How does laser hair removal work?
The epilator targets hair follicles with a laser beam. It burns the hair root, causing it to fall out after a few days. The device recognizes hair due to the difference between its color and skin color. It is not possible to completely get rid of hair using a laser, since the epilator recognizes and burns hairs at a certain stage of development due to different wavelengths of the light pulse.
If the hair is in the early stages of development, it will not be possible to remove it. Therefore, to get absolutely smooth skin, you need to prepare for several sessions. Some types of hair cannot be removed at all using this method. The device is effective only when the hair color contrasts with the skin color. Maximum results can be achieved only when the hair is dark and the skin is light. If the hair is light or too thin, in the form of a fluff, it will not be possible to get rid of it using a laser.
Laser hair removal
Hair removal procedure
Laser hair removal of the armpits begins with a preliminary conversation between the patient and a cosmetologist, he will determine the skin phototype and check for contraindications. This is necessary to correctly configure the device taking into account hair color and sensitivity to the sun. It will also determine how many sessions should be counted. Medical centers conduct special tests to determine the skin's reaction to the laser.
Depending on the client's pain threshold, the level of anesthesia is selected. Local anesthesia with cooling gels and creams is usually used. They are applied to the working area 60 minutes before the procedure.
Those attending the safety session wear glasses. The skin should be clean and dry.
The cosmetologist smoothly brings the device to the armpit. Special laser impulses are generated that prevent inflammation and relieve pain.
The client does not have to stand during the laser operation; he sits in a comfortable chair or on a couch. The procedure is considered painless in 90% of cases. It is usually accompanied by a slight tingling or burning sensation that does not cause much discomfort.
Most hairs fall off immediately after the laser, but single hairs may remain for another week. Repeated hair removal is prescribed as the intact hair grows back.
Preparing for laser hair removal
Types of laser hair removal
You won’t be able to spontaneously go to the salon and get laser hair removal; it is important to go through a long preparation stage, which usually takes more than one week.
Important! You should start preparing only after visiting a salon, where a cosmetologist will determine your skin and hair type, point out contraindications and draw up a list of recommendations.
How to prepare for laser hair removal most competently depends on the period before the procedure.
6 weeks before laser hair removal
The healthier the hair, the easier it is to remove it with a laser. Therefore, you need to stop using any products that affect the root, as well as bleaching agents, for a month and a half.
In 4 weeks
Before visiting the salon, you should avoid tanning the treated areas for a month. Even the slightest tan negatively affects the effectiveness of the procedure. The sun's rays make the skin darker and the hair lighter, which causes the necessary contrast to be lost. Because of this, summer is considered the worst period for laser hair removal. It is better to visit the salon in the autumn-winter period. Naturally, you should also avoid using a solarium. Exposing tanned skin to a laser can cause burns.
One month before the procedure, you should stop tanning.
In 2-3 weeks
At this time, you should not carry out any cosmetic procedures related to hair removal. If the hair is removed but the bulb remains, the laser device will not be able to recognize it. Only a razor can be used.
In 2 weeks
For 2 weeks you need to give up various creams, lotions and self-tanners that change the tone of the epithelium. They, like natural tanning, negatively affect the results of hair removal.
In 1 week
Seven days before the procedure, you should avoid most cosmetic products. Most of the ingredients included in creams, lotions and scrubs have a destructive effect on the integrity of the skin and can cause irritation.
Be sure to exclude products that include vitamin A, salicylic acid and benzene peroxide. Moreover, they cannot be used not only before the procedure, but also for at least 7 days after hair removal. You should grow your hair to a length of several millimeters.
A week before the procedure, you should grow your hair up to three millimeters.
In 1 day
Before the laser hair removal procedure, you must shave your hair. This will have to be done in any case, so it is better to take care of this in advance. One day is enough for the skin to calm down after irritation.
Note! You should use high-quality shaving products that do not irritate the skin, as well as new razors, since previously used blades can introduce bacteria into the irritated area.
If you plan to perform hair removal at home using a portable epilator, you need to ensure that you have the necessary accessories (safety glasses, numbing cream and sedative for post-treatment). The use of safety glasses is mandatory, since the light pulse from the device can damage the retina of the eye. If the manufacturer has not included glasses in the kit, you should buy new ones. The glasses should fit tightly to the face so that there are no loose areas. In salons, safety glasses are mandatory.
A few hours before the procedure
On the day of the procedure, you need to wear clothes made from natural fabrics; preference should be given to loose-fitting ones. This is necessary so that the tissue does not irritate the skin after the procedure. You should also treat the desired area with a soothing cream.
