Permanent Facial Hair Removal

Most people are aware that permanent facial hair removal is done via laser. However, there are many other facts that you might not be aware of regarding removal. Before you head off to book this procedure, it is recommended that you find out as much as possible. Here are a few things that you may not know:

7 Unknown Facts

You are probably aware that a laser can be used to perform permanent facial hair removal. However, here are 7 things that you may not know:

1. Permanent Facial Hair Removal Is Not As Painful As It Sounds

Permanent facial hair removal works by sending light from a laser through the pigment of the hair. The light converts into heat, which damages the hair follicle and bulb. This process sounds like it will be painful, but there is actually very little pain involved.

Most people find that the pain is not only easy to handle, but it is also over very quickly. Generally, the thinner the skin, the greater the pain. Painful areas to remove hair are around the nose and temples. Fortunately, most lasers will have a cooling mechanism, which reduces the pain.

2. Results Are Not Instant

Many people assume that the results of permanent hair removal will be instant, but this is not the case. Depending on the thickness and color of your hair, the amount of time you will have to wait to see results will differ. You also need to complete several treatment sessions before the effects start to really become visible.

You may see results after two treatments, which will generally be around eight weeks. Keeping to the treatment schedule is also essential if you want the full results. Your hair follicles are all at different stages of growth, which means multiple treatments are required to remove all of them. If you stop the procedure after the first or second session, you will likely see facial hair growth from the follicles that were not treated initially because they weren’t yet visible.

3. You Cannot Go To The Gym After Permanent Facial Hair Removal

If you are thinking about heading to the gym after your laser hair removal session, you need to reconsider. It is generally recommended that you avoid the gym, saunas, and hot showers 24 hours after the treatment. The reason for this is there is heat from the laser, which will interact with the heat from the shower or sauna.

For 24 hours after the treatment, the heat from the laser will remain in your skin. When you go to the gym or another hot area like a sauna, you will create a warm environment in your skin. This will be an environment that bacteria love to multiply, resulting in pimples and other skin problems.

4. The Effects Of Sun Before And After Your Treatment

In the time leading up to the treatment and after, you might have to avoid getting too much sun. Of course, this will vary depending on the person, and your dermatologist should be able to advise you on this. Sunbathing will darken the pigment of your skin, and this will affect the laser treatment.

If you already have a tan, you might have to wait for it to fade before you can proceed with hair removal. This is something that you need to discuss with your dermatologist before the treatments start. It would be best if you also told them about any vacations you might have coming up, affecting your follow-up sessions.

5. Laser Treatment Can Trigger More Hair Growth

With all forms of hair removal, there are some associated risks. Permanent hair removal could stimulate more hair growth in that area. This is something that you should talk to your dermatologist about before you start the treatment.

Laser treatments work exceptionally well for certain kinds of hair and not as well for others. These hairs will grow longer and thicker when exposed to laser light. Fortunately, your dermatologist will be able to determine if you have this type of hair when they assess your eligibility for this treatment. If you have this type of hair, you will probably not want to continue with this treatment but look for an alternative option.

6. You May Think That The Process Will Take Longer Than The Reality

When you talk to your dermatologist, they will layout the treatment schedule for you. The number of sessions that you need will vary depending on two things. Firstly, the type of hair that you have. And secondly, the amount of removal required. While you can spread the schedule over multiple weeks, each appointment is relatively short.

It takes approximately 20 minutes to complete a single session of laser hair removal. This will include removing any makeup at the start and some time to go over what will happen in the session. The first session that you have might take longer,  as you will probably want a longer explanation from your dermatologist on precisely what is happening.

7. There Is More Than One Benefit To Laser Hair Removal

The primary benefit of permanent facial hair removal is that it removes hair from places you don’t want hair growing. However, there are other benefits that laser treatments give you that you might not be aware of.

The first additional benefit is the fact that laser treatments can provide clearer and smoother skin. This is partially due to the hair’s removal, but it also reduces irritation in the skin. Irritation is what causes pimples and other skin problems.

Another benefit that you should be aware of is the reduction of ingrown hairs. Ingrown hairs can be a nightmare for a lot of people, but laser treatments will reduce this. This is because the laser treatment encourages hair to grow straight out.

There are many facts about permanent facial hair removal that you need to know before you book an appointment. You are recommended to have an in-depth discussion about this with your dermatologist before the first treatment. This discussion will help you determine if this is the right treatment and cover all the facts you need to know. It will also allow you to ask questions.