Anita G

Laser Hair Removal for the Genital Area

Never has mankind been this eager to get rid of their pubic hair (or at least we hadn’t been so open about it!). Apart from the usual shaving and waxing, a new trend is gaining momentum – laser hair removal for the genital/pubic area. The procedure of laser pubic hair removal is, in essence, the same for both males and females. Technically speaking, it involves the direction of a high energy beam of light on the genital area for several very short time intervals. This beam transfers its huge amount of energy to the dark pigment in hair follicles in order to kill them off. The result is that it puts an end to the body’s natural hair growth procedure in that area.

Since laser beams are directly focused on your skin, there are some possible side effects; side effects vary with the complexion of your skin and the experience of the technician or dermatologist. Neither fatal nor permanent, the redness and swelling disappear soon after each treatment.

Contrary to the scare stories that we sometimes hear, laser hair removal for the genital area, or for any other body part for that matter, isn’t that painful. Laser pubic hair removal does create a slight degree of discomfort since the skin there is very sensitive but the swelling and redness goes away after a few days and common off-the-shelf skin creams can bring relief.

There are two types of genital area laser hair removal methods; partial and complete. By going for partial, you will still have to use another method to maintain any remaining hair so the majority of people who get laser pubic hair removal method usually choose a complete job.

Common types of lasers used for the genital area are;

Alexandrite
Nd:YAG
Pulsed Diode Array
Argon
Ruby

It is good to note that Argon and Ruby are generally being phased out as the wavelengths of other types of laser are generally more suitable for the skin. It is advisable that you check with your technician which laser they use and to carry out a patch test before committing to a course of treatments.

As far as the cost is concerned, it takes about 4 sessions to completely get rid of pubic hair with each session costing between $150 and $550. The total cost laser pubic hair removal will directly depend on the number of sessions you need; different skin types require a different number of sessions.

After you get your pubic hair removed, you will have to protect your genital area from direct sunlight for about 5 weeks to 7 weeks. That means no naked sun bathing!

People today are increasingly giving a preference to laser hair removal for genital area over the traditional methods of shaving and waxing. Laser pubic hair removal gives you permanent relief and also saves you from the problem of ingrown hair, blade cuts and pubic pimples.

What to Expect From Your Laser Hair Removal Appointment

Laser Hair Removal

If you are unhappy with unwanted hair, whether it is on your legs, underarms or just above your lip, you are definitely not alone! You are one of the many millions of women (and men) that have to deal with this inconvenience. Sure, shaving and waxing are effective but you may not have the patience to be shaving every few days or waxing every few weeks. Laser hair removal can offer a longer term option for hair removal but how much do you really know about the laser hair removal process?

This article will help you answer some of the important questions you have about the laser hair removal procedure so that you can decide whether or not it is for you and you’ll know what to expect at your first appointment.

Laser Hair Removal Pre-Treatment

At least 3-4 days before your first laser hair treatment, the clinic will carry out a patch test on a small area of skin. The patch test not only helps to determine if you will have any adverse effects from the treatment but it also helps the practitioner determine the level of laser energy needed for the most effective course of treatment and you’ll get an idea of how the treatment feels. Some clinics will charge for a patch test but it is a crucial step of the pre-treatment process so do not be tempted to skip it to save some money!

On the Day of the Appointment

Once you have the patch test out of the way and you and your practitioner are both happy with the results, what can you expect at your first appointment?

The skin will be prepared by using alcohol to remove any topical applications such as lotions, perfumes, makeup or deodorants. This allows the hairs to absorb the laser better and the alcohol serves to disinfect the skin.
Before the treatment itself begins, you’ll be given some special goggles to wear to protect your eyes from the laser.
If you choose, an anaesthestic cream or gel will be applied to the treatment site to numb the area and ease the pain of the treatment. The pain varies from person to person and will also depend on your pain threshold. You will have an idea of how painful it is based on your patch test.
The laser treatment itself is undertaken with a small handheld wand and the treatment lasts a few minutes for a small area and can take an hour or more for larger areas.
After treatment, the skin will be cooled down – usually with a cooling gel like aloe vera. Your skin may be red and a little swollen but this should disappear within about 24 hours.

The type of treatment needed depends on your skin tone and hair colour amongst other things so before deciding on laser hair removal, be sure to discuss the details of the procedure with your laser hair specialist to determine if the laser hair removal procedure is right for you.

What are the Side Effects of Laser Hair Removal?

Laser Hair Removal

If you are considering laser hair removal it is essential to be well informed before you begin any form of treatment. Although safe and convenient, there are some side effects ranging from mild to severe. The most common side effects tend to be mild but it is also important to know what the rare and more severe side effects are as well.

Most common Laser Hair Removal Side Effects

The most common side effects are temporary and will disappear in a few days or weeks. Redness and swelling around the hair follicles are typical and tend to fade within 3 days of treatment. Other temporary side effects include pain and/or tingling at the site of treatment.

