Best Tips For Seniors Who Wish To Do Laser Hair Removal
We all know the time – consuming and painstaking process of shaving, tweezing or waxing all that unwanted hair on certain areas of our bodies. And then just days later, it comes back with a vengeance. Worse still, shavers and razors tend to leave cuts on our skin. How utterly annoying.
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And if you’re a senior, perhaps you’ve been telling yourself – There must be a relatively safe, not too costly and effective way to get rid of all this unsightly facial and body hair for good. Luckily, we can finally stop buying shavers or spending eons in front of the mirror, because nowadays there is a great alternative solution.
Laser hair removal will do precisely what you want. It penetrates those pesky hair follicles with laser light that latches onto the pigment, which then destroys the follicles as a result. It may sound and seem like a painful hassle, but laser hair removal isn’t really as complicated as many people assume. It’s actually a pretty simple procedure that only takes around 10-20 minutes each time. Additionally, during your appointments, your doctor will apply a numbing cream on the desired areas, so the pain and possible side effects should be minimal.
There are, however, several important facts and do’s and don’ts that you need to know and follow prior, during and after your laser hair removal treatments if you want it to have optimal and lasting effects. Listed below are some of the vital tips that you should know if you’re a senior interested in laser hair removal.
Stop Using Certain Medications Prior To Treatment
Laser hair removal treatments are incompatible with certain medications, such as most antibiotics, which are photosensitive. You will need to be infection free for at least one week prior to treatment. So if you currently have an infection that you’re trying to fight off, it’s highly recommended that you delay your treatment a few weeks or so.
Patients should also not be using skincare with strong active ingredients, such as retinoids and alpha hydroxy acids. These ingredients can increase skin cell turnover, which makes skin more vulnerable to the sun and prone to irritation during the treatment period. If you’re not sure whether your medication could negatively affect your laser hair removal treatment, consult with your doctor beforehand.
Attend Every Required Session
One of the biggest mistakes patients make regarding laser hair removal, is that they don’t complete the necessary number of sessions to complete the treatment. All too often, once the hair growth slows down, patients simply get lazy and don’t follow through. If you really want your treatment to be as effective as it can be, it’s wise to listen to your laser treatment practitioner and follow their advice/instructions. They are experienced professionals in their field, so they know best.
Shave Prior To Treatment
Yes, it may seem weird, but this is a crucial rule. Be sure to shave the areas you want treated beforehand, so that the laser can penetrate into the roots of the hair properly. If you forget or skip this necessary step, the laser is bound to miss the hair follicles altogether.
Furthermore, avoid waxing, tweezing, or bleaching the unwanted hair at least one month before and in between your sessions , because the roots need to stay intact in order for the laser to successfully destroy the hair.
Apply SPF Lotion Or Sunscreen Post Treatment
After each session, it’s strongly advised to avoid prolonged sun exposure. When you go out, use a sunscreen with the highest SPF level possible.
Doctors also highly recommend that you shave off any hair growth in between sessions. Whatever you do, do not wax or thread.
In addition, Aloe Vera lotion is also very helpful to reduce skin redness and irritation, so any side effects post treatment will be more tolerable.
Total Cost Of Treatment Varies
The price you pay per session of laser hair removal may vary depending on your particular provider and location. It can also depend on the specific areas you wish to remove the hair from. Considering that multiple sessions are needed to fully stop hair growth, it’s not exactly a cheap treatment. But if you’re fed up with continuing to use razors or heading to the salon for a wax; then laser hair removal can be seen as a worthwhile long term investment.
Plus, some service providers offer packages for clients purchasing several sessions at once, so it’s a good idea to ask if your provider has any available package deals.
Annual Treatments May Be Necessary
Since everyone’s hair and skin color are a little different, the laser hair removal treatments may work somewhat better for some than others. So keep in mind that you may have to go back after a while for a touch up treatment.
Final Thoughts
It’s important to note that, as with any treatment, laser hair removal has its share of possible side effects, such as redness, blistering, discolorations, and scarring. Although they are usually minor and gradually go away on their own, it’s still safest and best to check with your doctor to make sure it’s safe for you, especially if you have sensitive skin or any other skin related conditions.
