Release Yourself from the Ordeal of Regular Hair Removal with Laser Hair Removal at Renew

01 November 2019

Does anyone enjoy hair removal? I think it’s safe to say it’s a necessary evil. Whether it’s waxing, shaving, tweezing or threading, we’ve all been there. We like to maintain a smooth appearance, free of fuzz, but with the hair growth cycle repeating all the time, it is never ending! And not to mention uncomfortable, depending on your chosen method. However, with medical grade laser hair removal you can stop hair growth in its tracks for once and for all – or as close to it as possible.

This week on the Renew Skin Clinic blog, we want to share some of the benefits of laser hair removal so that if you’ve been on the fence about whether to explore this option, you can make a more informed decision.

The Benefits of Laser Hair Removal

The most obvious benefit of laser hair removal is that it provides the only solution for long-term hair removal. Advances in laser technology have meant that most people experience a permanent reduction of 80 – 90% in hair growth after a course of 6 – 8 treatments.

As if that benefit alone wasn’t enough, there is also another great benefit of laser hair removal treatment - it can greatly improve the appearance of ingrown hairs. During treatment, you will most likely find that after your first treatment you no longer have problems with ingrown hairs. These pesky little side effects of hair removal are unsightly and can be quite painful so to be rid of them for good is a huge plus!

Is it Safe?

Understandably, some people have concerns about targeting a laser at their skin. In laser hair removal, the pulsed light laser is not on the UV spectrum so it does not pose a risk of ultraviolet light skin damage.

Further, the light targets not the skin but the melanin, or the pigment in the hair. The laser is ultra-specific and only delivers the effect to the hairs where it registers melanin. This means that the surrounding skin is not damaged at all.

As with all treatments on offer at Renew Skin Clinic, there are some instances where laser hair removal may not be the right treatment for you. This can be due to pregnancy, breastfeeding, some medical conditions or medications. However, your nurse will explore your medical history during your consultation and if there is any reason why laser hair removal may not be the best treatment for you, they will advise you of this.

Laser hair removal is a safe, tried and tested treatment, however, we always do our utmost to ensure our client safety here at Renew. If it’s not right for you, we will be upfront about this.

What’s Involved in Laser Hair Removal Treatment

At Renew Skin Clinic we use the Lumenis Medical IPL system for laser hair removal. It is a high-grade medical laser that delivers great results in about 6 – 8 treatments.

Your treatment length may differ depending on the area being treated. Naturally, the legs take longer to treat than a small area on the face, for example. For men, the back area can require some extra treatments to achieve the full desired results.

During your treatment, the laser will be applied to the area to be treated and an area about the size of 2 euro coin is treated each second. The sensation is often described by clients as similar to being flicked with an elastic band, but they say it is moderately painful and quite bearable.

Preparing for Laser Hair Removal & After Care Tips  

There are a number of things you should avoid before your laser hair removal treatment. These include sun exposure, fake tan, peels and any form of hair removal which removes the hair follicle. This includes waxing, sugaring, tweezing and hair minimising creams. As the laser targets the hair follicle, if this has been removed there is nothing for the laser to work on, so it is best to revert to shaving for 8 weeks before treatment.

As it is not necessary for your nurse to see the hair being treated and shaving the area provides a smooth area to work on, it is a good idea to do so a day or two before your treatment.

After your treatment, you will need to treat your skin with care for a few days. Remember, that the laser converts to heat in the hair follicle which kills it off to stop regrowth. This heat can make your skin sensitive, so it is best to avoid hot showers, working out and harsh products on your skin for 24 hours after treatment. Sun exposure is best avoided for the full course of treatment as it can change the amount of melanin in the skin and give uneven results.

What Else Should You Know

As we mentioned earlier, advances in laser technology have meant that more people than ever can now avail of laser hair removal. However, those with dark skin are not always ideal candidates as the amount of melanin in their skin put them at risk of burns. While some newer technology report to treat darker skin tones safely, ensure you check this with your practitioner.

An issue that can still pose difficulty is those with pale skin and fair hair. People with very fair hair don’t have a lot of melanin and this makes it hard for the laser to do its work. The ideal candidate is one with pale skin and dark hair as it is easy for the melanin to register with the laser. At Renew Skin Clinic, we perform a consultation during which we assess the melanin level in the skin and hair to be sure that laser hair removal will work for you. We will then draw up a treatment plan for you to achieve your desired results.

We do advise our clients to attend for one or two top-up sessions on an annual basis to maintain the final results. Other than this, your hair removal days should be behind you.

If you are interested in trying laser hair removal so that you can kiss your razor and waxing strips goodbye for once and for all, contact your local Renew Skin Clinic. We will schedule a consultation with your nurse and get you started on your way to smooth, hair free skin.