Itโs unfortunate that the place where most people complain about unwanted hair is also one of the most sensitive parts of the body – our faces. The delicate nature of the skin on the face can easily be the source of redness and irritation after removing hair by shaving or waxing, and itโs also one of the most challenging places to hide inflamed or broken skin.
Fortunately, men and women can use laser hair removal to safely and effectively remove facial hair permanently.ย
In common with laser hair removal on other parts of the body, several procedures (appropriately spaced out) will be necessary to target all the hair in a particular area effectively. This is because hair follicles grow hair in phases, and individual follicles grow unsynchronized, meaning that only some follicles are actively growing hair at any given time. The laser can only target follicles when theyโre in their growth phase.
Facial Hair Location
Men typically benefit from laser hair removal on the jaw, chin, cheeks, rear of the neck, and around the neckline. Women commonly use laser hair removal on their upper lip, cheeks, and chin, although some women are also prone to hair growth in areas similar to the typical male.
Laser Hair Removal Advantages
In common with laser hair removal in other areas, the procedure provides a very effective way to ensure that hair in selected areas will be removed and prevent hair from re-growing afterward. It does not involve scraping or abrading the skinโs surface and hence does not require any significant recovery time after treatment.ย
Laser hair removal allows men with particularly sensitive skin to avoid the continual risk of skin irritation and infection that can accompany regular shaving. It also prevents ingrown hairs following shaving, another significant cause of irritation and eventual infection. Even for men whose skin tolerates traditional shaving, the time and financial savings that result from removing the need to shave on a daily basis can result in considerable benefits.
Under some circumstances (for example, hormonal imbalances), women can grow unusually thick facial hair. Laser hair removal is incredibly useful in this case, as traditional hair removal methods risk not only allowing the hair to regrow but allowing it to become even thicker. Laser hair removal does not suffer from this drawback, as damaged hair strands simply fall out without being replaced by new growth.
Special Precautions
Although laser hair removal is safe and effective on the face, there are still precautions that need to be taken. Most importantly, find an experienced and medically qualified practitioner to perform the procedure. Itโs imperative to shield the eyes from any possibility of laser exposure, so the eyes should be covered if a laser is used anywhere close. Itโs also vital to use the appropriate level of light pulse energy – too little, and the procedure will not be fully effective, too much, and you risk burning or possibly even scarring.
As our faces usually are very exposed to sunlight, you will be given instructions to avoid direct sunlight exposure for several weeks prior to each laser hair removal procedure and wear sunscreen daily. This prevents skin color changes around your hair follicles, which could adversely affect the laserโs ability to target individual hair follicles effectively.
Given the increased sensitivity of some parts of our face, pain resulting from the laser light pulses could be a factor for some. An experienced practitioner using modern equipment will have several ways to minimize any pain or discomfort caused by the laser light pulses. These include anesthetic sprays and creams and cooling sprays or pads. Your practitioner should be able to manage your exposure to pain during the procedure.
Your Laser Skin Care
Your Laser Skin Care is experienced and medically qualified to perform laser hair removal, as well as a wide range of other non-invasive cosmetic techniques. We can answer any questions regarding your personal situation and can recommend the most effective (and cost-effective) ways to help you achieve your cosmetic goals. Call us at (323) 525-1516 to schedule a free consultation or visit us online for more information.
