I know you don’t want to hear this, but the sun is setting on summer and cooler weather will soon set in. Cooler weather means the busy season for laser hair removal begins. And that’s great news because clients who begin laser hair removal in early fall will be hair free by early spring.
So ditch the razor and irritation for some laser and you’ll never have the inconvenience of shaving again. Imagine all the time and money you will save when you elect to have laser. The prospect is exciting but, there are a few things you should know to maximize the outcome of each treatment.
How many treatments will it take to be hair free?
Let’s start by defining hair free. When we achieve optimal results with laser hair removal we have permanently stopped 70-90% of hair growth in the areas treated. That means that after laser laser hair removal the only hair left is likely the thin blonde hairs or a straggler here and there.
The average number of treatments to achieve optimal results is 6-8 treatments. However, depending on the color of your skin, the thickness and color of your hair and hormones laser can require as many as 10 or 12 treatments to achieve optimal results. If you’re new to laser be sure to schedule a consultation and evaluation that way you can get an idea of what you should expect in terms of the number of treatments necessary to get the results you want.
If you are someone who has had laser hair removal in the past, and want to continue to improve your results, beware. If you already have 70% or better hair reduction you might be wasting your cash for more laser treatments. If you’re not sure a consultation with an experienced laser technician is worth scheduling.
What do I need to do before I start?
Always begin your laser journey with a consultation. There are lots of misconceptions about laser hair removal and what you should expect. Information your friends have shared about her laser experience may be very different from yours. There are many variables that determine the type of laser used, the number treatments required, even the spacing of treatments might be different. There are too many variables to cover in this blog, so be sure to speak to an expert before you get started.
There are a few general rules that are important before you get started with laser treatments. If you wax, tweeze or thread you should stop at least two weeks before doing any laser treatment. These hair removal methods extract the follicle with the shaft. Laser works by zapping the follicle rendering it useless and stopping growth.
Any kind of tanning should be suspended two weeks before lasering and for the fastest results we recommend no tanning until your whole series of treatments is complete. Darker skin is safe to treat, but at a slightly lower power level. So, if you want results as fast as possible stay out of the sun and no self-tanner.
Be consistent. Your hair grows in cycles so it is important to follow your laser technician’s recommendations and keep your appointments. If you don’t you might skip or miss a cycle and then you will have to wait for those hairs to actively be in the growth cycle. That’s why we created the membership program for laser hair removal at Skin Bar. You are charged each month ensuring that you keep up with your treatments.
What should I expect when I have laser?
The fear of what to expect is the biggest obstacle for many people to get over before they decide to have laser. Will it hurt? How much time does it take? Can the laser hurt me? All of these are very important questions to ask before deciding to move forward with laser.
Today’s laser technology is fast and much more comfortable than at any previous time. Most clients describe today’s laser as slightly uncomfortable but not painful. That’s because of the super cold air blown on the area and the gel barrier used to lower the temperature of the skin temporarily numbing it while the laser does it’s magic. And for those with a low tolerance for discomfort, you’ll enjoy faster treatment times. A full back can be done in less than 15 minutes. At Skin Bar we offer a free test patch on a small area so you experience laser for yourself and take all the guess work out.
Safety is important and while laser is safe it is not without risk. Before you decide to have laser be sure you speak with a professional to learn about risks and safety protocols. Every client is different and should be evaluated individually for a custom treatment plan.
Laser is a great solution for permanent hair removal that will save you countless hours of grooming and the irritating rash that comes with it. And that doesn’t take into account all the money you will save on razors, creams and waxing. Just be sure you know exactly what to expect before you start. That’s all it takes to go from hairy to hair-free.