Laser Hair Removal — Your 2022 Complete Guide
Woman Lying in Bed with Coffee Enjoying the Effects of Laser Hair Removal
Shortcuts
1. What is Laser Hair Removal, and How Does it Work?
2. Benefits of Laser Hair Removal
3. Potential Risks of Laser Hair Removal
4. Cost Analysis of Laser Hair Removal
5. Frequently Asked Questions About Laser Hair Removal
If getting rid of body hair is your thing, you have a wide variety of short-term alternatives available. There is the traditional, speedy (but temporary) old-school razor that forms ingrown hairs and little red bumps, also known as razor burn. Then, you have depilatory creams (which typically smell like rotten eggs, if we're being honest). Lastly, you have some slightly more long-term approaches like waxing (no pain-free picnic) and its sister technique, sugaring.
On the flip side, there's electrolysis, where a teeny-tiny wire is inserted into the hair follicle resting under the skin's surface. The hair root is destroyed when an electric current passes down the wire to the bottom of the follicle (You're right if you think it's painful). For a while, just imagine removing each hair on your body one by one. Not only is it painful, but it takes a very long time to finish.
And that brings us to laser hair removal, one of the most commonly sought-after cosmetic procedures in the United States and worldwide that pays its dividends in the long run. You can cut down on the time you spend shaving in the shower, avoid waxing visits (which can be excruciating), and never have to worry about forgetting to shave for the umpteenth day in a row when you raise your arms to do overhead presses again. Simply put, you won't have to shave (for the most part) for the rest of your life.
What is Laser Hair Removal, and How Does it Work?
Laser hair removal is a popular treatment that damages the hair follicles to reduce the amount of hair growth. Surprisingly, the treatment's zaps are barely noticeable, often characterized as a warm pinprick or a cold sensation from the cooling device or gel. To start off, the laser concentrates on the melanin (a substance in the body that produces eye, hair, and skin pigmentation) in hair follicles—destroying the hair all the way down to the root, creating damage that hinders future hair growth.
Benefits of Laser Hair Removal
A few years back, waxing replaced depilatory methods such as shaving and tweezing. However, today, even the sticky substance that was often regarded as the safest has been rendered obsolete by laser hair removal, the most cutting-edge technology to hit the market. As we'll see in the next section, laser removal comes with various benefits in contrast to the other ways of hair removal.
Several medical establishments in the United States and around the world are embracing this semi-permanent hair removal approach, and one such facility is The Botox Lady, which employs a group of specialists with more than a decade of combined expertise in providing cosmetic treatments, including laser hair removal. So, before you take the plunge, here's what makes laser hair removal a hit.
Fuzz-Free Skin
Low Maintenance
Long-Term Savings
Minimal Side Effects
Eliminates Ingrown Hair
Non-Invasive (Faster Recovery)
Body Odor Reduction
Fast, Precise, Effective
Potential Risks
Laser hair removal is a semi-permanent treatment, which means some of the hair may be resistant to the effects of the laser and grow back after the session; however, the newly grown hair may be thinner and lighter in color. Swelling around the hair follicles, skin redness, temporary pigment changes (mainly in people with darker skin), and mild irritation (result in crusting, scarring, blistering, or changes in skin texture) are all possible side effects of laser hair removal.
Awesome IPL Therapy Before and After Photos!
Cost Analysis
By now, you are already aware that laser hair removal has one significant advantage over other methods of removing hair, such as shaving, waxing, and plucking: after you have finished an entire treatment cycle, you will be able to enjoy silky, hair-free skin with absolutely zero monthly maintenance. Are you curious as to just how much money you stand to save if you choose to invest in permanent laser hair removal? Here's a cost analysis to make things clear for you.
The answer depends on various considerations. What is your go-to approach for getting rid of unwanted hair? How often do you engage in this activity, and how much does it set you back every month? Also, how much time do you spend every week removing unwanted hair?
Suppose you shave weekly using a razor blade that costs $5. In that case, you may spend $240 alone over an entire year. However, if the cost of razor blades remains the same, you might shell out $2,400 per decade, which works up to more than $10,000 over a typical lifespan. On the other hand, if you're a guy spending an average of $60 per month on waxing services to keep your back smooth and hair-free, you may spend a total of $720 per year, which comes to approximately $7,200 over a decade.
Take a close look at the additional expenditures you incur each time you remove your hair and analyze how much you spend on regular hair removal. There is a good chance that you will shell out at least $10,000—or a whole lot more—over the course of your lifetime.
Frequently Asked Questions
Whether you're looking for laser hair removal or other cosmetic treatments, finding a reputable practitioner is the first step. Nevertheless, even with all your ducks in a row, you might not know which option you should go for. Whether you decide to get it done from The Botox Lady (Voted Fort Lauderdale's "Best Medical Spa" for two straight years in a row) or not, read on to find the answers to your questions regarding laser hair removal.
What to Expect During Laser Hair Removal?
