Regardless of society’s expectations, sometimes women don’t want to deal with their unwanted hair anymore. Regular waxing appointments get expensive over time, shaving every so many days is time consuming, and tweezing at home is painful. Thankfully, there are other methods that offer permanent results, like laser hair removal. This type of procedure is available at spas and salons, and uses a concentrated light to beamed into the hair follicle to destroy the hair.

Before you book your laser hair removal appointment, consider the following tips:

1. Check credentials

Laser hair removal requires training and is a medical procedure. You need to check the credentials of the person performing the procedure. When undergoing this procedure you need to avoid other forms of hair removal like plucking, waxing, electrolysis for six weeks before the treatment. The laser targets the roots of the hair. You also need to avoid exposure to the sun as the sun makes it less effective and also creates complications in the treatment.

2. How it works

The laser treatment is used to remove unwanted hair on the legs, arms, face, underarms, and other areas. It is a very precise method and can easily select dark hair follicles without damaging the skin. The pulse is only for a fraction of a second and can treat any body hair in a few seconds. It covers an area about the size of a quarter every second. Small areas can be covered in a minute and large areas an hour or so. Permanent hair loss needs three to seven sessions.

3. Before and during treatment

The hair in the area under treatment is trimmed short to just above the skin. The laser is adjusted according to the location of the hair, its color and thickness as well as skin color. You need to wear appropriate eye protection during the treatment. You also need to protect the skin with a cooling device or a cooling gel, which also helps the laser to penetrate the skin.

After treating the area the technician watches the skin area to make sure it best setting was used and check if there was any reaction. After the procedure you are given anti-inflammatory lotion or creams or ice packs or cold water to ease any discomfort. Next treatment is scheduled after six weeks and treatment is given until the hair stops growing.

4. What to expect afterwards

The skin after the treatment looks as if it sunburned; you need to apply moisturizers and use cool compress which helps with the same. If you have taken treatment on the face you can wear makeup the next day. The entire next month the hair that is treated falls out. You will need to wear sunscreen to prevent temporary discoloration of the skin for a month after the treatment. Those who have dark complexion may face the problem of blisters, or scarring, redness, or swelling. Permanent scarring or skin discoloration is rare experienced by women.

5. Cost

Each session of laser hair removal is around $235 US for each session. The cost depends on where you are located, which doctor or technician is performing the procedure, the number of treatments you will undergo, and the size of the area that is being treated and the time required to treat it.