Although rare, it is also important to know about the more serious side effects. It does not mean that these will necessarily happen to you! The incident rate of these side effects is very low although it can vary based on the experience of your practitioner.

Rare but Serious Side Effects

A temporary change in pigmentation is a possible side effect – either hyperpigmenation (darker patches of skin) or hypopigmentation (lighter patches of skin). The risk of this is increased if you have a laser treatment while you have a tan so it is recommended that you wait for your tan to fade and use sun block prior to having a treatment. Another possible risk is scab formation – if this happens, it should immediately be reported to your doctor.

Burning and scarring caused by the laser are also possible if the correct treatment is not chosen to suit your skin type. Different lasers are recommended for light hair vs. dark hair or light skin vs. dark skin and you need to discuss this with your specialist and it is advisable to take a patch test before a full treatment.

There is a risk of infection if the skin is damaged during treatment. If this is the case, you will be given a topical antibiotic to use for several days after the treatment. If you have a history of herpes simplex or cold sores, there is a risk of an outbreak following treatment but this can be minimized by taking appropriate antiviral medication before laser hair removal treatment.

You can reduce the risk of laser hair removal side effects by choosing a licensed practitioner that has several years of experience and a good track record with patients. Some medicines can increase the risk of side effects so discuss any medications your are taking with your laser hair removal specialist beforehand and you may be required to stop taking certain medications for several weeks prior to treatment.

Hyperpigmentation 101: What it is and How to Treat it

Hyperpigmentation

What is hyperpigmentation?

In simple terms, hyperpigmentation is where excess melanin causes areas of the skin to darken abnormally. The dark spots or dark patches that occur can be caused for a number of reasons and it can be difficult to totally get rid of it. Hyperpigmentation can be caused by scarring after acne, injury to the skin, over-exposure to the sun, or for hormonal reasons.

Types of hyperpigmentation

There are many types of hyperpigmentation and many causes. Some of the most common types of hyperpigmentation are:

Age spots – also known as liver spots or lentigines. These are caused by over exposure to UV rays from the sun over an extended period.
Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation – these are generally caused by some kind of “injury” of some sort or some other inflammation, generally cuts, burns, rashes or acne. Most of us have experienced this type of hyperpigmentation at some point. The dark scars caused by post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation can fade after weeks or months but in many cases, it can take several years.
Melasma – also known as chloasma. Melasma is a type of hyperpigmentation that generally occurs during pregnancy, estrogen is responsible for stimulating skin cells to produce extra melanin and this causes dark patches on the face. Melasma symptoms can also occur in women taking estrogen-based contraception or hormone replacement therapy.

Hyperpigmentation can also be caused by certain medical conditions such as celiac disease and Addison’s disease or as a side effect of certain medications. Some medications can cause the skin to be more sensitive to the sun, therefore further increasing the risk of hyperpigmentation if you are exposed to sunlight.

Hyperpigmentation is sometimes caused by friction and dry skin and can occur on any body part. Common problem areas are the knees, elbows, knuckles, underarms and more intimate areas such as between the thighs or around the anus.

How to treat hyperpigmentation

Hyperpigmentation can improve on its own it often takes several months or even years. Many people choose to use some sort of skin lightening treatment in order to speed up the improvement of symptoms. There are several treatments available in order to speed up the process and fade dark marks. You can find some product suggestions at the end of this article.

Hyperpigmentation can be treated with topical treatments such as skin lightening creams or with more involved cosmetic procedures such as microdermabrasion, chemical peels and laser treatment. Most of these procedures are carried out by a dermatologist but home treatments are becoming more and more popular. Microdermabrasion and chemical peels are no longer confined to the dermatologist’s office – it is possible to find milder treatments that are safe for the home but the instructions to still have to be followed carefully.

When it comes to skin lightening products, there are dozens available on the market. Skin lightening creams, gels, soaps and pills are common. When it comes down to which to choose, this generally comes down to personal preference.

If you’re using skin lightening products, be sure to use sunscreen

Melanin is responsible for determining our skin color and when the skin is exposed to the sun, more melanin is produced and that is why most people’s skin gets darker in the sun. If you are dealing with hyperpigmentation in a particular area, when these areas are exposed to the UV light, excess melanin is produced and that is why it is especially important to use sun screen if you are treating hyperpigmentation. Using skin lightening products to treat hyperpigmentation and not using sunscreen is just throwing money away. You won’t see the best results with any skin lightening treatment unless you use a sunscreen and I recommend that you use at least SPF 30.

Meladerm contains naturally derived ingredients. to safely fade dark marks. No hydroquinone, mercury or parabens.

Choose safe skin lightening ingredients

There are a number of effective ingredients found in skin lightening products. Some are safe and some can be harmful to your skin. The most common skin lightening agent, and one of the most effective is hydroquinone however, there is a lot of debate about how safe it is to use. Hydroquinone has been linked to a skin condition called ochronosis – a condition that causes permanent discoloration of the skin. Some lab tests have also shown that there may be a link between hydroquinone and cancer and further studies are taking place to determine if hydroquinone can cause cancer in humans. Currently, skin lightening products containing up to a 2% concentration of hydroquinone are FDA approved and available over the counter in the US but are banned in many other countries including the United Kingdom and many parts of Africa.

