The Irreverent Guide to Male Laser Hair Removal

The decision to undergo male laser hair removal is a big step both emotionally and financially. Your expectations are high even though you may feel a little anxious about the process itself. Lets take a look at the whole process from preparation through your first treatment session to help understand what is involved and what to expect.

3-4 Weeks Prior to Treatment

Good preparation will improve the hair laser removal results by avoiding unwanted side effects, lessen the chance for pain and reduce the overall treatment time. Preparation for the laser hair removal treatment begins weeks before the actual procedure begins. The first steps involved prepping your skin and the area of unwanted hair to make them more conducive to laser treatment. You should discontinue all other hair removal methods such as tweezing, waxing or sugaring, depilatories and the like in the weeks prior to your start date.

This is mainly a precaution to eliminate any potential complications and improve the odds of success. Lasers for hair removal are attracted to the melatonin in the skin so the lighter the skin the better. If you regularly work on a tan, either indoors or out, you should discontinue this practice. If you have to be outdoors, use liberal amounts of sunscreen to protect your skin as sunburn has just the same effect as a tan.

Day Before Treatment

On the day before your first appointment, it’s recommended to shave the desired areas of all existing hair. Shaving the treated areas reduces the treatment time and will result in less discomfort and/or pain. The laser targets the hair follicle under the skin so any hair on the surface of the skin just gets in the way and reduces the efficiency of the laser. It also can cause the hair on the skin surface to burn, possibly burning the skin also.

The Day of Treatment

It’s finally time to get your first laser hair removal treatment . You’ve done your research, found a clinic that suits your needs, and performed all the necessary preparation. There is nothing else left to do except start the treatment. Let’s take a look at what you can expect.

When patients arrive for their hair laser removal appointment, they will ideally be shaved and clean. You should skip you normal routine of perfumes, deodorant and make-up, depending on where the hair removal will occur .This will greatly increase the chances for a successful treatment as anything left on the skin could adversely affect the laser as it targets the hair follicles.

Undergoing Laser Hair Removal

Laser hair removal is moderately painful depending on the type of laser used and the area of the body to be treated. The sensation of the laser pulse against your skin is similar to snapping a rubber band. Some users request anesthetic cream to be applied beforehand to minimize any pain or discomfort. These creams should only be use in small quantities and on smaller areas of the body such as eyebrows, upper lips, etc. Larger areas of the body should not use this cream as serious adverse effects can result.

Don’t be afraid to consult with your provider if you have any questions or concerns. Some providers discourage this practice so as not to affect the laser treatment. In that case, you can use Tylenol or other oral pain relievers.

The laser for hair removal usually works on an area of the skin the size of a nickel for each pulse. The operator will move the laser wand over the treatment area applying a pulse of light at each interval . the process is simple and fast and you should be through with underarms in about ten minutes. Backs or other large areas can take up to an hour or longer.

Your skin will most likely be red and irritated after the laser treatment. This is a normal reaction and nothing to worry about. Keep your skin well hydrated after the procedure and protected from the sun. The redness and irritation will disappear in a day or two. Aloe vera is widely used and works well in these instances or simply ask your provider which cream they recommend.

By following these basic guidelines, you should be able to resume your normal work-a-day duties immediately after your treatment session is complete. Your skin should resume it’s normal look and feel within 1 or 2 days. Don’t be afraid to ask questions or contact your practitioner if anything appears or feels out of the ordinary.