Unwanted Facial Hair? 3 Things You Should Know Before Getting Laser Hair Removal

Laser hair removal is one of the most popular nonsurgical aesthetic procedures that women clamor after. While this hair removal method can be used anywhere on the body, it is a favorite among women who want to get rid of facial hair. If you have facial hair and are thinking about looking into laser hair removal, you owe it to yourself to learn all you can about the procedure. Following are three things you should know before getting laser hair removal. 

Some Are Great Candidates

The ideal candidate for laser hair removal has dark hair and light skin. This is due to the fact that the laser targets pigment, the cells that give hair and skin its color. While some people with darker skin can successfully undergo laser hair removal, the results might not be as good as those achieved on a person with the ideal skin and hair types. People who are not good candidates include those with white or very light hair, as the hair does not have enough pigment to target. 

Side Effects Are Rare

Common, temporary side effects that you should be prepared for include redness, swelling and blisters. Although permanent side effects are rare, they do happen. Permanent side effects include scarring and changes in skin color. You can minimize your risk for side effects by following all instructions carefully. 

Laser Hair Removal Requires Upkeep

Laser hair removal is recognized by the FDA as a way to achieve permanent hair reduction. It is not recognized as a way to permanently remove all hair. Reduction refers to the treatment's ability to reduce the number of hairs that regrow after a session. While some women have reported that the treatment reduced growth or thinned out their hair permanently, some have experienced complete regrowth within a few years of treatment.

For this reason, you should never expect to have completely smooth skin forever after laser hair therapy. In most cases, it takes several initial treatments - three to eight - followed by periodic touch-up treatments to maintain the results achieved with this hair removal method. 

Laser hair removal is a great option for women who want to get rid of unsightly facial hair. If it appeals to you, don't hesitate to check into it. However, you should know that some people are not good candidates for the procedure. You should also be prepared to follow through with several hair removal treatment sessions. 

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