Combatting Myths of Laser Hair Removal

Several myths about laser hair removal may be deterring you from jumping in and getting rid of unwanted hair. What exactly happens during laser hair removal? Highly concentrated light is beamed into the hair follicle, forcing pigment in the follicles to absorb the light and destroy the hair. Here are a few myths about laser treatment to shed some light on:

It’s painful

You’ve probably heard laser hair removal can be extremely painful. Normally, there may be some minor discomfort involved with traditional lasers, such as a burning or stinging sensation, but this depends on the area being treated, the coarseness of the hair and the skin type. Some laser hair removal machines have a cooling device that helps reduce discomfort, like the Emvera Diolux that we use, which is the only machine of its kind in the county.

Emvera has a powerful chilled tip cooling system that eliminates pain and reduces the risk of burning the skin. It can also speed up recovery time. There is always a chance of side effects like swelling or redness when it comes to laser hair removal, and you’ll want to keep the treated area out of the sun for a short time. However, laser hair removal does NOT have to be painful, if the right equipment is used.

It’s expensive

Cost depends on the area being treated and the amount of hair you have, so it’s best to get a consultation with your medi-spa first. On average, a brazilian can cost between $250-$500 per session, and larger areas like the back or chest may cost between $600-$900 per session. It can take anywhere from 6 to 10 sessions to remove the hair completely. Boutique medi-spas may have more competitive prices than the larger chains, so do some research on your local medi-spas to find the best price! You may be surprised how competitive medi-spas are versus national chains!

The hair grows back

Hair grows in three phases: active, regressive and resting. In between your laser treatments, the resting hair may become active and start growing. Once you’ve completed all the initial treatments, the hair shouldn’t grow back. Since the lasers target the pigment in the hair follicle, sometimes lighter, finer hairs may not be removed at all. You can get maintenance treatments once or twice per year if you notice any individual hairs growing back.

Laser treatment removes tattoos

This is partially true! Lasers are also used to remove tattoos from the skin since they are attracted to the dark pigment in the ink. There is a high risk the lasers will reduce the color in your tattoo during the hair removal process. For that reason, most medi-spas completely eliminate treatment of the tattooed area.

We’re here to answer your laser hair removal questions! Here’s to a hair free (and pain free!) New Year!