Common Myths About Laser Hair Removal

While many people engage in hair removal of varying types in order to get the fuzz-free aesthetic they crave on their face, legs, bikini zone, or other parts of the body, very few people enjoy engaging in the monthly, weekly, or even daily maintenance required by standard methods of hair removal such as waxing, plucking, shaving, or depilatory creams, just for example. Luckily, there is another option out there that could relieve you of this burden permanently after just a few sessions. If you’re looking for a way to lay down the razor or give up painful and expensive waxing treatments, then laser hair removal could be just the ticket. But first you should know that some of the things you’ve heard about the process probably aren’t true. So here are just a few myths, debunked.

1. One treatment does the trick. Sadly, this is far from true in the majority of cases. Laser hair removal is an intense and sometimes painful treatment, often requiring several sessions to zap every follicle. In some cases, this is due to the amount of surface area being covered (obviously, arms, legs, chest, back, and other extensive regions will take longer than, say, a bikini or underarm area). But the truth is that your hair doesn’t grow out evenly, so it could take several visits to find every stray hair.
2. Lasers don’t work on light-colored hair. This is only partially true. Lasers do have more trouble identifying white or light hairs because they are attracted to the pigmentation. And unfortunately, hair dye won’t help; it doesn’t penetrate to the root. That said, hair comes in a wide variety of shades, many of which can be targeted by the laser even if they technically fall under the category of blonde, gray, or white.
3. You’re in for a lot of pain. Everyone’s threshold for pain is different, so it’s difficult to say what the experience will be like. Generally speaking, however, you can expect that each zap of the laser will feel something like getting snapped with a rubber band. In addition, laser technology has improved so much over the last several years that the equipment in use today produces a lot less pain in general than the lasers of old. Plus, the amount of pain may depend on the area on the body you want to have treated – certain regions are bound to be more sensitive.
4. You can’t shave between treatments. While this is technically untrue, it is preferable to let your hair grow so that problem areas may be more easily identified during your next treatment. That said, you don’t need much growth for the laser to identify individual hairs. So if you’re keen to remain fuzz-free between treatments, consider using an electric razor that is likely to leave a little more stubble.
5. Hair removed by lasers is gone for good. Sigh – if only. Our bodies are fairly resilient, as it turns out, and your follicles may find a way to start the cycle of hair growth again. Luckily, regrowth tends to be minimal, and often occurs many years after treatment, if at all, at which time you may choose to undergo further treatments. There is no surefire way to keep your unwanted hair from growing back, but laser hair removal is the closest you can get to a permanent solution.