Laser Hair Removal - Face - Treatment, Procedure And Side Effects

Laser hair removal is a cosmetic medical procedure that gives you long term results. Laser hair removal is the best solution for dealing with facial hair as periodic trips to the salon for painful threading sessions just doesn’t seem like it’s worth it, after a certain point. While less painful alternatives such as waxing and bleaching do exist, bleach leaves unsightly white hair on your face while both can do irreparable damage to your skin and cause you to age faster. Laser hair removal spares you periodic trips to the salon and doesn’t take a toll on your skin.

The lasers used during the procedure emit energy which targets individual hairs on your face and damages the follicle so that it is not able to grow back. As damaged follicles may or may not repair themselves, some of the hair might grow back after several years, but repeated treatment has been known to result in permanent hair removal. The pain endured during the procedure is usually considered a better alternative to having to go in for repeated threading at salons. Since the laser specifically targets the hair and leaves the surrounding skin untouched, it is a better alternative to facial waxing, which causes damage and premature aging.

A laser hair removal treatment for the whole face might take about an hour, while hair removal of a specific area such as the upper lip or forehead might take a much shorter time. When you go into a clinic for the procedure, you will be prepped for the treatment by having the hair on your face trimmed. Once the hair has been trimmed to a length of a few millimeters from your skin, the doctor will be able to gauge what setting to use on their machinery, depending on the colour and thickness of the hair that needs to be removed.

Once the machine has been prepped for the treatment, a gel will be applied to the area that has to undergo the treatment. This gel is a cooling device that will protect the skin from damage as well as allow the laser to penetrate the skin so as to remove your hair follicles. Then, the doctor would optimize the settings of the machine by exposing the skin to a pulse of light and checking if the best settings have been selected.

Finally, the treatment will begin, as the laser will be used to remove hair follicles from your skin. You might feel a certain amount of discomfort or pain in the areas of the skin that is being treated. Once the laser treatment is done, the doctor will apply ice-packs or anti-inflammatory medication on the treated area in order to relieve any discomfort you might be feeling.

It is quite common for people to get laser hair removal done on their foreheads, upper lips or other facial areas. You are eligible to have the treatment if you:

• Have dark colored hair, as it is necessary for the doctor or technician to be able to distinguish the hair from your skin.
• Do not suffer from cancer, diabetes or skin conditions that affect your face.
• Are not pregnant.
• Are above the age of 18.

Laser hair removal is a common and safe cosmetic procedure. There are, however, some factor which may disqualify you from being eligible for the treatment, such as:

• Having diabetes or being insulin dependent.
• Having completely grey, blonde or light colored hair that is hard to clearly distinguish from the skin.
• Being pregnant.
• Having had extended and unprotected sun exposure within a month leading up to the treatment date.
• Having a facial tattoo or a tattoo on the area that needs to be treated.

The possible risks and side effects of having laser hair removal done on the face are:

• The occurrence of Hyperpigmentation and Hypopigmentation. Hyperpigmentation is one of the most daunting risks of laser hair removal. It is most likely to occur if you are not careful to stay out of the sun. The laser treatment can increase or decrease the production of melanin, causing darkening or lightening of the treated area.
• Pain, tingling, itching and numbness of the treated area.
• Formation of scabs in the treated area.
• Redness of the treated area.

The following are aftercare measures that you should take when you have recently gotten laser hair removal done on your face:

• Apply calamine lotion and aloe vera gel in order to soothe the skin and avoid inflammation.
• Do not get another laser treatment in the same area for at least another 2 months.
• Avoid alternative methods of hair removal including waxing, tweezing and electrolysis on the same area for at least 6 weeks after the procedure.
• Avoid medication such as acne creams or wart ointment on the treated area.
• Avoid exposure to the sun for a few weeks and avoid saunas or hot baths and showers for several days after the treatment.

Pain, itching, irritation and redness might remain for several days after the procedure. These effects will usually subside in less than a week provided that you apply anti-inflammatory creams regularly and follow aftercare instructions prescribed by a dermatologist.

The price of one session varies depending on the part of the face the face that is treated as well the area that is treated. One session can cost between Rs. 3000 – Rs. 8000, also depending on which clinic you are getting it done at. Maintenance sessions for previously treated areas will cost less than a fresh procedure being done for the first time.

Laser hair removal is a long-term hair removal solution, but the results are not permanent. You can expect re-growth of hair to begin in six months to a year after the treatment, although it will be slower and finer. After 4 – 6 maintenance sessions of laser treatment in the same area, however, the results will be permanent and re-growth will cease.

Other than waxing and threading, a viable alternative to laser hair removal is electrolysis, which is also a treatment that provides long-term results.