We’ve all been there; having hair in places we’d rather not. Some choose to get rid of it, while others just prefer saving the bush and staying au natural! For those of us who prefer to get rid of those pesky strands, we have different ways to go about it. From shaving to waxing, I’ve done it all. But since I discovered laser hair removal, there’s no looking back.

You see, there are some folk who believe certain things about laser hair removal, from it being unbelievably painful to getting burns and skin pigmentations afterward. I tend to disagree with this line of thought because I’ve been there and done that, and I’m still reaping the rewards. So, I thought today I’ll let you in on why I love this hair removal technique so much.

But first, what is laser hair removal?

Hair removal with laser is a technique that targets hair follicles with beams of highly concentrated light. The hair follicles absorb this light, which practically destroys them. Laser hair removal technique is not a one-size-fits-all kind of thing. There are different lasers and set parameters for different hair types, color, as well as skin color. The same laser parameters used on dark skin, are not the same ones used on a light-skinned person. Same goes for blonde, brown and black hair.

Here are some of the reasons I can’t stop preaching about laser hair removal

It’s fast

This technique of getting rid of unwanted hair is really fast, like super-fast. It takes a fraction of a second to zap a number of hairs in one go. For my armpits, it takes less than 10 minutes, both sides combined. As for the area above the upper lip, two zaps are enough.

Eliminates and prevents ingrown hair

Ingrown hairs can be a pain most times if not always. It simply targets those strands straight at the root and kills them in one go. It is most likely the only hair removal option that can prevent and eliminate ingrown hairs at the same time. And if you have sensitive skin or experience skin irritation from shaving or waxing because of ingrown hairs, then laser is the way to go. Also, it leaves your skin silky-smooth, without any bumps or roughness.

It is precise

Laser is best at selectively targeting the hairs you want to get rid of, and at the same time leaving the surrounding skin undamaged. For instance, have you ever seen some men with such a precise beard design you wonder how it was done? Most likely it’s laser (or a very precise beard-dresser).

It’s pain-free

Yep! So, that myth about laser hair removal being painful is just what it is; a myth. I have done laser hair removal countless times and I don’t remember screaming my head off (maybe a slight discomfort the first time I did my bikini area). But all in all, if you feel pain and burning sensations, then you should definitely question the qualification and expertise of your laser therapist!

Leads to permanent hair reduction

Laser has been marketed as a technique that permanently gets rid of hair, which is not true. What it does is permanent hair reduction. The more sessions you have the less hair grows. After about 5 sessions on my underarms, the only hairs that grow are wispy little things, sometimes I don’t even notice them.

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Takes a while for the hair to grow back

For me, after the first session of laser hair removal, it took about four weeks for some of the hairs to grow back. After the second session, it took 6 to 8 weeks, and so on (you get the drift). So the more sessions you do, the less you get to see your laser therapist or aesthetician (unlike some methods of hair removal).

How to prep for the procedure

Since the laser targets the root of the hair or hair follicle, it is advisable not to wax, pull or use depilatory creams. You need to have the entire hair in all its glory. Also, don’t sunbathe then go for laser (any laser treatment for that matter). This is because you will end up getting skin burns and skin pigmentation. But a good laser therapist will ask all these questions (and more) during your consultation, and he/she will advise accordingly. That’s why you should go to a certified laser therapist, with a good track record.

Before the procedure begins the target area will be trimmed to just a few millimeters above the skin’s surface. You’ll be given some protective eyewear so that the laser light doesn’t harm your eyesight. After the treatment, remember to protect the treatment area with sunscreen, otherwise, you might end up (again) with skin pigmentation. Finally, you might want to schedule your next laser hair removal session after 4-6 weeks.