Laser Hair Removal: 13 Things You Need to Know Before Having the Treatment

If you shave or wax regularly, you’ve probably wondered whether laser hair removal treatment would be a good investment.

You know that the process involves zapping hair with laser light, but you might not learn the basics about how to prepare, who can have it done, how often you need sessions, and the cost.

1) The procedure is not painful

Although it may feel a bit uncomfortable, laser hair removal does not cause a great deal of pain. There may be slight stinging sensations, especially on more sensitive areas like the underarms, face, bikini line, or neck.

So, don’t be scared of treatment just because the lasers sound scary and painful; they are not!

2) Age and skin tone don’t matter

The laser targets melanin in hair, which is the pigment that gives your hair and skin color. So, it doesn’t matter what color your skin or hair is.

Older laser technology had a problem with skin pigmentation, but now the laser is able to recognize and avoid darker skin cells and pass over them without damaging them.

3) The price

Laser hair treatment is not as cheap as buying a razor and shaving cream, but that doesn’t mean it is not a good investment.

Think about how many razors and cans of shaving cream that you have bought in your entire life. It might sound cheap to only spend $10 on some disposable razors and a can of shaving cream, but when you shave every day, this can add up.

On the other hand, laser treatment is something you only have to purchase for a short amount of time, with long-lasting results! Plus, DermaMode offers the best laser hair removal cost in Montreal. Reach out today for the best laser hair removal deals in Montreal, including a 15% off offer when you register for our email list!

4) Laser hair removal is suitable for all genders

There may be some stigma around hair removals like shaving, waxing, and laser hair removal, but people of all genders can enjoy hair removal benefits! One laser specialist says that 40% of his clients are men!

Don’t let the stigma fool you: laser hair removal is for everyone and works on any body part.

5) Know how to prepare the area

It is advisable to shave (wax or tweeze!) the area you’re getting treated two days before because the laser can cause any hair follicles above the surface of the skin to burn and smoke. You must do this 24 hours prior to the treatment.

Additionally, there should be no lotion, self-tanner, or makeup on the area that is going to be treated, as this will prevent the laser from penetrating through and targeting the follicles properly. See more info here!

6) Stay inside

Before your treatment, you will need to stay out of sunlight as much as possible. This means no tanning beds, no sun, period.

The laser light emitted from the machine is very powerful; therefore, you need to make sure that your skin isn’t exposed to any sunlight or UV for 24 hours following treatment. This means no sunny strolls after treatment, but it is worth it when you consider all the benefits!

7) Patience is key

Laser hair removal can be quicker than shaving, but you will need to make sure that you come in for your sessions as recommended.

Typically, people need six to eight sessions before they see their desired results.

It is crucial to keep up with the schedule and not skip any appointments!

8) The results are long-lasting

Depending on the type of laser hair removal, laser specialists can usually give you a close estimate of how many sessions you will need to get rid of your unwanted hair. According to dermatologists, laser hair removal removes about 20% of hair with each treatment!

Over time, this means that you will see as much as a 90% permanent reduction! And even the hairs that do come back grow in much finer and lighter than they were before.

9) Treatment does not take long

A laser hair removal session can take between 15 minutes to 30 minutes.

Depending on the size of the area being treated, you should plan for 15-30 minutes per session.

10) Stay away from warm environments

It is also recommended to avoid saunas, jacuzzis, and steam rooms for 12 hours after your treatment. Engaging in these activities puts yourself at risk of growing bacteria and getting an infection in your newly hairless skin!

This also means that you should stay away from the gym and other intense exercises because the sweat build-up might lead to skin irritation.

11) You can’t shave, wax, or tweezer during treatment

Again, it is crucial that you don’t shave for 48 hours before laser hair removal because this could result in severe skin damage. After your first session, you can do normal shaving again! However, the best way to maintain smooth skin is to schedule your follow-up appointments regularly.

12) Watch out for side effects

As with anything medical, laser hair removal has some minor risks associated with it. Thankfully, this procedure does not require any invasive methods like incisions or stitches. The most common side effect is redness immediately following treatment, which usually goes away after a few hours.

Other possible side effects include swelling, bruising, itching, and burns. These are uncommon but still worth being aware of!

13) You can have multiple body parts done at once!

Of course, you should always discuss what you’re interested in having treated with your laser specialist, but there is no point in having multiple sessions if you could get it all done at once.

Conclusion

Now that you know these things, go give some laser hair removal a try! Whether it’s on the underarm, the bikini area, legs, back, face… it doesn’t matter where you want to get rid of unwanted hair for good.