The age-old trend of having soft, smooth and hairless skin has had many people resorting to painful traditional hair removals techniques like waxing, plucking and shaving. However, a lot has changed ever since laser hair removal came into existence.
It's not unusual for anything that's new and popular to be plagued by doubts and baseless rumours, and laser hair removal is no exception. To help you make an informed decision, we are unearthing the truth behind the silliest myths about laser hair removal. Let’s get straight to the task.
Laser Hair Removal: A Quick Intro
Laser hair removal is a procedure that uses high-beam lasers to target and destroy hair follicles. It is an effective, quick, non-invasive, and safe alternative to those painful conventional methods that have been practised for years.
Laser hair removal is a medical procedure done only by certified and trained professionals. During the process, a concentrated laser beam is directed at the hair follicles in the area where the hair is to be removed. The laser light is absorbed by melanin, a pigment in the hair. When converted into heat energy, the light energy damages the hair follicles and renders them weak. In due course of time, the damage delays hair growth and eventually inhibits it.
Laser hair removal is a great option to eliminate hair from the arms, legs, underarms, bikini area, upper lip, chin, and elsewhere except the eyelids and the eyebrows. Even though laser hair removal offers so many benefits, some people still hesitate to undergo the procedure because of some misconceptions.
It's time to dispel those myths and expose the truth.
Do Not Believe These 8 Myths About Laser Hair Removal
Myth 1: Laser hair removal gives you instant results.
Not at all. You will not lose all your unwanted hair after a single laser therapy session. It takes multiple sessions to damage the hair follicles and inhibit hair growth because each strand goes through a staggered, three-part life cycle. The laser beam can only damage hair follicles in the growth stage. Not all follicles are in this stage during the sessions. That is why multiple sessions are required to achieve the desired results.
Myth 2: Laser hair removal gives temporary results.
Laser hair removal is permanent because the destruction of hair follicles is irreversible. The follicle loses its ability to grow hair once it is completely destroyed, even though it may take multiple sessions to stop hair regrowth. Until then, the hair that grows will be much finer than what it was prior to the treatment. However, some women may experience hair regrowth due to hormonal changes in their bodies. You can determine whether permanent results are possible during your consultation with your dermatologist.
Myth 3: Laser hair removal has risks like radiation exposure and burns.
Absolutely not. There is no radiation associated with laser hair removal, even though laser light penetrates the skin at specific wavelengths. In fact, compared to most modern medical lasers, regular sunlight contains more radiation that triggers cancer. Likewise, the chances of burns are almost nil when experts handle the procedure. The after-effects of a laser session are limited to temporary and mild swelling and redness.
It is essential to understand that all modern lasers are based on Harvard medical school’s selective photo hemolysis theory. According to this theory, lasers search and destroy only the intended target. This precision makes it possible to remove even complicated birthmarks located in abnormal blood vessels and broken veins. There is no doubt that lasers are safe and precise in their operation. It is also important to rely only on experienced and certified professionals to do the job.
Myth 4: Anyone can perform laser hair removal treatment.
NO, DEFINITELY NOT. Laser hair removal is not a random cosmetic procedure. Only the right expert can achieve the desired results with the fewest possible sessions. Hence, we cannot emphasise enough the importance of selecting a licensed expert who is well-trained and well-versed in this technique.
Myth 5: Laser hair removal is very expensive.
Laser hair removal is a one-time investment that costs far less than what you would spend on traditional hair removal processes in your lifetime. Waxing, threading, and plucking are not only painful but also tedious and recurring. Hence, investing in laser hair removal and permanently getting rid of unwanted hair in a few sessions makes more sense.
Myth 6: The after-effects take a long time to heal.
The fact is just the opposite. Laser hair removal requires no downtime. Right after a session, your skin will be sensitive and red. However, these effects do not last for more than a day. In the same context, it is vital to follow the post-treatment guidelines and stay away from harsh sunlight to allow your skin to heal for a day or two, after which you can resume your normal routine.
Myth 7: The treatment is painful.
Before commencing a laser hair removal treatment, your doctor will have a detailed discussion to draft a customised plan based on your skin type. The purpose is to minimise the risks of burns, scars and other serious side effects. During the process, you may experience discomfort, which is more of a tingling or stinging sensation than pain. Most patients can tolerate this discomfort until the end of the session. Moreover, your doctor will prescribe cooling agents relieve skin irritation post-session.
Myth 8: Lasers thin the skin.
No. It’s quite the opposite. Laser treatments thicken the skin. Here’s why and how: The laser’s gentle and controlled heat induces new collagen and elastic formation on your skin. Essentially, the older, damaged skin tissue is replaced with new, fresher-looking, wrinkle-free, plumper skin. That said, many of these results depend on your laser professional’s expertise in laser physics.
Bringing It All Together
Apart from the above-mentioned myths, there are several other misconceptions that deter people from opting for laser hair removal treatments. Our compilation of the common myths and facts should help you overcome your inhibitions about this fantastic modern treatment.
It is also imperative to choose a reputed and experienced dermatologist or cosmetic surgeon for the process. Even if the centre has clinical assistants or licensed nurses to execute the procedure, you must ensure that a doctor supervises the entire procedure. Also, it is best to avoid spas and salons that allow non-medical staff to perform the technique.
If you have any questions or doubts about laser hair removal, please contact our AKJ Skin and Laser Clinic in Tirunelveli. Our experts will help dispel your inhibitions and provide the best laser hair removal treatment.
