How Does Laser Hair Removal Work?

If you love the smooth, silky feeling of hairless legs, you will be intimately familiar with the struggles of shaving. Nicked skin, razor burn, missed patches, and time-consuming shaving sessions are just some of the drawbacks you may have experienced. Many individuals understandably become fed up with these things and start looking into alternative hair removal methods.

One such alternative is laser hair removal. Many people find that this method suits them far better than shaving for an array of reasons. However, whether you’ve had laser hair removal before or are considering having it done for the first time, you most likely have several questions, such as ‘how does laser hair removal work?’ and ‘is laser hair removal safe?’. Thankfully, we’ve got you covered with this comprehensive guide, which will address any curiosities or concerns that you may have.

How Does Laser Hair Removal Work? Our Guide

As fully qualified professionals offering laser hair removal in Northampton, the New You team have many years of experience providing this treatment. We have all the knowledge and skills required to answer your queries and help you assess whether laser hair removal is right for you. If you would like to speak directly to a member of our team, please do not hesitate to get in touch with us today.

• What Is Laser Hair Removal?
• How Does Laser Hair Removal Work?
• The Laser Hair Removal Process
• Laser Hair Removal FAQs

What Is Laser Hair Removal?

Before we get into the nitty gritty of how everything works, we must cover the basics. So, what is laser hair removal? Put simply, laser hair removal is a method of removing body hair using a powerful laser. Many people opt for laser hair removal over alternative methods such as shaving and hair removal creams. This is due to the numerous advantages of laser hair removal, which include the following:

• Results last for a long time
• Pain is minimal
• It doesn’t cause ingrown hairs
• The process is quick
• It can be used anywhere on the body

If you are interested in receiving laser hair removal in Northampton, please feel free to get in touch with our team, who will be more than happy to answer any questions that you may have and help you book in at a time that is convenient for you.

How Does Laser Hair Removal Work?

So, now that we’ve established what laser hair removal is and some of the benefits of having it done, we can now move on to answering the question ‘how does laser hair removal work?’. In order to do so, we first need to cover some basics of both anatomy and physics.

Melanin In Your Skin And Hair

Your skin and hair are made up of a variety of different molecules, which range from small and simple, such as water or H2O molecules, to large and complex, such as the protein collagen. Melanin is a molecule that is present in your hair, skin and eyes, and it is responsible for pigmentation in these areas. Those who produce more melanin have darker hair, skin tone and eyes, while those who produce less will have lighter, less pigmented features. The amount of melanin that you produce is controlled by your DNA, as well as environmental factors, such as exposure to the sun.

The Electromagnetic Spectrum

All electromagnetic waves, from radio waves, used to broadcast television and radio to X-rays used for medical imaging, fall on the electromagnetic spectrum, which is arranged in order from the lowest to the highest energy transmission. The types of waves that are used in laser hair removal are infrared, which is the type of wave produced by radiators, and red visible light, which is what we are looking at when we see the colour red. It should be noted that different molecules absorb different types of waves to varying degrees.

Melanin Absorbs Infrared And Red Visible Light

The reason that infrared and red visible light is used in laser hair removal is that both types of waves are absorbed more by melanin than other molecules present in the skin and hair, such as water. This means that the melanin in your hair will absorb the energy present in the laser beam, causing it to heat up to over 100 degrees Celcius. This causes water molecules in the hair to vaporise while the rest of the structure burns. This damages the hair follicles, preventing the regrowth of hair in the future.

At our beauty clinic in Northampton, we use a laser that produces short, rapid pulses, ensuring that the skin surrounding the hairs is not over-exposed and damaged. Our expert practitioners are fully trained in providing laser hair removal, so you can be sure that you will receive an effective and safe treatment when you book in with the New You team. For more information, please feel free to give us a call.

The Laser Hair Removal Process

Now that we’ve explored how laser hair removal works, we thought we’d take a look at the laser hair removal process. So without further ado, here is what you can expect to happen when you come into our beauty clinic in Northampton for laser hair removal:

• Consultation – before receiving laser hair removal at our clinic, you will need to book in for a consultation, where your treatment goals will be discussed. A patch test will also be performed to ensure that you will not have any adverse reactions to the treatment.
• Preparing for your treatment – it is important that you refrain from plucking out or waxing the hairs in the treatment area for at least a month before your laser hair removal session, as this can reduce how effective the treatment is. However, you may shave the area and are encouraged to do so 24 hours before your treatment, as this will help minimise discomfort during it.
• Eye protection – when you come into the clinic to receive your treatment, you will be provided with eye protection goggles. These will protect your eyes – which contain melanin – from the lasers used during the treatment.
• Cooling gel – your laser technician will apply a cooling gel to your skin to reduce your discomfort and protect your skin during the procedure. The laser equipment will be adjusted to suit your skin and treatment area.
• Hair removal – your laser practitioner will slowly move the laser device, which will release a series of rapid pulses of light over the treatment area. You may experience some mild discomfort during this process.

What To Do After Laser Hair Removal

Once your treatment is complete, you can use ice, moisturising lotions, and anti-inflammatory creams to soothe your skin, which may feel a little tender and be slightly red and swollen. For a month following your treatment, it is vital that you protect the treatment area from the sun’s UV rays by staying in the shade, wearing clothes that cover the area and wearing a high SPF on it if this is not possible.

Laser Hair Removal FAQs

How Long Does Laser Hair Removal Last?

The length of your treatment session may be anywhere between a few minutes and an hour, depending on the breadth and denseness of hair growth in the treatment area.

Does Laser Hair Removal Hurt?

You may experience some mild discomfort during your laser hair removal treatment, which some of our clients compare to the feeling of a rubber band snapping against your skin.

Is Laser Hair Removal Safe?

Yes! Laser hair removal is absolutely safe, although it is not always suitable for certain skin types or pregnant people. Just ensure that you go to a reputable clinic for your treatment.

How Many Sessions For Laser Hair Removal?

The number of laser hair removal sessions you will need for the best results can vary from person to person and can depend on the colour, thickness and density of your hair. Typically, clients looking for permanent results will receive a course of up to ten laser hair removal treatments, which may be supplemented with maintenance sessions.

Laser Hair Removal: Everything You Need To Know

Receiving laser hair removal is an excellent way to permanently reduce hair growth, whether it be on your face, legs, bikini line or underarms. Not only will you no longer have to worry about razor burn, ingrown hairs, and missed patches, but you will also reap unexpected benefits such as saving time that would otherwise be spent shaving and even reducing your plastic consumption, since most razors are disposable and made from plastic.

If you are interested in receiving any beauty treatments at our clinic, from laser hair removal to laser tattoo removal in Northampton, please do not hesitate to get in touch with our team, who will be more than happy to answer any questions that you may have.