If you’re interested in permanent hair removal in a spa setting, you may be unsure whether laser hair removal is the best choice for you over other alternatives. It’s important to know the pros and cons of the procedure before deciding.
During laser hair removal, a special tool is used to zap the hair follicles with concentrated light, which destroys the hair when absorbed. This technique can be used on most areas of the body, including upper lip and face, legs, arms, underarms, and bikini area. Because the tool used is so precise, you can remove hair only from specific areas without any damage to the surrounding skin. The procedure is very brief, only lasting from a few minutes to an hour depending on how large the area to be treated. Though laser hair removal can be long lasting, it takes three to seven sessions to get results that last up to three years.
Electrolysis is also a method to remove individual hairs, either with heat energy or with a special chemical. Like laser hair removal, it is safe for use on most areas of the body and is done in sessions lasting between 15 minutes and an hour. However, each session treats only a very small area of skin, so you may have to return over a period of months and years to get the results you desire. Electrolysis is the only truly permanent hair removal method available.
Both methods are safe and cause few side effects beyond a slight temporary reddening of the skin. For laser hair removal, however, you need to allow your hair to grow for six weeks before treatment, and avoid spending time in the sun for six weeks both before and after treatment. In addition, not everyone is a candidate for laser hair removal; it works best for people with paler skin and light colored hair. Many people also report that laser hair removal is more painful than the relatively painless electrolysis method, though numbing creams are available to ease discomfort during the procedure.
When deciding between these two methods, you may want to consider the darkness of your hair, the size of the area where you want removal, and whether you want truly permanent or just long lasting results. Electrolysis tends to be better for small areas while laser hair removal is the best choice for larger areas like the legs.
At MacMed Spa, Salon and Medical, we offer different method of hair removal to help you get the smoothest skin possible. Our medical team will work with you to determine which hair removal treatment is the most appropriate for your needs. We can create a treatment plan that is customized to your needs. Contact MacMed Spa, Salon and Medical today to schedule your consultation.