Laser hair removal is a highly advanced hair removal technique that is among the most commonly requested aesthetic treatments. However, people commonly wonder whether it is worth the initial time investment. Today, our aesthetic experts at The Laser Center of Marin in Corte Madera, CA discuss whether getting laser hair removal is worth it and more to help you determine whether it is right for you.
Is Laser Hair Removal Worth It?
Yes, laser hair removal is absolutely worth it. Let’s take a closer look at a few of the reasons why:
The Results Are Long-Lasting
For many people, the results of this treatment last forever. In rare cases, the results of treatment remain for years until several hormonal imbalances occur. Regardless of how long your treatment results last, you won’t need to wax once a month or shave every day to maintain smooth, hair-free skin.
It Is Safe
This treatment is so safe the FDA approved it for the safe, effective removal of hair in most healthy adults in 1997. Lasers have been used for decades to remove unwanted hair without damaging the skin tissue surrounding the active hair follicles.
Regardless of your skin type or tone or the color of your hair, your skin will not be damaged during treatment. The laser only targets the hair follicles in the active phase of the growth cycle.
It Is Effective
Laser treatments are an incredibly effective hair removal method. Depending on a number of factors, you may need between four and 10 treatment sessions to enjoy complete, lasting hair removal. Depending on the size of the treatment areas and the number of treatment areas, your sessions may take up to an hour.
However, if you are treating a small area, your laser treatment will only take around five minutes. That said, the entire session may take 15 minutes or longer if you request the application of a topical numbing cream before your treatment begins.
Unwanted Hair Can Be Removed From Virtually Anywhere
You can use laser therapy to remove unwanted hair from virtually anywhere. It is most commonly used to remove unwanted hair from the back, legs, chest and bikini line. However, it can also be used to remove unwanted hair from the upper lip, underarms, chin and arms.
Let us know about all of your areas of concern during your initial consultation. There’s a good chance laser therapy can help you remove unwanted hair from those areas safely and effectively.
You Won’t Have to Remove Unwanted Hair Daily
While some people schedule professional waxes every four or five weeks, most of us shave daily to keep our unwanted hair at bay. Some people don’t shave daily, hiding their leg hair with jeans or wearing a sleeved shirt to hide underarm hair.
One of the problems with shaving is sometimes you get invited to do something, like lounging on San Quentin Beach, and realize you’re out of shaving cream or your razor blades are too dull. That’s not a concern if you get laser hair removal.
You Won’t Have to Worry About Stubble
Using laser treatments to remove unwanted hair means you don’t have to worry about stubble. You will no longer have to check your underarms before leaving in your favorite halter top.
You don’t have to think about whether your legs are flawlessly smooth when wearing your favorite skirt. You can go anywhere and wear anything without thinking about whether you have visible stubble.
You Won’t Have to Worry About Irritation
Whether you usually shave, wax or use depilatory creams, traditional hair removal methods are painful. Shaving leads to red razor bumps and burning, irritated skin. It can also trigger acne outbreaks. Additionally, it seems like itchiness will strike the day after you shave inevitably.
While you don’t have to worry about razor bumps or burn when you wax or use depilatory creams, those methods can still lead to burning, irritated skin. Using an FDA-approved laser to remove unwanted hair eliminates your need to use traditional hair removal methods and deal with the side effects of those methods.
You Will Save a Lot of Time
Let’s conduct a thought experiment. Imagine you shave three times weekly and spend a quarter of an hour shaving every time you remove unwanted hair. That adds up to 45 minutes weekly. This may not sound like a lot of time, but it adds up to 39 hours per year!
If you only shave for 25 years, you’re giving up 40 days and 15 hours of your life for smooth skin. This ignores how much time you spend scratching your legs and wishing you could stop your skin’s painful burning.
You Will Save a Lot of Money
Besides time, the money you spend keeping your skin hair-free adds up quickly over time if you use traditional hair removal methods. Whether you shave daily or every three days, get professional waxes once monthly or use depilatory creams, it is astonishing how much money you spend over decades keeping your skin smooth.
If you use laser treatments to remove unwanted hair, you may never have to use these expensive hair removal methods again.
You Won’t Have to Grow Your Hair Out
While waxing is a popular, effective hair removal method, you have to grow your hair out until it is 0.25 inches. You need to go days with visible hair before waxing because the wax needs something to latch to and remove. When you shave or use a hair removal cream, your hair extrudes from the skin’s surface shortly after you have removed your unwanted hair.
Some people hold off on using a hair removal cream or razor to remove unwanted hair because they want to give their skin a break from irritation. When you opt for laser hair removal, you can shave before your appointment. While your hair must be in the active growth phase, it doesn’t have to be visible.
Frequently Asked Questions About This Treatment Answered
How Should I Prepare for My Treatment?
Preparing for your hair removal session is simple. During the six weeks leading up to your appointment, you need to wear sunscreen diligently. This increases the contrast between your skin color and hair color, increasing the efficacy of the treatment significantly. You should also avoid waxing or plucking your unwanted hair during this time.
Furthermore, you should avoid blood thinners and high doses of caffeine during the three days leading up to your treatment. These can affect your blood pressure.
How Frequently Can I Get Treatment?
You can get treatments every four to six weeks. It is important to space your appointments out because the lasers only target hair follicles that are in the active growth phase. Each laser session removes roughly 15 to 30% of the hair in the targeted area.
After four to six weeks, a new group of hair in the area will enter the active phase of the growth cycle and extrude from the dermis. Once you can see more unwanted hair in the targeted area, you can come in for another treatment.
What if I Just Want to Thin My Hair Out?
If you don’t want complete hair removal, you’re in good company. Men often want to maintain some facial hair but reduce the amount of chin hair they have, reducing the frequency with which they have to shave and mitigating the risk of razor burn. Other people experience hormonal imbalances that result in excess hair growth and want a normal amount of arm hair.
Let us know during your initial consultation if you only want to thin your hair out. We can accomplish this by scheduling fewer treatments than you would need to achieve complete hair removal. For example, you may only need two treatment sessions to remove a third of your hair and be satisfied with your appearance rather than six sessions for complete hair removal.
Book an Appointment Today
There are many reasons why laser hair removal is worth it. The results are long-lasting and can be permanent. The method of hair removal is safe, effective and can be used virtually anywhere. Removing unwanted body or facial hair with laser treatments will save you time, money, pain and irritation.
To find out if this treatment is right for you, contact us now at The Laser Center of Marin in Corte Madera, CA to schedule an appointment. We look forward to helping you achieve the lasting hair removal you desire.
