ABOUT LASER HAIR REMOVAL
Laser hair removal destroys hair at the follicle, using short bursts of light energy. For permanent results, usually several sessions are required with a break in between, however single sessions can be used for hair reduction. The amount of sessions and time the sessions take vary, depending on the targeted area.
Laser hair removal is a permanent solution to body hair removal and is usually sought after by patients who have dark or thick hair or patients who no longer wish to wax or shave their body hair. Common areas of the body where laser hair removal treatment is used, include the underarm, legs, face, arms, and bikini line.
Recommended for
- Upper lip hair
- Leg hair
- Armpit hair
- Stomach hair
- Arm hair
- Bikini line hair
- Back hair
- Hand hair
- Feet hair
TIME REQUIREMENTS
- Number of days in hospital: 1.
Overnight stay not required.
- Average length of stay abroad: 2 days.
It’s safe to fly after laser hair removal treatment.
- Number of trips abroad needed: 1.
Usually 3-5 sessions are needed for permanent results, although patients can have 1 session for hair reduction.
COMPARE LASER HAIR REMOVAL PRICES AROUND THE WORLD
| Country | Cost |
|---|---|
| Thailand | 30€ |
| Mexico | 27€ |
HOW TO FIND QUALITY TREATMENT ABROAD
BEFORE LASER HAIR REMOVAL ABROAD
Patients are usually advised to stop all forms of hair removal at least 6 weeks before the treatment, in order to allow the hair to grow to its natural form before the removal.
HOW IS IT PERFORMED
First, the hair is trimmed down to a couple of millimeters and a small patch test is carried out, in order to ensure that the settings are suitable.
Depending on the equipment that is used, the patient may need to wear protective goggles for the procedure, while targeted light is directed at the hair follicles.
Anesthesia
The procedure can be performed without any anesthesia.
Procedure duration
The Laser Hair Removal takes 1 to 4 hours.
Treatment time will depend on the size of the targeted area, but patients may need up to 6 appointments with a 6 week space between each appointment to get their desired results.
WHAT TO EXPECT AFTER LASER HAIR REMOVAL
Post procedure care
After the procedure, some patients apply ice packs or special lotions to soothe the area. The area may feel pain, somewhat similar to sunburn. The hair will fall out over the following weeks. Patients should leave 6 to 12 weeks between sessions.
Possible discomfort
Some minor discomfort, similar to pain associated with sunburn is possible.
IMPORTANT THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT LASER HAIR REMOVAL
Success rates
90% of people see permanent hair loss after 3 to 5 sessions.
Not recommended for
- Certain skin type and hair color
- Diabetes
- Patients who have difficulty healing or keloid scars
Potential risks
- Burns
- Blisters
- Swelling
- Redness
- Scarring
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Laser hair removal does work and if enough treatments are performed, the existing roots will no longer produce hairs. It is important to note that laser hair removal tends to work better on coarse body hair rather than on lighter, finer hair.
Most patients will need 6-8 treatments over an 8-12 week period. This is because of the hair growth cycle and will depend on the area and type of hair being treated.
It is difficult to predict how long results will last. Some patients see little to no new hair growth after treatment, whereas others may need “touch up” treatments every so often. Hairs that are removed with laser hair removal will not grow back, but new hair may grow in its place. Electrolysis treatments can remove hair 100% permanently.
During and after the treatment the skin may feel warm or experience mild burns. After the treatment, ice and aloe vera gel can reduce irritation and burning. If there is significant discomfort or if the area being treated is sensistive, a local anesthetic or numbing cream may be used.
Skin may become itchy or red for up to 3 days after treatment. Patients may experience tingling, numbness, or swelling around the hair follicles in the treated area, howeverm this is subside. More extreme side-effects include scabbing, bruising, or unusual discoloration of the skin (purple, for instance).
Laser hair removal has been used since 1997 in the US and is considered a low-risk treatment. There is some risk of the skin being too sensitive for the laser but an experienced and qualified laser technician should be able to avoid this risk. If there is any concern, a small area should be treated at first to see how it reacts.
Lasers used in hair removal use non-ionizing radiation which does not affect DNA and, thus, does not cause cancer.
Skin pigmentation is broken up into 6 types. Types 5 and 6 typically include Hispanic, African, Afro-American, and Middle Eastern skin types. There are lasers designed specifically for these skin types, such as the ND:YAG laser. These skin types should only be treated with lasers designed for them. Using other types of lasers at settings that will provide permanent results can burn the skin.
