I know that I pride myself in being all about skin and skin care, but I do love Laser Hair Removal. Believe it or not, Laser Hair Removal has its place in skin care and skin health. The clearer the skin of hair the better it is long term. Follicles in the skin can appear as blackheads which shows as pigmentation on the skin; and no one wants that.
I have been very fortunate that I have had many clients coming in for Laser Hair Removal. The one thing that always seems to come up is how to prepare for a consultation and first appointment for Laser Hair Removal. So, that got me thinking, why not write about it? Here I am writing about it.
It’s important to understand the basics of Laser and how it works. The theory of laser hair removal is a simple one. Laser is attracted to colour, if there is colour in the follicle, the laser will capture it. To be more specific – Laser can only kill the hair follicle when it is in the growing stage (there are three stages of hair growth, growing, resting and shedding); because not all hair is in the same stage at the same time multiple sessions are required to capture the hair at the right stage. An ideal candidate for Laser Hair Removal is someone who’s hair is darker than their skin. To dive into it deeper, there are three types of Laser for Hair Removal; the Diode, the Alexandrite and the ND:Yag Laser. All three lasers do the same things (remove hair) but they all do them differently. Depending on the hair and skin type will determine what Laser is best suited at any given time.
Both men and women are good candidates for Laser Hair Removal; there are some important points to consider when considering Laser Hair Removal.
For Men – if you are under the age of 30, you will not see complete hair removal but a significant reduction. Hair still grows for men into their late 20s and slows down when they turn 30 (it’s not to say that Laser Hair Removal can’t be done, but it may take longer and more maintenance to get the desired results) Results will be seen, but it is possible that little growth may occur in their 30s.
For Women – hormone imbalance plays a huge role in hair growth. If you do have a hormone imbalance this will affect the results of your Laser Hair Removal treatments (it’s always best to see a physician to address the imbalance) Some women who do have hormone imbalances do see significant reduction but it does take longer and more sessions to achieve desired results. Remember, hormone imbalance can cause new hair growth not regrowth; that is the difference.
Alma’s Soprano Ice Laser Hair Removal System – This is a Diode Laser
Candela’s GentleMax Pro Laser System – This is a Dual Alexandrite & ND:Yag Laser
Questions You Should Ask at Your Consultation (I have conducted many consultations as an aesthetician, this is all based on my experiences and my knowledge.)
There are many places that offer Laser Hair Removal, it has become an over-saturated market and picking the right place can be an overwhelming process. There are a few things you should keep in mind when shopping around.
Know What Kind of Machine is Being Used – There are different laser systems out there, some of them are good some of them are not. It is so important to know which system is being used. A prime example is when a business offers Laser Hair Removal services but the system is actually an IPL. IPL is the acronym Intense Pulsed Light, IPL is NOT a laser and is not an efficient method for Hair Removal. It is not to say that an IPL is not a good system, it works very well for skin treatments but not for hair removal.
Remember – It is important that whoever is using the system actually knows how to manipulate the machine to suite your specific hair and skin type. I cannot tell you how many times I have seen clients who said they had ten sessions of laser and saw little to no results using the same machines we use; this truly breaks my heart because I know frustrating it can be to keep doing treatments and seeing no results.
It’s okay to ask questions during your consultation. You are spending your time, your energy and your money for a service that is to boost your confidence; you deserve to have all the confidence in your technician and laser system. I always like to hear out my clients, hear about their experiences, their frustrations and what they want to accomplish in the future. I love being able to provide the service to bring confidence to my clients, it’s an incredible feeling.
Side Note – I am that technician who will fist pump and high five when I hear my clients are happy with the services and results.
Be honest during your consultation, for me as a technician, I want my clients to be completely transparent with me. Honesty and having open communication are a huge factor in the success of Laser Hair Removal results. I want my clients to feel that they can express their feelings, concerns and thoughts and we can work together to achieve the common goal – Less Hair!
We know that Laser Hair Removal can be costly – just keep in mind that although it may be a lot now, you’re actually saving money long term.
We have all heard the phrase – You Get What You Pay For. This is certainly true with Laser Hair Removal. When you see low prices, chances are that it is good to be true, then it probably isn’t; in certain cases, the following can be a factor: the machine being used is second hand, old technology, not a laser (IPL), or being misused.
There is also the other side of the spectrum, where places are too highly priced. You see this more with higher end and brand name places. It is really important to know what machine is being used so you know what you are paying for. It’s best to be paying for the service versus paying for the brand name.
When you spend your money on Laser Hair Removal you want to make sure that you’re getting value for your money. You want a place that will provide safety, results and comfort. Always choose quality of service over price, you should be happy after every single session (feel a sense of accomplishment) than having to continuously keep going back and forth and seeing no result.
For some people, Laser Hair Removal can be an uncomfortable experience simply because they are shy. It is so important to be confident with the people you choose to provide this service for you. You start to build a relationship with your technician and it’s critical that one, you are comfortable with them and two that they provide you with the best and safe treatment.
Now you have decided that you are taking the plunge and starting Laser Hair Removal, what’s next? Once you start Laser Hair Removal treatments, there is no more waxing, tweezing, plucking or threading; you can only shave. There is an important reason for this: in order for the Laser to kill the hair follicle, it needs to be in the skin. The Laser has to focus its energy to destroy the follicle, when there is hair on top of the skin, the Laser will hit the top hair first and have little to no energy to kill the follicle in the skin. Remember to always shave before treatments, it makes life for you and your aesthetician much easier and the treatments much more comfortable.
Pro Tip – do not shave the day of your treatment, your skin will be super sensitive and then Laser on top of that will irritate the skin more. Try as best you can to shave the day/night before.
To maximize your results, I always suggest to my clients to exfoliate about two weeks after a Laser Hair Removal session. It is at this time in the hair growth cycle that the hair will emerge from the skin and begin to fall out. Exfoliating will allow the hair to fall out easily as well as hinder any ingrown hairs from forming in the skin. When my clients see the results, they often put in a reminder on their calendars to exfoliate so they reap the benefits of their treatments.
Scheduling is crucial in the success of your Hair Removal journey. It is always important to keep your scheduled appointments as much as possible as per your technician’s recommendation. This is to ensure that all your Laser Hair Removal sessions are the most beneficial to you. Remember; the laser can only kill the hair follicles at the growing stage. As the follicles get treated, the cycle is then controlled and treatments are set to maximize results.
I have had positive experiences with Laser Hair Removal myself, I know the confidence it gave me, especially with my facial hair; I understand what it can do for people (women especially) I enjoyed the journey myself and I am always honoured when I can be part of someone else’s journey. It’s a joy to see it on the daily.
Laser Hair Removal is meant to give you confidence and make your life easier and better. Trust the process, enjoy the treatments and follow the guidelines; and watch the results happen right before your eyes. You will not regret it.
Got any more questions? Or want to know more information? Drop a comment or send me an email. I’d be happy to help!
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