Are you fed up with your usual hair removal routine of shaving or waxing? It might be time to consider a long-term alternative: laser hair removal. The Kardashians girls are very open about their laser hair treatments and have even filmed themselves undergoing treatments on Keeping Up With The Kardashians. All of the girls have opening expressed positive feelings about their treatment, with Kim admitting that it is part of her regular beauty routine.
How does it work?
How does laser hair removal work? A laser beam passes through the skin to reach hair follicles. The intense heat from the laser damages the hair follicles to slow down hair growth. Hair doesn’t fall out immediately but sheds out after the procedures. Most people require multiple sessions to remove hair altogether, and some individuals need long-term maintenance laser treatments.  Â
So why are celebrities turning to laser hair removal?
More and more celebrities are turning to laser hair removal to get rid of their unwanted body hair. Kim and Khloe Kardashian, Victoria Beckham and Lilly Ghalichi are among the stars that have been open about their reasoning behind laser hair removal.
More time efficient
Shaving, plucking, and waxing takes time, not to mention it’s painful. Celebrities don’t have the time to spend in the bathroom getting rid of unwanted hair.
Great results
Professional laser hair removal procedures help keep unwanted body and facial hair away. Celebrities are turning to trained professionals and seeing dramatic results.
Few side effects
Shaving and waxing lead to cuts, ingrown hairs, and irritation. While laser hair removal treatment can leave skin slightly red and irritated, celebrities are no longer having to deal with the more problematic side effects of shaving and waxing.
Save money
While initial sessions can be costly, celebrities are no longer having to spend money on waxing treatment, razors, or creams. The long-term impact of laser hair removal helps justify the expensive procedure.
I’m ready; what should I do?
Are you ready to commit to laser hair removal treatment? Great! Here are some tips to help you get started.
Do your research, be prepared
You’ll want to make sure laser hair treatment is right for your skin and hair type. The procedure is meant for dark, coarse hair and might not work if you have red, blonde, grey, or white hair.
You’ll also want to consider the timeline of treatment. While you can get laser hair treatment all year around, you might want to avoid doing it during the summer months. You cannot expose the area you’re treating to sunlight for about two weeks before and two weeks after treatment, because sunlight makes your skin more sensitive. You can cause permanent damage to your skin if you expose it to sunlight too soon after your procedure.
Another way to get prepared is to consult a professional. Many professional skin and laser centers offer free consultation. For example, those that opt for laser hair removal by Ethos Spa get to meet with a physician or technician in advance of their treatment.
Follow the advice of your technician
After meeting with your technician, follow whatever instructions they give to you before undergoing treatment. They’ll tell you how long you need to stay out of the sun if you should shave beforehand, and what type of products to use on your skin. Depending on your medical needs, you might be asked to avoid blood-thinning medications.
Most technicians will advise against waxing before treatment but will encourage you to shave the day before. Shaving the day before will prevent surface skin from being damaged by burning hairs.
They’ll also have more advice for you to follow after the procedure. You’ll get more information on how to handle exposure to the sun and how to take care of your skin.
Know what to expect
Know what to expect during and after your procedure. Most of the time, you’ll lay down on a table before the technician applies a gel to the area being treated, and then the technician will run the laser over the area. Some folks will feel their skin heat up and may experience a prickly feeling, but the level of sensitivity will depend on the individual.
Afterward, your skin may look red and feel slightly swollen, but that will go away within a few days. If it is too uncomfortable, your technician might recommend a specific type of moisturizer to help the area feel better.
Hair often grows back after the first session, so you’ll need to set up a follow-up session. After multiple sessions, you’ll notice your hair is becoming more and more sparse. The timing of your follow-up session(s) depends on how fast your hair grows back.
