Ditch the Razor - Embrace Laser Hair Reduction

Razors, they're expensive, they break and can cause razor burn, and the thoughts of those nasty knicks on the kneecaps and ankles are what nightmares are made of. Tweezing is time-consuming and can lead to long-term damage to the hair follicle, and don't get us started with the thoughts of those over-plucked brows of the '90s... shivers down the spine! And waxing? We all have a story of having that ONE bad experience you'll never forget, the expense, pain, and upkeep of that process.There's a better way. Do away with the medieval methods of shaving, plucking, and waxing, and say hello to a safe and super-effective alternative for removing unwanted body hair for good with laser hair reduction. Laser hair reduction is rising in popularity and quickly becoming mainstream for many reasons – all of which we will discuss in this ultimate guide to laser hair reduction. Get ready; it's time to relinquish the razor.

What Is Laser Hair Reduction Treatment, or LHR for short?

Laser hair reduction is a safe and effective process for eliminating unwanted hair virtually anywhere on the body (except near the eyes). Laser hair removal treatment is light-years beyond where it first began, and it's all due to the incredible technology developed to remove body hair with more speed and versatility than ever before.First, your provider will determine the most effective device to treat your unique skin type and hair color. Then, throughout 15 to 60 minutes (depending on the area(s) being treated), the laser delivers heat to the targeted area and destroys the base of the hair follicle.

How many laser sessions does it take to remove hair?

Many people don't realize that a series of treatments is required to ensure permanent hair reduction, 6 to 12 treatments are sometimes necessary for maximum results. This is because hair can only be destroyed in the active growth stage, of which there are three.

The 3 Stages of Hair Growth

Some people have more hair than others, and no one's hair grows at the same rate. Hair cycles through a merry-go-round of three growth phases:

• The Anagen Phase: Your hair grows in multiple directions, and it's during this "active growing" phase when the bulb of your hair is fully intact. Since the bulb is closest to the surface of your skin, laser hair reduction can more effectively target hair follicles during this phase.
• The Catagen Phase: Just like we need rest stops on long journeys, your hair does, too! Think of this phase as a brief rest stop between the anagen and telogen phases. Hair growth ceases but doesn't shed in the lower part, leading to body absorption of the bottom third of the follicle.
• The Telogen Phase: Club hair time! No, this is not a time to get ready for a night out on the town – it's when the hair bulb vanishes and the resting phase begins. This club hair then either falls out or gets pushed out by hair entering the anagen phase.

Since not all hair follicles are in the same phase at the same time, multiple treatments are necessary to target all hair follicles during their anagen phase. For the best results, each hair follicle must be targeted with laser technology during the anagen (active growing) phase.

How Laser Hair Reduction Works

Laser technology has become so innovative that it's kicking traditional methods like waxing, plucking, and shaving to the curb! During the anagen phase of hair growth, light from the laser attacks the melanin (pigment) in the follicle growth centers. Once your skin absorbs the light, it converts to heat, destroying unwanted hair at the source. Laser hair reduction eliminates 80%-90% of the hair from the treated area. Though some hair may grow back, it'll be more subtle and less noticeable than before. There is typically minimal to no downtime.

Who is a good candidate for Laser Hair Reduction?

If you answer YES to any of the following, you will make a great candidate for Laser Hair Reduction…

• I'm a healthy adult.
• I want to remove excess, unwanted hair from my body.
• I'm tired of all the other hair reduction methods (tweezing, shaving, etc.)
• I'm ready to undergo a series of 6 to 12 laser hair removal treatments.

An experienced laser technician will work with your specific needs, including adjusting your laser hair reduction treatment to best fit your unique hair color and skin tone. Although many people can experience the incredible effects of hair reduction treatments, some people should refrain from treatment:

• Female clients who are pregnant
• Clients who have underlying skin conditions that could worsen with laser treatments.
• Clients with pale blond, red, or gray hair since there's not enough pigment to target.

