Everyone knows the feeling of looking in the mirror and seeing a part of themselves they just wish wasn’t there. Some of us wish we were taller and while in certain cases, something can be done about it but it will be nothing short of a colossal effort. Other times it’s a more simple wish like thicker, fuller hair. There’s even certain places we’d rather not deal with hair at all.
The idea of laser hair removal is one that we’ve all at least considered at one point or another. Just one quick procedure and those annoying hairs will never be an issue again,right? Sounds like a deal you wouldn’t have to think twice about. Unfortunately, it’s not as simple as the name implies.
How Does It Work?
Before knowing if it’ll last forever, you might be curious how the whole thing even works. After the initial consultation, the actual procedure with the plastic surgeon will begin with the area being properly cleaned and having a numbing gel applied to it. After around 30-60 minutes have passed so the area is properly numbed, the actual hair removal begins.
Yourself, the surgeon and anyone else in the room will equip the proper eyewear before anything else. While the word “removal” might not paint the most accurate image, the usage of “laser” is spot on. The area being worked on will be held taut and treated with a strong laser. It’s powerful enough to work on the hairs but not strong enough to do major damage. Think of it feeling like the string from a rubber band.
And Then The Hair Is Gone?
As mentioned, things aren’t quite that simple. How many procedures you’ll need will depend on a few factors, but odds are very high this is something that’ll need to be done a few times. It’s not what you might be expecting to hear, but the same area may need to be treated five to ten times.
Typically, you won’t have to worry about hair in that particular area for at least a couple of years. If this was a real problem area, knowing you have a few years of relief will still be good news. A major factor of if it comes back or not is going to be that location itself. Often, hairs removed from anywhere on the head or neck do tend to come back eventually.
What Other Factors Come To Mind?
The location of the hair isn’t the only variable when it comes to measuring how long the hair removal will last. Regardless, if it does seem like something that’s going to come back year after year, annual preventative treatments are always an option. Life changes can impact this as well. While it might have been an area that was never an issue after the procedure, a hormonal change, such as a pregnancy, can result in the need of a touch-up on a particular area.
The type of hair you have and the color of your skin are also also going to play into things. The procedure tends to work best for those who have a lighter skin tone paired with darker hair. Never take that to mean laser hair removal isn’t for you if that’s not what you look like, there’s simply an increased chance of needing a touch-up in years to come.
