With winter coming around the corner quickly, it’s now the best time to get laser hair removal done if you’ve been looking into it. Laser hair removal is a process and takes a few months to fully take hold. Since you need to avoid sun exposure during that time, the winter months inside and covered are the best time of the year to go for treatment. You’ll be ready for the beach in time for summer.

What is Laser Hair Removal?

Laser hair removal is the process of using high energy lasers to remove hair from the body to leave skin feeling silky-smooth. The energy from the laser that is focused on the hair follicles is absorbed by the pigments, causing the hair to heat up and destroy the root, slowing down, or preventing future growth. Laser hair removal can be used on any hair on the body, although most commonly done by women on the legs, bikini line, and underarms.

Is There Pain with Laser Hair Removal?

While some people do have higher or lower tolerances to pain, the general consensus is that laser hair removal is more like a warm pinch than anything else. Modern laser hair removal equipment comes with cooling technology to remove the sensation even more, although there will always be redness and swelling after a procedure for a couple days as the skin recovers.

How Long Should Laser Removal Be Expected to Take?

Each session is relatively short, and will go by quickly enough, but that isn’t the end of the treatment schedule. Most laser treatments require upwards of 6 sessions to be completed, spread out by about four to six weeks. While initially the first laser treatment will slow down, or even completely stop some follicles from regrowing, it won’t stop them all, so extra treatments are needed for complete laser hair removal in an area. As well, the hair won’t be instantly removed at the time of treatment, as it’ll take the body a few days to weeks to shed the hair where the roots have been fully destroyed.

Overall, it should be expected that a laser hair removal treatment plan will take about six to nine months to fully complete and stop all growth in an area.

Who Should Consider Laser Hair Removal?

The color of hair and skin type can affect the success rates of hair removal, and even cause some complications if not using a certified dermatologist for treatments. The lasers used work at specific wavelengths of light, targeting specific pigments. Dark hair on light skin is the easiest hair to remove, while light hair on dark skin, and dark hair on dark skin are the most complicated to remove. Having the right technology available will make the process easier for those with dark skin, but they should always use a professional to avoid skin damage. More modern technology has allowed for the changing in the targeting of the wavelengths of laser hair removal, making it more suitable for those of all skin tones. Lighter hair colors may still see some difficulty, such as red, grey and white hair.

How to Prepare for Laser Hair Removal

Although for many it might seem counter-intuitive, a person should shave the area that they are expecting to get laser hair removal on the day before the appointment. They should not however wax, sugar or pluck that hair, as that could remove the root that the laser needs to target.

Another reason it’s ideal to do laser hair removal during the winter months is that those looking for treatment need to avoid sun exposure and self-tanners before treatment and at least a month after treatment for it to be fully effective. The more pigment in the skin, the harder the process is (although more modern lasers can counter this.) High moisture areas like hot showers, steam rooms, saunas, or heavy workouts should be avoided after a treatment session to give the skin time to recover for a couple days.

Cost of Laser Hair Removal

Laser hair removal costs will vary between major urban areas and smaller cities, as well as vary between which areas of the body is being treated. Smaller areas could be anywhere from $100-$200 a session, while large areas like the legs could be $300-$700 per session. Laser hair removal can be counteracted by hormonal changes, like pregnancy and menopause, and other factors, so touch-up sessions may be required yearly.

Laser hair removal is a great way to get rid of unsightly hairs people no longer want. It’s not an overnight solution and planning should go into the process before a person considers it, but for most it is an affordable option for long term hair removal.