At-Home Laser Hair Removal: Should You Try It?

Laser hair removal today is not just available at skin or laser clinics. With the popularity of at-home laser devices, many are now doing the said hair removal method at the comfort of their own home. Should you do the same? Do these devices can really zap unwanted hair?

The basics of laser hair removal

Laser hair removal uses a device that delivers pulses of laser light, which the skin’s melanin or pigment absorbs. Then, the laser light is converted into heat, destroying and killing the hair follicles. This disables future hair growth, resulting in long-term or permanent hair reduction. 

Multiple sessions of laser hair removal are needed to see visible reduction in your hair. The number of treatment required varies and can depend on skin tone and texture, as well as the amount and density of your hair. Touch-up treatments can make the treated area almost hair-free for a longer period. 

At-home hair removal devices

Many of the at-home hair removal devices in the market use laser or intense pulsed light (IPL). Both can remove unwanted hair, but are not as powerful as those devices used in skin or laser clinics. They can be a good alternative to traditional hair removal methods, especially if you’re sick of shaving and waxing.    

One main disadvantage of at-home laser devices is that they only work if you have dark hair and light or medium skin. If you have dark hair and complexion, the light may not be able to distinguish which is which. You should also know that lasers rarely work on blonde hairs.

Here are some of the other things you should know about at-home laser hair removal:

• It can save you money – it seems more cost-effective when compared to continuous cost of razors, shaving, and wax.
• You’ll need several sessions – you’ll need about five to eight sessions or more, with treatment once or two weeks.
• It can hurt – this is especially true in bony areas (ankles or shins), as there is little cushion due to thinner skin.
• Not advisable for sensitive spots – These include bikini line area and areas near the eyes.
• You need to shave first – this is required as lasers work by targeting follicles at the skin’s surface

Is professional laser hair removal better?

If you want a safe and effective hair removal method, it is best to see a professional. This is because devices used in clinics are more powerful and can therefore give you better results. They are also more effective in treating large and sensitive areas of the body, which can be quite the opposite for at-home devices.

You may also be glad to know that there are devices, like the CoolGlide Laser, which has longer wavelength and innovative cooling. This allows safe, effective, and lasting hair reduction results. The CoolGlide laser can treat almost any part of the body, including sensitive areas like the chest and bikini line. 

What you should know: While laser hair removal offers long lasting results, this cannot last permanently. This is because hormonal fluctuations during pregnancy, Polycystic Ovary Syndrome or PCOS, and other conditions, can result in new or extra hair growth. This will require new hair removal treatments.

Professional laser hair removal and similar methods seem expensive, but they can actually pay off in the long run. This is because they deliver better results and are cost-effective; especially if you consider the time, money, and effort, you’ll have to spend with other methods like shaving, waxing, and depilatories.

Cutis Laser Clinics in Singapore offers laser hair removal and other methods that deliver longer-lasting results like IPL and LHE (Light Heat Energy) hair removal. Contact our clinic today and schedule a consultation with one of our aesthetic doctors to find out which method is right for you.