What parts of the body can I get Laser Hair Reduction?

Our highly experienced Certified Advanced Estheticians can perform laser hair removal treatment on almost any part of your body where unwanted hair exists. These body areas include:

• Legs
• Arms
• Bikini Area
• Face
• Underarms
• Neck
• Back
• Chest

Most of our patients experience optimal results after four to eight treatments. Still, we encourage clients to attend the number of laser hair reduction sessions that will produce their desired results – whether that's a series of four, eight, or more. The side effects are minor and typically disappear shortly following your treatment. They may include:

• Skin irritation
• Changes in skin pigment
• Crusting

Let's dispel some myths and embrace the facts:

MYTH: Laser hair reduction isn't safe for darker skin.FACT: It's true that those with fairer skin and dark hair experience the best results, but dark-skinned individuals can still achieve significant hair reduction.MYTH: Laser hair reduction is 100% permanent.FACT: Typically, it eliminates 80% -90% of unwanted hair, and one series of treatments is enough to last up to 6 to 12 months.MYTH: Laser hair reduction is quite painful.FACT: Clients equate the laser hair reduction process to the sensation of a small rubber band snap. For most people, it's not terribly painful. At the very least, you typically only need an ice pack to reduce minor redness or swelling. After treatment, though, you can return directly to your daily routine!MYTH: Laser hair reduction is only for women.FACT: Skin is skin, hair is hair, and that's that! Despite popular belief, laser hair reduction is a very popular treatment for men, and it often delivers the same long-lasting results found in women! Laser hair removal can be used to treat back hair, chest hair, and even hair on your head.

Don't Try This at Home, Folks!

The fact of the matter is that you can really hurt yourself if you attempt laser hair reduction at home. Remember those side effects we talked about earlier? You're much more likely to experience those and even worse risks by treating yourself. Lasers require expert care and training, so if you don't know what you're doing, you'll be taking a serious risk. To achieve your desired results, we encourage you to seek high-quality laser treatment regardless of where you are looking.Here's why you should NOT attempt laser hair reduction at home:

• Reason #1: Laser hair removal treatment at home is not as effective.Most people turn to laser hair reduction out of contempt for shaving, plucking, and waxing. Still, at-home lasers aren't nearly as powerful as professional lasers – meaning you won't achieve the same level of results. Professional treatments eliminate 80% – 90% of unwanted hair in the treated area(s) and can last up to 6 to 12 months. However, if you perform laser hair reduction at home, you may not even see any results.
• Reason #2: Laser hair reduction at home does not work for everyone.A weak DIY laser can't target pigment if there isn't enough contrast between the color of your hair and the color of your skin. Since laser hair reduction targets the pigment of your hair, it's possible that an at-home laser could produce the desired results for people with pale skin and dark hair. But if you have lighter hair or darker skin, you should not attempt laser hair reduction at home.
• Reason #3: Laser hair reduction at home is dangerous.Why take the risk when there are other options available? Laser hair removal at home is simply not safe. Unlike traditional lasers utilized by professionals, at-home lasers are not FDA-approved and could damage your skin. As a result, you could end up with side effects such as:
  • Burns
  • Blisters
  • Hyperpigmentation
  • Hypopigmentation
  • Skin infection

What Are You Waiting For? Remove Unwanted Body Hair with Renew.

Hopefully, after reading this guide, you feel more secure about laser hair removal. If it's in your future, be sure you're getting the most out of your treatment series by following the customized plan determined by your provider. This will ensure long-lasting results!Following any treatment, it's important to keep your skin protected from sun exposure and all outside pollutants. We recommend using a quality SPF free of perfumes and other additives. If you're ready or even thinking about giving up your razor, our talented Certified Advanced Estheticians are standing by to answer all your hair reduction questions or to get you started with treatment.Sources:

• Great Skin KC
• Renew Medical Spa
• AAD