does the presence of a newly acquired tan on the skin.

But naturally dark skin, a large number of permanent tattoos and/or birthmarks (moles), as well as individual intolerance make its use completely impossible.

And, finally, gray, red and simply blond hair will have to be removed without the use of a laser, since the low level of melanin in their follicles will not give the desired destructive effect.
Important!
Trying to use a laser on dark skin may result in burns.

Assurances that the latest laser equipment is capable of not damaging dark skin are still awaiting more solid confirmation. However, the path is not closed to those who want to experience it for themselves.

The aesthetic sense inherent in men sometimes requires no less sacrifice than female beauty. Laser hair removal will help the stronger sex reduce these victims.

Controversial issues

There is no reliable information about whether hair growth stops completely. Some sources may indicate that hair removal is the only sure way to completely remove unnecessary hair once and for all. Others argue that it is impossible to permanently get rid of hair even with such a highly effective procedure. Often after laser hair removal, after a long period of time, small light fluff begins to grow on the treated area, which, in general, should not cause serious cause for concern, since it is almost invisible and does not spoil the beauty of the legs.

In any case, one thing is certain: the expected result will largely depend on the individual characteristics of each person and on the general state of his health. For example, in some people, individual hair follicles can form at a fairly large depth of the skin layers, where even the most modern and powerful laser beam cannot reach. In addition, sometimes hair growth resumes in the same amount even after a short break after hair removal. This may indicate the presence of hormonal problems in the patient.

This fact is also obvious: you will need to spend a lot of time and money to achieve maximum smoothness of your legs.

The following question causes a lot of controversy: what is the degree of pain experienced by the sensations? Based on the feedback from patients who have gone through this trial, it can be judged that there is no clear answer to this question. It all depends on your personal pain threshold. If your level is low, then the procedure will give you many unforgettable experiences, otherwise you may not experience much discomfort. Again, the area where this manipulation is performed matters. The part of the leg above the knees is usually more sensitive to pain than the lower leg.

How often should the procedure be repeated?

One of the questions that people ask when choosing laser hair removal for legs is how many procedures are needed?

After the first intervention, the vegetation will not disappear 100%. Therefore, the master will recommend repeating the procedure in three to eight sessions. This will depend on the type of vegetation and the hormonal background of the body.

The frequency of laser hair removal sessions varies at intervals of one to two months. It is important to remember that shaving your legs after laser hair removal is prohibited. After all, at this time there is a lot of irritation on the skin. After the remaining hair grows back, when time has passed, you can shave it off with gentle movements. As a rule, their number is no more than 10%.

How much does hair removal cost?

The cost of a procedure such as laser hair removal of legs will depend on the following factors:

the status of the institution you plan to contact (the higher the authority of the clinic or salon, the higher the price);
the type of equipment used in the salon to perform the procedure;
Time spent (more precisely, the number of flashes);
specifics of the affected area (face, legs, arms, chest, etc.).

For example, the area of the legs or thighs costs approximately 3,000-15,000 rubles per session. One flash is estimated to cost about 50 rubles. The use of more modern and powerful equipment will cost more.

Features of the procedure

Reviews of laser hair removal of legs report that such services are provided in most cosmetology clinics. You must first make an appointment and discuss with your doctor the advisability of hair removal. The method has some contraindications; not everyone can use it.

Also, reviews of laser hair removal on legs report that a high-quality procedure will be offered only in a reliable cosmetology clinic. To find such an establishment, it is rational to study reviews. You should only choose a clinic with a good reputation.

How is laser hair removal procedure performed?

Preparatory stage.
Hair removal process.
Skin care after hair removal.

The preparatory stage includes measures and actions that are taken by the patient before the procedure.

Long before the planned hair removal (for a period of 2 to 4 months), the patient should refrain from pulling out hairs or otherwise harming the hair follicles. If at least one of them is damaged, the beam will not be able to recognize the hair and act on it.
It is recommended to use sunscreen for several weeks before the laser procedure.
It is necessary to shave or trim the hairs that are to undergo laser treatment a day or two before the procedure. If the hair is longer than 2 mm, it may begin to melt and flare up during irradiation, which can lead to skin injuries.
Exclude alcohol-based cosmetics from personal use (about 5-7 days before hair removal). On the day of the scheduled procedure, you should not use any cosmetics at all.