After sleep, you should take a shower to thoroughly cleanse your skin; you should not use any moisturizers. Depending on the area being treated, be it the face, armpits or other areas, it is worth giving up cosmetics, deodorants and other cosmetics. You should avoid caffeine-containing drinks, as they increase sensitivity to pain.
You should avoid caffeinated drinks
1 hour before the procedure
It is recommended to take a painkiller tablet. This will help make the procedure easier. If you plan to epilate sensitive areas, it is better to take two tablets. Instead of tablets, you can use pain-relieving creams based on lidocaine, which should be applied 20 minutes before the procedure.
Possible consequences and harm of laser hair removal of the bikini area
One of the most troubling questions for clients who decide to undergo laser hair removal, as well as any other cosmetic procedure, is the presence of consequences after it. But the answer is quite simple: with a responsible approach and proper preparation before visiting a cosmetologist, no consequences will arise. That is, if you have taken into account all the recommendations and correctly stated the absence of contraindications, then you have nothing to fear! Serious consequences, such as the appearance of malignant tumors, have not been established throughout the world. And if burns occur on the skin, then this is an exception to the rule, the cause of which may be the following:
- insufficient cooling of the treated area;
- the presence of residues of cosmetic oils or creams on the skin;
- incorrectly selected laser beam power;
- undiagnosed skin sensitivity to laser;
- hair length is too long. In this case, the burnt hair falls on the skin and leaves a burn in the form of a stripe;
- visiting a sauna, steam bath before laser hair removal;
- the appearance of pigmentation after tanning.
Based on this, we can conclude that contraindications and consequences are related to each other. And if you follow all the recommendations, the procedure will be absolutely safe and effective. Moreover, laser treatment is considered a gentle procedure, ideal for sensitive skin. In this case, the laser affects only the hair follicles without damaging the epidermis.
Features of skin preparation for different areas of the body
Laser hair removal device
Each individual area of the skin has some characteristics that should be taken into account when preparing for depilation.
Preparation for laser hair removal of all types of bikinis
Intensive preparation should begin 3 days in advance by performing an exfoliation procedure. For shaving, it is recommended to use products that do not contain alcohol. You should shave carefully, using a mirror, it is important not to cut yourself or leave extra hairs. After shaving, clean the bikini area from any remaining foam and apply a moisturizing lotion.
Laser hair removal of the bikini area
Preparing for laser hair removal of armpits
The armpits must be clean, but deodorant must not be used. It is better to prepare the axillary area using an alcohol-free disinfectant wipe.
Preparing for laser hair removal on the face
Two weeks before hair removal on the face, upper and lower lips, you need to avoid deep peeling and cleansing masks. You should not apply makeup for a few days.
Laser hair removal on the face
Preparing for laser hair removal of legs and arms
There is no need to use anti-cellulite creams, visit a massage parlor, and you should also make sure that there are no bruises on your legs.
Contraindications
The laser has a powerful effect on the skin and hair, as well as on the body as a whole. That is why it is performed only by a doctor using special equipment. Before the procedure, a preparatory meeting is required, at which the cosmetologist will write down all the features of the body in the medical record. And there may be many reasons why the procedure will have to be canceled or postponed for a while. This:
- autoimmune diseases (systemic lupus erythematosus, psoriasis, rheumatoid arthritis) are conditions in which a person’s immune system works against its own cells and tissues, destroying them. Any heat or light exposure can cause a sharp exacerbation and then hormonal therapy will be required;
- diabetes mellitus, insulin dependent - occurs with a violation of local blood circulation and immunity, damage may remain on the skin;
- cancer or predisposition to it;
- blond, red or gray hair, the procedure is pointless, the laser will have nothing to “catch onto”;
- inflamed, damaged skin in the area of intended hair removal, pustular or allergic lesions, cuts, scratches;
- moles, especially in large numbers, should be checked for good quality, since powerful light exposure can cause their growth;
- scars and keloids in the hair removal area - after the laser they can begin to grow and become deformed;
- varicose veins of the lower extremities, thrombophlebitis;
- age up to 18 years, since the hormonal maturation of the body is not complete;
- pregnancy and lactation - the impact on them can be very different, no studies have been conducted, so such risks must be excluded;
- colds, acute respiratory viral infections in the acute phase - the immune system weakens and can cause complications during the procedure;
Skin care after laser hair removal
Care after the procedure is no less important than preliminary preparation. It is necessary to follow all the recommendations of the cosmetologist, and then you will be able to return to normal life much faster.
