Does it ever feel like shaving is a waste of time? No matter how often you shave, your hair is always going to grow back, and you’ll need to shave once again – and probably have to contend with the ever-dreaded razor burn, too. Fortunately, the experts at Gold Skin Care Center in Nashville, TN know that laser hair removal can be used to stunt hair regrowth on almost any area of the body.
Where Can You Use Laser Hair Removal?
Laser treatments for hair removal can be used on all body hair on almost every area of the body, with the exception of the eyelids. Not only can laser treatments reach hard-to-reach areas, but they can also achieve hair removal that lasts. Some popular area for hair removal includes:
- Legs
- Underarms
- Forearms
- Chest and back
- Bikini area
- Face
Legs
Removing hair from the legs is one of the most obvious areas for treatment, particularly for women who want to save time from daily shaving. On average, most women who shave spend an average of 80 days of their life shaving, and most of that time is spent on shaving the legs. And not only is shaving the legs time-consuming, but it can also be frustrating.
Whether it’s nicking your ankles or the sight of stray hairs you missed in the shower, shaving the legs can be more trouble than it’s worth, especially when the itch of razor burn and hair regrowth starts so soon after you shave.
Underarms
For women, the trend of having bare underarms is one that seems ready to stay. Particularly in the summer or when you are wearing short sleeves, having bare underarms can make a huge difference in your overall confidence. Unfortunately, shaving the underarms means creating an environment for ingrown hairs, razor bumps, and other skin irritation that defeats the purpose of shaving that area of the body.
Forearms
Hair covers the majority of the human body, but some people grow dark and thick hair on the forearms. This can be particularly distressing for women, especially since shaving the forearms means you will have to deal with stubble very soon after – and that feels even less pleasant on the forearms than it does on the legs. This treatment can be used to reduce hair growth or thin out the hair on the forearms for a better aesthetic appearance.
Bikini Area
For both men and women, it’s common to use waxing as the primary hair removal treatment for the bikini area, along with shaving. The downside of waxing is that it’s both painful and it requires a significant amount of hair regrowth before you can wax again. Using laser hair removal on the bikini area is gentle enough to reduce hair growth and quickly produces easy-to-maintain results.
Chest and Back
Depending on factors such as genetics and hormones, the hair growing on your chest, back, and even stomach can be as dark as the hair on other areas of your body. This is true for both women and men who may have unwanted hair on any of these areas of the body. Sometimes, because it can be hard to reach hair on the back, using laser treatments for hair removal can make it easier to manage body hair in that area.
Face
Yes, you can even use laser treatments for hair removal on the face. The most common areas for hair removal on the face include the chin, sideburns, upper lip, and even the area between the brow. One of the reasons to use laser treatments on the face is to avoid the pain of tweezing. Using hair removal treatments on the face can also mean that you won’t have to worry about visible skin irritation.
But women aren’t the only ones who can benefit from hair removal treatments for the face. Men can also use this treatment to reduce the thickness of a beard to make daily upkeep easier.
Other Frequently Asked Questions
1. How Does Laser Hair Removal Work?
Laser treatments for hair removal utilize the thermal power created by light energy. When the light of the laser treatment hits the pigment of the hair shaft, the light travels down to the hair follicle as heat damages the follicle enough to stunt hair growth. Given enough time, the hair in treated areas of the body will grow back more slowly – or sometimes not at all if the hair follicle is damaged enough.
It’s important to remember that, while this treatment damages the hair follicle, it does not damage the surrounding skin tissue. The laser technology used for your treatment is only active when the laser detects the darker pigment of your hair, which means your skin will not be affected by the treatment.
2. Does This Treatment Hurt?
As the technology used for this treatment evolves, the treatment itself becomes more comfortable. Many people compare this treatment to the sensation of a snapping rubber band that lasts for only a split second. If you have sensitive skin, we can discuss using a topical numbing cream prior to your treatment to ensure your comfort during your appointment.
3. How Many Treatments Will You Need?
Usually, the results of this treatment can be completed within four to eight treatments, each spaced about four to six weeks apart. That said, the number of treatments you will need will depend on your unique hair growth factors, such as how quickly your hair grows, the density of your body hair, and your ultimate goals for treatment. For example, if you only want to thin or reduce hair growth, you will likely only need a few treatments.
The results of your treatment will appear within several days. It’s common for the hair in your treatment areas to fall out about a week or so after your treatment appointment. You may even be able to benefit from better skin tone and texture after repeated treatments.
4. How Frequently Should You Have Treatments?
Most of the time, it’s best to wait about four to six weeks between your treatments so that your treatments can occur during the active growing stage of the hair. Waiting this long between appointments will also give your skin enough time to cycle through a new turnover cycle to prevent any skin irritation. After you have achieved your desired results, you will need to attend maintenance appointments once or twice a year to continue to enjoy your results.
5. How Long Does This Treatment Last?
On average, the results of this treatment can last for about six to 12 months at a time. Compared to waxing, tweezing, or shaving, the results of this laser treatment last a significantly longer amount of time. The best part about this treatment is that if you stick to your maintenance treatments, then you will benefit from permanent results and zero hair growth in the future.
6. Is This Treatment Worth It?
Many people hesitate to have this treatment because they believe it won’t be any better than other hair removal treatments. But the truth is that this treatment is superior to traditional hair removal treatments for several reasons. For example, unlike shaving, this hair removal treatment removes more than just visible hair on the skin surface.
And unlike waxing and tweezing, which violently remove hair from the follicle, this treatment does not open the door for ingrown hair to appear. In fact, one of the key benefits of this treatment is the fact that it can correct and treat ingrown hairs since it causes any hair regrowth to grow straight from the follicle rather than crookedly.
7. How Should You Prepare for Your Treatment?
Although this is a simple treatment that can be completed in under an hour, there are still some things you will need to do to prepare for your treatment. The most important factor is to be aware of your skin health before your appointment. This means taking care of your skin to ensure it is moisturized and not irritated. If you do have psoriasis, eczema, or active acne on the day of your treatment, then you will need to reschedule your appointment.
Another important factor is to limit the exposure of your skin to any factors that can darken the pigment of your skin since this will make it more likely for the treatment to also darken your skin. It’s best if you avoid direct sunlight, tanning beds, and self-tanning products for at least two weeks before your treatment appointments.
8. Are You a Good Candidate?
The fantastic thing about this laser treatment is that most people are good candidates regardless of skin tone or hair type. If you have hair that is particularly light, such as blond, grey, or red, we will need to verify that this treatment is a good option for you. If you do not have an active skin infection, sunburn, or particularly sensitive skin, then you are likely a good candidate for this treatment.
Let Laser Hair Removal Make Your Life Easier
If you’re tired of constantly dealing with unwanted body hair, razor burn, and ingrown hairs, then it’s time to find a better hair removal solution than shaving, waxing, or plucking. Laser hair removal can be an effective and long-lasting option for those who want to permanently reduce or thin out hair growth. This treatment is an ideal choice for men and women who want to remove hair from one or more areas of the body. If you think this treatment is right for you, please contact Gold Skin Care Center in Nashville, TN to schedule your first appointment today.
