Those who are tired of regularly waxing or shaving unwanted body hair have probably considered laser hair removal. This treatment has become more popular than ever for the simple reason that it’s painless and semi-permanent, ridding you of bodily hair for a long time to come. But if you are considering laser hair removal treatment, it’s in your best interest to learn as much as you can about it. Like any beauty treatment, there are benefits – but there are risks as well. Here’s an overview of laser hair removal treatment: its benefits, risks, and more.

The benefits

Laser hair removal is popular because it does have some great benefits. One benefit is precision. With laser hair removal, problematic hair growth areas can be easily and precisely targeted by the laser, whilst surrounding hair (and skin) is not damaged. Another benefit to the treatment is its speed. With each and every pulse of the beam, a lot of hairs can already be targeted. For every second, the laser can go after an area as large as a coin. To give you a better idea: smaller spots like a person’s upper lip can be taken care of in a minute or less, whilst larger areas, like the legs or back, can be taken care of in about an hour. And, with as little as three sessions, the treatment can already have a permanent effect.

The risks

There are some risks associated with laser hair removal, and it would be a good idea to prepare yourself for these as well. For instance, a few days after the treatment, you may experience a bit of discomfort on the treated area, with the skin exhibiting a bit of redness. To reduce pain and redness or swelling, you can make use of moisturisers and a cool compress.

But there are more serious risks as well, especially if the technician performing the treatment is not adequately skilled or prepared. Some risks include blistering, prolonged swelling, and even burns and scarring. If your injury is severe enough, you may even have permanent skin discolouration.

What you should expect

The procedure, in and of itself, is simple enough. But, as mentioned, it has to be done by someone who is skilled and properly trained. The laser equipment used by the technician should be of the right frequency, and the technician is also expected to choose the right frequency based on a careful analysis of your skin, its colour, the thickness of the hair, and the hair’s location. If the technician has not done any of these and you have suffered laser burns and laser hair removal scars as a result, be it minor or severe, you should consult a medical professional right away. You may be entitled to compensation due to the negligence, inattention, or recklessness of the technician.

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