What is it?

Laser hair removal is an aesthetic treatment indicated for permanent hair removal, and can be performed by women or men in the areas of the armpits, legs, manhood, intimate region and beard, for example.

This type of treatment uses light rays that are converted into heat and absorbed by melanin, which is the hair pigment, permanently damaging the hair roots, inhibiting hair growth.

Indications

Laser hair removal is indicated for the permanent removal of hair from body regions such as:

• Legs and coxae.
• Arms and forearms.
• Hands and Feet.
• Groin and intimate region.
• Buttocks and perianal region.
• Armpits.
• Thorax or coasts.
• Abdomen.
• Neck.

Also, laser hair removal can be done on the face, including the nose, in the region between the leftovers and the beard on men, apart from the ears.

Benefits

Laser hair removal is useful in removing unwanted hair from the face, legs, cheeks, coast, arms, armpits, virlines and other areas. According to WebMD, its benefits include:

Precise. Lasers can selectively target dark and thick hairs, leaving hair around them intact.

Speed up. Each laser pulse takes a fraction of a second and can treat many hairs at the same time. The laser can treat an area approximately the size of a quarter every second. Small areas, such as the upper lip, can be treated in less than a minute, and large areas, such as the ribs or legs, can take up to an hour.

Contraindications

Contraindications for laser hair removal include:

• Very light or white hairs.
• Uncontrolled diabetes or high blood pressure.
• Cold or genital herpes.
• Epilepsy.
• Pregnacy.
• Use of photosensitizing medications, such as isotretinoin, in the previous 6 months.
• Skin diseases, such as psoriasis or vitiligo.
• Open wounds or recent non-local hematoma from laser exposure.
• People in cancer treatment.

Laser hair removal can be performed in all areas of the body with excess of the mucous membranes, on the lower part of the brains and directly on the genital organs.

It is important that laser hair removal is performed by a dermatologist or by a professional specialized in aesthetics and in a suitable environment, since if the intensity of the device is not active before it is established, there may be burns, scars or alterations in the color of the skin (clear or dark) of the treated region.

How does he look?

Laser hair removal is a highly effective method for reducing hair (also known as photoepilation), which works through the incidence of laser rays, in the form of light, not the hair follicle. The laser is attracted to melanin (a substance that gives hair growth) and destroys the hair follicle, preventing new hair from developing. And it is precisely for this reason that laser hair removal is only effective on dark hair.

Periodicity

In each session, it is estimated that 20% to 30% are achieved. Thus, a treatment must include at least six sessions, being able to check ten in some cases.

For the definitive destruction of hair to be verified, the laser must target the hair in its growth phase and this can last between three and six years. This is why it will be more correct to reduce the amount of hair, since a treatment lasts only a few sessions, and maintenance is necessary.

It is not possible to specify how long it will be necessary to carry out maintenance anymore, once the treatment makes the hairs increasingly finer and rarer, in most cases it is enough two to three sessions of maintenance per year.

Care

The best care when performing laser hair removal is very simple to follow:

• Do not expose the skin to the sun within 24 hours before and after the session.
• Do not perform hair removal with wax or electrolysis systems in the six weeks prior to the session.
• Avoid, within 24 to 48 hours after a session, exposure to other heat sources such as heaters, steam, etc. It is recommended to apply a cream or lotion with a soothing and skin regenerating effect.

Common doubts

1) Is any preparation necessary for the treatment?

On the day, or on the eve of the session, cut the hairs with foil so that they do not have minimal compression and the laser hits the roots.

2) Can laser hair removal be done on any type of skin?

Yes, since I don’t look very dark (phototypes V and VI). There are several types of lasers suitable for different types of skin.

3) Why do people with phototypes V and VI not do laser hair removal?

Curiously, as people who belong to phototypes V (brown skin, dark eyes and hair; who never suffer “scald” and tan very easily) and VI (black skin) only as they run more risk of burns with photoepilation. So your skin, because there is more melanin, absorbs laser light, which can damage your fabrics.

4) Does laser hair removal hurt?

During the laser hair removal session, it is normal to feel some pain and discomfort, as if there were a few bites in the area.

The thinner and more sensitive the person’s skin, or the thicker the hair, the greater the chance of experiencing pain during waxing.

In some cases, an anesthetic cream or gel may be applied to the area. However, its use should be avoided as pain and the sensation of intense burning in the skin are important parameters for the doctor to identify whether there is a burn, and thus better regulate the laser device.

5) How does the skin feel after the session?

After the first laser hair removal session, it is normal for the exact location of the hair to become a little warmer and redder, indicating the excellence of the treatment. This skin irritation disappears after a few hours.

Therefore, after a treatment session you need to take some care of your skin to prevent it from becoming stained and dark.

6) What are the most used types of laser?

There are several types of laser, but we describe the three most common:

a) Diode

The diode laser uses a wavelength of 800 nm, which penetrates deeper into the skin, being a type of laser that causes less damage to the skin, suitable for all skin types, including darker skin. This is the type we use.

b) Intense pulsed light

The intense pulsed light (IPL) laser is a device that emits flashes of light with a shorter wavelength, from 500 to 690 nm, which does not penetrate deeply into the skin, is less effective and requires more sessions.

This type of laser can be recommended for all skin types and for larger areas.

c) Nd: YAG laser

The ND:YAG laser (yttrium-aluminum-garnet laser doped with neodymium) uses wavelengths of 1064 nm, which penetrate the skin better, and is suitable for all skin types.

d) Alexandrite

The Alexandrite laser uses a wavelength of 755 nm, which has a good ability to penetrate the skin, being a type of laser considered effective, especially for lighter hair and fair or dark skin.

e) Ruby

The Rubi laser uses wavelengths of 694 nm, and is recommended for people with lighter skin and dark hair.

7) Can black skin receive laser hair removal?

Yes. However, black skin requires some care when choosing the type of laser to be applied. If your skin is darker, look for dermatologists who have experience and expertise in caring for black skin.

8) What preparation is necessary before having laser hair removal?

Preparation before laser hair removal

Have you decided to start laser treatment? Then you must follow the following recommendations:

Remove hair

In general, it is recommended that removal be carried out an average of 3 days before the procedure.

In small areas with rapid hair growth, such as the groin and armpits, for example, it is recommended that waxing occurs the day before the procedure. This is because the hair is the guiding thread for the laser procedure, therefore, the hair cannot be large, but it needs to be visible.

Sun exposure

The sun can be a big enemy during laser hair removal treatment. Hyperpigmentation of the skin can cause damage, in addition to compromising the results of the procedure.

Therefore, avoid sunbathing at least 15 days before the session.

Avoid using acids

On the day of the laser session, it is important to take special care of your skin, leaving it prepared for the procedure. Therefore, do not use acids or any type of cosmetics that could irritate and sensitize the area.

Daily hydration

Keeping your skin hydrated is essential to keeping it beautiful and healthy. Furthermore, dry skin increases the chances of the laser causing aggression and blemishes during the dermis healing period.