In the first hours after the laser
Laser hair removal for armpits
The skin needs to be cooled, it is better to do this with ice. For severe pain, you can take one painkiller tablet. There is no need to scratch the treated area; if the damage is severe, do not treat it with a soothing cream.
1 day later
Important! You should not take a hot bath or shower for 24 hours.
2 days later
After two days, you can use perfume and deodorant, apply creams. Do not overload your body with intense exercise.
Only after two days can you use perfume and deodorant, apply creams
3 days later
No need to go to the pool or wear clothes made of hard fabrics.
1 week after laser hair removal
There is no need to stay in the sun for a long time, as the skin is too sensitive to the sun's rays. You cannot remove hair on your own; it will gradually fall out on its own.
After 2 weeks
During this period, all dead hair will fall out, you can start using a scrub that does not contain acids.
After 3 weeks
You should apply sunscreen for 3 weeks.
You must apply sunscreen for a month
Preparatory procedures
Preparations for laser hair removal begin in advance. It is better to carry out the procedure in the cold season, since burns may remain on tanned skin after the laser action.
Within two months, stop plucking hairs with tweezers and using an epilator. Such actions can injure the hair follicles.
Cosmetologists advise starting to use sunscreen 30 days before the procedure. This is due to the fact that hair removal is not carried out on dark skin, for the same reason you will have to abandon the solarium.
14 days before the laser procedure, stop using medications containing tetracycline antibiotics.
To avoid microburns, especially long hair can be cut before performing the procedure. Regrown hairs should not exceed 2 ml. Careful hair removal will not affect the effectiveness of the laser.
7 days before the session it is forbidden to use cosmetics with alcohol, and the day before - deodorants and other products. During the consultation before the procedure, the cosmetologist determines the skin phototype in order to correctly determine the time of laser exposure and the strength of the flash. The laser method is useless for gray hair.
Precautions when using laser hair removal
In some cases, attending a laser hair removal procedure is not recommended. If there is a need to perform it, it is worth observing certain precautions.
Laser hair removal during pregnancy
Important! During pregnancy, depilation can cause harm to the skin, which is associated with hormonal imbalance. Even if a woman decides to undergo such a procedure, it should be done before the 6th month of pregnancy.
Frequently asked questions and answers
Is it possible to perform laser hair removal in the axillary area while taking hormonal medications?
In rare cases, hormonal fluctuations can reduce the effectiveness of the procedure. But taking such drugs is not a contraindication.
Is it allowed to visit the gym and swimming pool after epilation in the armpits?
Immediately after completion of the procedure (especially the first one), visiting the gym is not recommended, but the very next day you can return to training. A swimming pool with water containing chlorine cannot be visited for three days.
Is deodorant contraindicated after laser hair removal?
The use of deodorant is acceptable, with the exception of the day before the session and the same period after it.
Possible complications
- Burns to the epilation area occur when the skin is not cooled sufficiently during the procedure. This can happen when using outdated equipment or when a cosmetologist violates the hair removal technique. For prevention, it is necessary to additionally apply ice after the procedure.
- Scars or the growth of keloid tissue - occurs when a person has an individual tendency to increased growth of connective tissue.
- Folliculitis - inflammation of the hair follicles themselves - can occur in response to attempts to pull out burnt hairs or when visiting a bathhouse/sauna/swimming pool in the first days after the procedure. And also when playing active sports.
- A rash of herpetic blisters is how the body reacts to skin damage in some people. To prevent this, you need to take an antiviral drug the day before the procedure.
- Pigmentation disorders: (hypopigmentation of skin and hair - hairs may not fall out, but turn gray, light spots appear on the skin; skin hyperpigmentation - long-term darkening of the affected area, as with a strong tan)
- An allergic reaction at the site of exposure most often occurs due to the use of local anesthetics (Lidocaine).
- Conjunctivitis, eye damage with retinal detachment - can occur when removing facial hair without following safety precautions. The eyes should be covered with tight-fitting special glasses. The beam is not directed towards the eyes.
- Bruises, bruises, spider veins - occur when blood vessels are fragile or have a blood clotting disorder. If there is such a tendency, start taking Ascorutin a week before hair removal and finish a week after it.
What to do before the procedure (video):
Experience and advice (video):
10 main questions about laser hair removal (video):
So, in the absence of individual contraindications, if carried out correctly and following the rules of care, laser hair removal techniques can give you the desired smooth skin for a very long time. After about 5-6 years, additional sessions may be needed, but even then the number of hairs will no longer be the same. The process is long and not cheap, but it's worth it!
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