The process of removing unwanted hair is as follows.

The specialist determines the phototype of the patient’s skin. An individual program of exposure to radiation energy is selected depending on various parameters (skin and hair color, sensitivity to sunlight).
At the client's request, pain relief is provided in the salon.
The procedure is performed on dry and cleansed skin. It is necessary to use special glasses to protect the eyes from radiation. The doctor runs the device over the area with hair; pulses from the beam in the form of flashes penetrate the roots. In the intervals between outbreaks, the skin is cooled with a special effect to create an anesthetic and anti-inflammatory effect.
A significant amount of hair falls out almost immediately, while the rest sometimes lasts for more than a week. Repeated manipulation can be carried out after regrowth of hair that was in the passive growth stage at the time of hair removal.

Skin Care Tips
The skin of the legs that is red and hot to the touch can be treated, on the recommendation of a doctor, with a special product in the form of a cream, ointment or spray.
During the first days, do not wet the treated area of skin.
It is prohibited to use decorative cosmetics.
You can't sunbathe. Be sure to use sun protection.
Warming water procedures (bath, sauna) are contraindicated for 2-3 weeks after laser hair removal.

How to prepare for the procedure

Laser hair removal on legs requires careful preparation. Here are the main recommendations:

Before your first laser hair removal procedure, experts recommend not removing hair from your legs two weeks before your scheduled clinic visit. Cosmetologists believe that under such conditions the maximum effectiveness of the method will be achieved.
It is also not recommended to introduce the use of new cosmetics on the body where you plan to work with laser three weeks in advance. The reason for fulfilling this requirement is the possibility of an allergy to a new cosmetic product. If you have an allergic reaction, the laser hair removal procedure will need to be delayed.
48 hours before such an intervention is carried out, you should not use products that contain alcohol to wipe the skin. This requirement is due to the need to maintain a normal water-fat balance. After all, the dermis after the intervention may become irritated when the legs itch after laser hair removal.
The day before the procedure, you need to shorten your hair if it is too long. Then it will be easier for the laser to work with the follicles, and the effectiveness of the procedure will increase significantly.

These requirements must be met for laser hair removal to be effective and harmless.

A few words about complications

Complications occur due to the fault of an unqualified specialist performing the procedure, or due to the fault of the patient himself, who does not follow the doctor’s recommendations.

Burns are possible when a doctor makes mistakes or when using low-quality equipment.
The hair follicle may become inflamed if the patient suffers from excessive sweating. Going to the bathhouse or sauna for the first time after the procedure is also fraught with this complication.
Allergies usually arise from the patient's sensitivity to the components of the anesthetic or cooling gas.
An exacerbation of herpes infection is possible if the patient’s body’s immunity is weak.
The appearance of age spots on the skin in the first days after hair removal. This happens when you ignore or do not fully comply with your doctor’s recommendations to protect your skin from sunburn.

What complications does hair removal pose?

Irritation after laser hair removal on the legs is one of the possible complications. Also, sometimes there is the appearance of pigment spots, which occur when the client has a frivolous attitude towards basic body care rules after the session.

If light burns occur on sensitive skin after the procedure, the problem can be solved by using drugs that have a regenerating effect. For example, you can use panthenol. It is good for soothing and restoring the upper layers of the dermis.

In case of irritation, it is recommended to apply a soothing and healing cream.

Some patients note that after the procedure their legs are covered with scars. The reason for this is the impatience of clients who tear off the scabs on the epilated areas. This is strictly prohibited, since the surface of a thin layer of dead epidermis should dry out and fall off by itself, without outside intervention. But when a problem occurs, the skin must have time to recover.

Another complication is that the menstrual cycle is disrupted. In such a situation, it is recommended to visit a gynecologist.

