Body hair has always been Asian girls’ worst foe… some love it, but the majority just despise the sight of it. Shaving or waxing are the two most common methods of hair removal that most of us practice. But did you know that laser hair removal is slowly making its way up the list of depilatory options? Yasss, gurl!
We now have the ability to permanently remove them, with minimal pain and discomfort, thanks to the advancement of modern technology (thank god, hallelujah)! Laser hair removal is a dermatologist-supervised technique that helps people get rid of unwanted hair. The method works by aiming laser beams on hair follicles and destroying their hairs. Breakthroughs in long-pulsed lasers have allowed this treatment to address not only dark hair on light skin but also darker skin tones.
Your doctor will choose the best lasers for you depending on the colour of your hair and skin, as well as the texture of your hair. Then they will proceed to shoot the beam directly into your hair follicle, seizing its production and having them drop off on their own.
Many local beauty parlors provide such services at a super-affordable rates, which has us yearning to get it done as soon as possible! (Imagine going from waxing and shaving every two weeks to 5 laser sessions and no hair at all! Comforting to our wallet and skin on an economic level! Of course, bear in mind that when you use an atas level service, you’ll have to pay a fortune for aftercare to keep it working.
So, how do we keep our hair growth at a limit while protecting our lovely brown melanin-rich skin? Go on ladies, keep reading down below…
Do not wash the treated lasered area with a cleanser or soap after treatment!
Post-treatment skin is usually very sensitive due to the high beam light shot into the epidermis of the skin into the hair follicle. So washing your face right after treatment, can either trigger the delicate skin that has experienced high mega trauma, causing redness or acne. So just wash it lightly with cold water, to cool the pain and sensitivity down. You have to be very gentle for the first 24 hours of post treatment.
Smoothen your skin with aloe vera gel & sunblock
Moisturise, moisturise, moisturise! The favorite mantra of beauticians! Living in a hot and humid tropical country, our weather is never consistent nor predictable. So your skin can be heavily damaged when you opt to not moisturise and leave it bare on a hot sunny day, thinking it’s gonna be oily and sweaty. Ladies lemme tell you, it doesn’t work that way.
Our skin needs constant moisturising with a shield of thick sunblock to keep it protected from the bad boy UV rays we are constantly exposed to! Plus, when you laser, your skin becomes even more sensitive and you could eventually develop terrible hyperpigmentation or scaring.
So be generous with your aloe gel and sunblock at all times! If you feel your skin is super sensitive to your products ATM… aloe our old lady will always have your back! Wear a thick application all over your skin at night before you sleep and wash it off with lukewarm water in the morning for best results. (100% gels are the best to yield an optimal result)
Refrain from sun exposure or heat treatments (spas, saunas & steam rooms) for at least 72 hours
The worst part of getting a costly treatment is having your skin damaged as a result of it. Do not expose yourself to sunlight for at least 72 hours to limit the risk of damage. This is solely for the healing and reconciliation of our skin’s top layer. As a result of exposure to daylight, your skin will become more susceptible to the light energy used in the hair removal process.
If you must be out under the scorching sun at all, use sunscreen that protects against UVA and UVB radiation and wear protective clothing (cap, fully covered attire)
After laser hair removal, stay away from hot water and heat. Because the treated region will be sore, uncomfortable and very very baby skin-like after treatment, it’s advisable to stay away from hot water and humid conditions to help your skin cure.
Never ever pick, scratch or thread the treated area
Waxing, plucking, tweezing, or any other kind of hair removal other than shaving is not recommended after a laser hair removal treatment. Waxing, plucking, and all other hair removal treatments, with the exception of shaving (which should not be done just after treatment), can all be used to undo the therapy (ie the treated hair follicles regrow).
Some people may feel a transient itchy sensation after laser hair removal treatment, though this is rare. If this temporary side effect occurs, do not scratch or touch the affected region. Scratching can lead to scabs, which can cause scarring. As mentioned before, aloe vera can be used to relieve inflammation and improve recuperation.
Phew… this may seem like a lot, but trust me, it’s worth it! This burden is only to be carried for a couple of seasons until your hair becomes really thin to almost invisible. And the treatments vary depending on the thickness of your hair and your after-care treatment.
