Laser hair removal is a popular cosmetic procedure for people who are tired of shaving. The process involves beaming concentrated light into the hair follicles, then the pigment of the hair absorbs the light. This intense process destroys the hair follicles and is used to get rid of facial hair, hair on the legs, and hair in the bikini area. Underarm hair can also be removed using laser treatment. The process allows for spot removal of hair without affecting the areas around it.
Recovery after Hair Removal
Typically, the recovery period after having hair removed by laser is not as complicated as one might think. As a matter of fact, the clinician does everything possible to reduce the time that the area being treated is exposed to laser beams.
Before the treatment commences, hair is trimmed so that it extends only a few millimeters above the surface of the skin. The patient is instructed to refrain from plucking or tweezing hair in the areas to be treated and to stay out of the sun in the weeks before treatment. These precautions are recommended to avoid complications that will impact the treatment and recovery time.
The recovery after the laser removal process is surprisingly short if the patient follows the pre-treatment recommendations. Immediately after treatment, the patient may notice some puffiness and redness in the treated area around the hair follicles. However, unlike recovery for some procedures, a patient may return to normal activities with few restrictions. Usually, a patient may return to work and other activities without problems.
If a patient experiences discomfort, the clinician may recommend placing cold compresses over the painful areas, and may also prescribe moisturizers. He or she may also tell the patient to stay out of the sunlight, and refrain from activities that could irritate the area where the hair was treated.