As previously discussed, IPL is a kind of light treatment in which the light is converted into heat, which then targets the deeper layers of skin to break up the blood cells and pigmentation responsible for skin discoloration. As the treated region heals, your skin will produce healthy elastin and collagen, returning to its natural state and giving you the illusion of younger-looking skin. Here's what to expect regarding healing and recovery post-IPL PhotoFacial.
What Are Laser Hair Removal Prices?
Various variables determine the cost of laser hair removal, i.e., body region treated, geographical location, the competence of the individual doing the operation, and the time it takes to complete the process.
The cost of an individual session may vary anywhere from $100 to $800, as a rule of thumb. According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, when no additional expenses linked to the procedure were considered, the average laser hair removal cost in 2020 was $389.
Is Laser Hair Removal Permanent?
While lasers might cause harm to hair follicles, it is impossible to eradicate them. After some time, the treated follicles could recover from the damage and start growing hair again. The new hair is often thinner and blonder in tone; therefore, maintenance sessions may be required for long-term results. Most patients claim that the effects of hair removal continue for many months and sometimes even years, which means you won't have to shave (for the most part) for the rest of your life.
How to Prepare for Laser Hair Removal?
Removing undesired hair with a laser involves more than just "zapping" the hair. Before the treatment, refrain from plucking, waxing, shaving, or electrolysis for at least six weeks. This is because the laser targets the hair follicles, parts of the hair temporarily destroyed during the previous removal. In addition, stay out of the sun for six weeks before and after treatment. Sun exposure reduces the efficacy of laser treatment and makes way for potential risks and complications.
Will Laser Hair Removal Affect Tattoos?
The pigment inside the hair follicle, located deep beneath the layers of the skin, is what the laser is drawn to. When laser hair removal is done over a tattoo, the laser cannot differentiate between the pigment in the hair follicles or ink; as a result, it can potentially cause the tattoo's stain to spread. In rare cases, it may also cause the tattoo's color to become less vibrant. However, if you want to get rid of the tattoo, opt for Spectrum Q-Switched Yag (Laser Tattoo Removal).
Which Laser Hair Removal is Best?
With the market flooded with various laser machines, the Spectrum Laser/IPL System by Rohrer Aesthetics, Inc. is considered the most effective Laser/IPL system for use in shared environments or by medical professionals with many offices. The Spectrum is a multi-platform workstation that comes equipped with a total of 4 lasers in addition to an IPL and can be broken down into two components very quickly and simply.
How Many Sessions Are Usually Required?
Every person has unique skin, and the number of sessions required to remove unwanted hair permanently might vary depending on various physiological aspects. An average patient typically needs between two and six laser sessions to achieve permanent hair removal. After the initial treatment, you may notice a ten to twenty-five percent decrease in the amount of hair on the targeted regions. But once you're done with all the sessions, the laser will leave you silky smooth skin.
What Areas Can Be Treated With Laser Hair Removal?
Laser hair removal may be performed on nearly any body part. A laser system like the Spectrum Laser/IPL System by Rohrer Aesthetics, Inc. can be used to customize a treatment for even the most delicate areas of the body, such as the bikini line and upper lips. This implies that you only need one treatment method to eliminate all the unwanted hair on your body, regardless of where it is grown. The most popular treatment areas for laser hair removal include the legs, back, underarms, and face.
How Laser Hair Removal Will Save You Money in the Long Run?
Various hair removal lasers may be utilized in the comfort of one's home, causing a slight hair loss. However, no large-scale studies have been conducted to evaluate the efficacy of these devices to that of laser hair removal performed by a medical practitioner or aesthetician. Since the United States, Food and Drug Administration deems these home laser hair removal devices to be cosmetic rather than medicinal, they are not subject to the same level of scrutiny as other medical equipment.
Is Laser Hair Removal Safe for All Skin Tone?
The secret lies in technology. Since the laser is drawn to the melanin in hair follicles, the treatment is most effective on a person with dark, rough hair and pale skin. The contrast between the two gives the laser a greater opportunity to target the hair follicles. Despite this, Spectrum Laser/IPL System by Rohrer Aesthetics, Inc. is effective on all shades and varieties of skin and almost every kind of hair.
Head to The Botox Lady in Fort Lauderdale to experience this cutting-edge technology.
The Botox Lady Conclusion
Although laser hair removal has been around for quite some time in modern aesthetics, it remains one of the most sought-after cosmetic procedures in the United States. Still, many individuals shy away from it due to its cost, complexity, or even technology. While laser hair removal does not remove hair altogether but significantly reduces hair growth—to the point that many patients won't notice any new hair for months or even years, and the hairs that crop up are often thinner.
Considering that the treatment is readily available, you should be careful with choosing clinics with verified practitioners and aestheticians. If you are in Fort Lauderdale, Try us.
Laser Hair Removal @ the Botox Lady
At The Botox Lady Medical Spa (Voted Fort Lauderdale's "Best Medical Spa" for straight two years in a row), our team of medical aestheticians, practitioners, and physician's assistants are prepared to develop an individualized treatment strategy to help you achieve the cosmetic outcomes you want. Interested in learning more about our laser hair removal procedure? You're more than welcome to come in for a free consultation. Can't wait to see you!
