Laser hair removal is a absolutely safe and effective treatment for women with excessive facial hair growth. It is one of the most advanced procedures to dramatically reduce the number of unwanted hairs in a given area.
Facial Hair Growth
Facial hair growth among women is medically termed Hirsutism. This condition is most often caused by Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS). Below are some of the top causes (source) –
- Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) in 70% of cases
- Androgen-Secreting Tumors
- Non-classical Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia
- Medications
- Endocrinopathies
- Physiological prolactin secretion
It most often begins at puberty and results from an imbalance of sex hormones. Over the years, PCOS may result in irregular periods, excessive hair growth, obesity, infertility, and multiple cysts on ovaries.
Hirsutism may also cause acne, more facial hair, or body hair among women than they like. Other areas where women may grow excessive hair include the chest, lower stomach, back, inner thighs, and legs.
Laser Hair Removal Process for Face
Be cautious about salons and spas. They often allow nonmedical staff to perform laser hair removal. Make sure to utilize the services of a dermatologist, specialist, or cosmetic surgeon if you are interested in laser hair removal. And see that a specialist supervises even when an assistant or licensed nurse is performing the procedure.
Schedule a consultation with the specialist before the laser hair removal operation. This will help determine if it is an appropriate treatment option for you. Your doctor is most likely to carry out the following process:
- Review your medical history. This may include medication use, scarring records, skin disorders, and previous hair removal procedures.
- Discuss the risks, benefits, and expectations of laser hair removal and what the procedure can or cannot do for you.
- Conduct before-and-after photo assessments and long-term reviews.
The doctor will also discuss a plan for treatment alongside the costs of laser hair removal. He will also offer precise instructions, including how to brace for laser hair removal. Other instructions may include avoiding the sun, lightening the skin with creams, and avoiding other hair removal methods like shaving the treatment area or using blood-thinning medications.
Make sure to strictly follow your doctor’s advice before and after treatment for complication-free best results.
List of 10 Benefits of Permanent Laser Hair Removal for Face
Here are a wide range of benefits you can expect from the laser hair removal treatment procedure:
1. Long-Term Solution
Say goodbye to unwanted hair for good and lasting results. Laser hair removal permanently reduces hair growth, with most people experiencing up to 90% reduction after a few sessions. Unlike temporary methods like shaving or waxing, laser treatment ensures that hair does not grow back for many years.
2. Low Maintenance
It is a wise investment option for anyone seeking a permanent solution. However, annual touch-ups might be necessary. Only minimal maintenance is required after completing the initial series of treatments. It will be only for touch-up sessions to keep hair growth at bay once a year. It significantly reduces the need for regular grooming and upkeep.
3. Minimal Side Effects
The treatment procedure is less painful and more effective. It reduces the severity alongside several side effects like follicular edema. Side effects are usually mild, including temporary redness or swelling, which often subside within hours. Studies have shown that the risk of serious side effects is extremely low, especially when performed by a trained professional.
4. Quick Treatment Procedure
Treatment sessions are short and only take 15 minutes to complete. The entire procedure will take up a small fraction of your day. Most facial areas, such as the upper lip or chin, can be treated in minutes, making it a convenient option for busy schedules. You can even fit it into a lunch break.
5. No More Ingrown Hair
The treatment eliminates ingrown hair and minimizes the risk of bumps, inflammation, and itching. Laser hair removal is ideal for people with frequent ingrown hairs, especially after shaving or waxing. The laser targeting hair at the root prevents hair from growing improperly under the skin, reducing irritation and discomfort.
6. Less Painful
Laser treatment is less painful than other hair removal methods like threading, tweezing, and waxing. While the sensation during the treatment is described as a mild sting or snap, advancements in cooling technologies help minimize discomfort. The pain is far more manageable for most people than waxing or electrolysis.
7. Safety Aspect
New advances in laser hair removal technology make it safe for people with dark skin tones. They can now enjoy the same level of safety as those with lighter skin tones. Modern lasers, such as Nd:YAG, are designed to be safe and effective for all skin types, ensuring that individuals with darker skin can benefit from hair removal without risking pigmentation changes.
8. Precise Treatment
is an ideal treatment option for removing specific hairs in a particular area or on a small section of skin like eyebrows, chin, and around the lips. Lasers can target individual hair follicles with great precision, making it possible to focus on delicate areas without damaging the surrounding skin. This precision ensures only the hair is affected, leaving the skin unharmed.
9. Promotes Beautiful Skin
Laser treatments also reduce the frequency and severity of acne breakouts, improving tone and texture while preventing dark marks secondary to skin irritation. By reducing the need for frequent shaving or waxing, laser hair removal helps keep the skin smooth and free from irritation. It also leads to even skin tone and reduces pigmentation issues caused by hair removal.
10. Most Convenient
Your laser hair removal treatment is the most convenient. It saves quite a lot of time, which otherwise you would have spent on grooming. Instead of spending hours every week shaving, waxing, or plucking, laser treatments significantly cut down your grooming routine, giving you more free time to enjoy other activities.
The Procedure: What to Expect
A laser emits light that is absorbed by the melanin pigment in the hair during the laser hair removal treatment. This light energy is converted to heat. And which damages the tube-shaped sacs within the hair follicles. As a result, lasers damage, inhibit. Or delay further hair growth.
Laser hair removal procedure typically requires anywhere between two to six sessions. The interval between treatments usually varies depending on the location. The treatment is generally repeated in four to eight weeks on areas like the upper lip where hair proliferates.
The doctor will press a laser instrument device on your skin during the procedure. A cooling appliance attached to the instrument’s tip will protect the skin and lessen the risk of side effects. When activated, A laser beam will pass through the skin to the hair follicles.
Treating a small area like the upper lip takes only a few minutes. Patients usually observe redness and swelling for a few hours after the procedure. One should apply ice to the treated area. It reduces discomfort. Hair will not fall out immediately after the process. You will have to wait for days to weeks.
Ideal Candidates for Facial Laser Hair Removal
Several factors go into the making of a good candidate for laser hair removal. These include hair and skin types. The ideal type for laser hair removal is coarse and dark hair. With technological advancements, laser hair removal is also suitable for lighter hair.
The best contender for laser hair removal are individuals with pale skin and dark hair. The light skin and dark hair combination allow melanin to be easily targeted.
Other Facial Hair Removal Options
Other options for removing unwanted facial hair include the following:
- Waxing: It helps in removing the unwanted hair by the root with melted wax. It is applied to the skin and then quickly removed.
- Tweezing or Threading: You can use a long, tight strand to loop around and remove individual unwanted hair. However, this method can cause pain and redness.
- Electrolysis: This procedure applies an electric current at the root of the hair follicle. And the hair will stop growing after repeating the process several times.
Results significantly vary from one person to another undergoing laser hair removal treatment. And though it does not guarantee a permanent solution, hair is usually finer and lighter in color when they regrow.