Depilation

Depilation is also used to remove body hair. It is often confused with hair removal. What is the difference here? This method involves superficial destruction of hair (for example, shaving, using depilatory cream) without damaging the hair bulb and follicle; or pulling out the hair along with the bulb, but without destroying the follicle (for example, plucking with tweezers or waxing). Depilation gives a short-term effect, after which the hair grows back in the same amount or becomes thicker and coarser. Weigh the pros and cons before agreeing to laser hair removal on your legs. Carefully choose the clinic and specialist to whom you are going to entrust your health. Perhaps you will still be satisfied with alternative ways to fight for smooth legs.

We recommend reading the article about the benefits of sugar hair removal

Does anything else affect the number of sessions?

genetically determined intensity of hair growth;
skin phototype, structure, hair color;
laser hair removal area;
proper care after laser hair removal;
equipment characteristics.

To permanently remove dark, coarse hair on fair skin, it will take fewer sessions than to remove light, brown hair or “fuzz”. Much depends on the equipment. A cosmetologist must know the range of indications for the laser, how to set it correctly depending on the skin phototype and hair color.

The area of influence also affects how often laser hair removal is done - the bikini area, back, arms, legs, face require different frequency and number of procedures due to hormonal characteristics and different hair structure.

There is a categorical rule in care after laser hair removal - do not pluck hairs with tweezers, do not “help” them fall out. This can nullify the entire effect, since by touching the bulb, we again stimulate its regeneration - instead of dying off, new hair will appear after a while, and we will have to repeat the procedure. It is equally important to comply with deadlines - a time shift in any direction reduces the effectiveness of the procedures.

In our salon, we use the latest generation Estetica system - with it, specialists successfully solve hair problems on the body and face, regardless of their color and contrast with the skin. We will personally select the intervals between procedures for you in order to achieve complete hair removal in a minimum number of sessions.

How many times should the procedure be performed

The laser beam affects the melanin of the hair, so it must be in the growth stage. Only a third of all hair follicles are in this state at a time. Therefore, in one session only part of the entire vegetation is removed, and only a small one.

As the following elements become active, the manipulation to destroy them will have to be repeated. How many laser hair removal sessions are needed depends on many factors:

hair structure;
growth characteristics;
condition of follicles and skin;
places where hair removal is performed;
hormonal characteristics.

Even the most experienced master will not be able to determine the duration of the course in advance.
How many sessions are needed usually becomes clear after 2-4 procedures. There are average indicators for the number of sessions depending on the location of hair removal, which you should focus on in order to be patient and prepare the required amount:

face – 4-5;
belly – 4-6;
hips – 5-6;
bikini zone – 4-8;
lower legs – 5-10.

Growth occurs differently in different parts of the body. But it depends even more on individual characteristics.

The session duration is usually:

bikini area – 20 minutes;
deep bikini – 30-40;
legs – 30-40 minutes.

The duration depends on the thickness of the hair.

The hair on the legs of some women hardly grows, while for others it is a real problem. Therefore, it is difficult to determine in advance how many laser hair removal procedures are needed to completely remove hair.

During a consultation with a cosmetologist, an individual hair removal schedule is drawn up, which is adjusted after each subsequent session. After the procedure, the skin should recover and the growth of further hairs should be activated. This usually takes 4-6 weeks. This period of time is necessary between sessions.

The process cannot be accelerated, since hair renewal occurs naturally and depends on the body. In 2 weeks, the skin is completely restored, the second session is without problems.

Will it be possible to get rid of it forever?

It is impossible to get rid of hair forever. The procedure ensures that no vegetation will appear for a year. Growth usually stops for 4-6 years. The vegetation that emerges is usually thinner and weaker. The laser method allows you to remove hair for a significant period, as well as weaken subsequent growth.

To fully take advantage of the advantages of the technique, you must complete the full course prescribed by a specialist. In the future, you should visit the salon once a year to remove any remaining active follicles.

For your information. The laser works well against ingrown and weakened hairs that may appear after other depilation methods.