As women get older, unwanted hair can become a time-consuming nuisance. Men also deal with having to spend time removing pesky facial, nose, ear and back hair. If you would rather spend your time doing the things you enjoy than painstakingly repeating hair removal, it’s time to consider permanent laser hair removal. Let’s look at what the process entails so you feel more comfortable about what to expect.
What it Usually Costs
Generally, you can expect small area procedures to cost $75 and larger areas to cost $500. You can always request a consultation and get your quote so you can figure out what is in your budget. On average, in the United States, a session is $235, but remember, based on the space being covered, those costs will vary significantly.
Does it Hurt?
After the procedure, you may have a little inflammation or redness that you can ice. It will usually feel like a sunburn and should go away in a day or two. The actual procedure is not very painful. In fact, most people find it tolerable. People compare it to being snapped by a rubberband or poked with a pencil. Most people say it is less painful than waxing and faster. If you’re not a pain-tolerant person and you’re worried about whether or not you will be able to handle it, you can request a patch test to see what it will feel like. Keep in mind that different places on your body may feel slightly different.
How Long Does it Take?
Usually, you will need three to six sessions (depending on your hair and skin) for the hair to be permanently removed. Generally, the light pulses can remove the hair from your upper lip in about a minute. Since the back or legs are larger, these areas can take about an hour. You will need to space your treatments out four to six weeks. The hair should fall out in about a month after the procedure. In between sessions, you can trim and shave, but you are not supposed to pluck. You may need a few follow up sessions after your treatment period to get the last hairs that grow in.
How You Get Started
Make sure you do significant research on the doctor you choose because this is a medical procedure, and you want to know what other people have experienced.
You won’t want to do any hair removal for about six weeks before your procedure. The laser hair removal needs to get to the root of the hair, which wouldn’t be there if you had plucked or waxed recently.
Make sure you avoid the sun before the treatment for four to six weeks, and then during the treatments, limit sun exposure and wear sunscreen. Sun exposure can make the treatments less effective. To learn more about laser hair removal contact Chicago Cosmetic Institute.
