For any of those amongst us who find ourselves shaving various body parts on a regular basis, we undoubtedly know the struggle that comes with it. Ingrown hairs, accidental cuts and the cost of razors alone are all issues we deal with on a weekly basis, and so the thought of a method of removing all of our unwanted hair for good sounds like a god send, right?
However, while searching for the best laser hair removal London has to offer might be your first port of call, the choice to have this procedure is not a decision to be made spur-of-the-moment! There are plenty of things you need to consider before you go ahead and have your hair follicles fried, and we’re here to give you just a few:
How does laser hair removal work?
Without getting too technical, laser hair removal works by damaging the hair follicles in your skin. Using the latest and best equipment, the technician at your appointment will press their aesthetic laser device to the desired area which will produce a laser beam to your skin. The beam will then pass through your skin and into the hair follicles below and with the heat and light the laser produces, the follicles become damaged and, voila, the hair-growth is stopped!
The sun is a big no-no!
If you’re a big fan of the sun or tanning, then the laser hair removal process might appeal to you – after all, hairless legs without needing to shave during the summer months could save you plenty of time. However, what you need to consider is that before and after the treatment, you’ll need to avoid the sun completely. Your dermatologist will be able to direct you more accurately as to what you can and can’t do, but in short, tanned skin will need to fade before the laser hair removal can be completed. Try and book your appointments for the winter months where you’re less likely to be out soaking up the warmth, and avoid any appointments close to pre-booked holidays! It’s all about staying safe!
Laser hair removal has more than one benefit
Of course, laser hair removal comes with the main benefit of, well, removing hair, but did you know it can actually help with some of the more irritating of daily struggles? Ingrown hairs can not only ruin our perfectly smooth legs, but they can be painful if left for too long and even more of a pain to fix, but laser hair removal could be the solution. With laser hair removal comes an encouragement for hairs to grow straighter and at a reduced rate. There’s less irritation to your skin without ingrown hairs, so what’s not to love?
Patience is key
If laser hair removal sounds like a process for you, it’s important to realise that you need to be patient. From staying out of the sun, to having to avoid the gym, hot showers and more for 24 hours after your appointment, you may have to make a few lifestyle changes during the process of laser hair removal – not to mention, it can take more than one appointment. Each appointment can last for anything between 20 minutes and an hour, and in some cases, you could need upwards of 8-12 treatments. It’ll take two or three weeks to truly see a difference, and you need to have flexibility to be regular with your appointments too. Hair follicles are at different stages of growth at any one time, so regular appointments will give you a better chance at them all being zapped.
The process sounds more painful than it actually is
We’re not saying the process is painless, because it’s not. There is some discomfort, and pain is entirely relative to you and your pain threshold, but all in all it’s not nearly as bad as it might sound. The light from the laser converts to heat as it passes through the skin, so the sensation can be quick and sharp. With the improvements in technology, some instruments even have cooling mechanisms to take away any feeling of heat or burning due to the laser which can definitely help with the sensation. Only you know what your body can handle when it comes to pain, but don’t write the process off just because it sounds more painful than it could be.
