Sensitive skin? No problem. Laser hair removal might be your best choice.
How Laser Hair Removal Works
At Okanagan Skin Care Centre, we use the GentleLase system. A high-energy Alexandrite laser emits a long-pulse, gentle beam of light through your skin and directly to the hair follicle. The follicle absorbs the energy as heat, destroying it and preventing future hair growth while leaving the surrounding skin unharmed. Because the laser is attracted to the melanin (pigment) in the hair, it is optimal for pale skin and dark coarse hair, although darker skin can have effective results with the right laser. Unfortunately, laser hair removal does not work effectively on blond, red, or gray hair.
Pain Factor
As you can see from the description, whether you have sensitive, oily or any other type of skin doesn’t matter to the outcome. Of course, if you have sensitive skin, the word laser conjures up painful images! However, the laser has a cooling fan built in and the stinging is minimal. It has been compared to the slap of a rubber band when the beam is emitted. More sensitive parts of the body will hurt more, as to be expected, and the longer you wait between sessions the more likely it is to hurt.
To minimize pain, you may be able to apply a numbing gel before treatment and a soothing gel after treatment, and there’s always a Tylenol. Talk to your doctor first. You may still expect some redness and stinging after treatment but it typically fades quickly.
Is It Worth It?
If you have sensitive skin, laser treatment may actually be optimal. When done by a licensed professional, the risk is minimal. Pain and discomfort are on par or less than other traditional methods of hair removal, but the convenience may make it worth it. If you have sensitive skin, shaving or waxing means steady, regular, and frequent irritation! After your initial course of laser treatments, you will be hair-free for up to years, sometimes permanently. (While the laser destroys actively growing hair follicles, it does not prevent the growth of new follicles.)
Contact Us
If you have sensitive skin and you're interested in laser hair removal treatment, you can reach us by phone at (250) 868-9290 or by using our online contact form.
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