Even at low concentrations, hydroquinone should not be used for prolonged periods and if you need to treat hyperpigmentation over a period of over 3 months, I would strongly recommend using products that do not have hydroquinone as an active ingredient.

Other ingredients that are known to cause damage to the skin include mercury and corticosteroids. When choosing a skin lightening treatment, it is best to avoid these altogether.

Alternative skin lightening ingredients include arbutin, kojic acid, licorice extract and Vitamin C.

You can treat hyperpigmentation with ingredients you in your kitchen

Lemon juice applied to the skin is widely used as a home remedy for acne and skin blemishes. Lemon juice is really great at removing dead skin and brightening the skin over time. It does make the skin more sensitive to the sun so it is really important to wash it off and use sunscreen after. Better yet, use it before bed so you avoid exposure to the sun altogether.

Turmeric is a dark yellow spice common to South East Asian cooking. It is known to treat burns and reduce hyperpigmentation. There are a number of turmeric face masks you can make but the simplest is to create a paste with turmeric and lemon juice and apply it to the affected areas.

Potatoes also contain natural skin bleaching agents and chances are you already have some in your kitchen. Grate the potatoes, squeeze out the juice then you can apply the juice to the affected areas using a cotton ball.

Other natural home remedies include aloe vera and honey. Both have natural anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory properties that allow the skin to heal quickly with minimal scarring.

But what if you need to see faster results? Consistent use of skin lightening products will start to show results in as little as two weeks but 2-3 months is more likely. Anything that promises faster results is likely to be harmful to the skin so be sure to read those labels.

I have used Meladerm with great results on my acne scars. It took about 3 weeks before the results were noticeable to me but I used the whole bottle, which lasted me about 4 months.

Popular Hyperpigmentation Treatments

Meladerm – hydroquinone-free skin lightening treatment for dark spots and hyperpigmentation
Vitamin C Serum with Hyaluronic Acid
Retinol Cream Moisturizer

7 Questions You Should Ask When Choosing a Laser Hair Removal Clinic

Laser Hair Removal

Choosing a reputable laser hair removal clinic can be a difficult job. With hundreds of advertisements all offering pretty much the same thing, how do you know which clinic will offer you a treatment that will leave you pleased with the results and which will leave you wishing you had stuck to shaving and hair removal creams! Here are some vital questions that you should ask any laser hair removal clinic before you even consider making that first appointment.

1. What are your certifications/qualifications?

This is by far the most important question to ask. You need to ensure that the clinic you choose is qualified to use a laser. If you visit the clinic, the certifications will usually be displayed on the walls. In the USA, most laser hair removal physicians are board certified but other countries will have their own equivalents.

2. Who will perform the laser hair removal treatment?

You’ll want to make sure that the certified physician is who will be carrying out your treatment. It sounds obvious but you don’t want to find out the clinic has one certified physician and you get there and an uncertified technician will be doing your treatment. Ask about your physician/technician’s training and level of experience.

3. What type of laser do you use and is it suited to people with my skin type/hair colour?

There are many different types of laser and not all suit all skin tones or hair colours. Light skin and dark hair is the easiest combination to deal with when it comes to laser hair removal but this doesn’t mean other combinations cannot be considered. Make sure that the type of laser that the clinic uses is suitable for you.

4. How many previous patients have you had with my skin tone/hair colour?

If a clinic has a lot of experience treating people with similar circumstances to you, you are more likely to feel at ease going for treatment there.

5. How much does each session cost and how many treatments will I need?

This is to help you plan your budget and understand how soon you can see results. Ask this at every clinic you consider and compare the answers. Do not be tempted to go with one clinic with less experience just because they cost less and promise you will need fewer treatments but rather to get an understanding of roughly how many treatments will suit someone with your skin type and hair colour.

6. How much is a full consultation and patch test?

Every clinic should offer you a full consultation and patch test – some clinics will charge and some will not. Before laser hair removal treatment can be started, certain precautions should be taken and some medications will interfere with treatment and increase the risk of side effects so these need to be discussed at length during a full consultation.

7. What are the possible risks and complications and how do you address them?

Of course, if you’ve done your research, you should know the possible risks but ask this to see how well the clinic answers the questions. Their answers should be honest and medically based.

Before laser hair removal treatment, certain precautions need to be taken. You should not tan for several weeks before a treatment and certain medications would need to be stopped before you can have treatment. Discuss these in detail with the clinic

Choosing a laser hair removal clinic should not be rushed. Go with recommendations from friends and family, visit the clinic to ask questions and see if you like what you see and hear.

If you’d like laser hair removal treatment but in the privacy of your own home, at home laser hair removal might be an option for you. Home laser hair removal can still carry the same side effects so be sure to do your research before you buy an at home laser hair removal machine.

3 Reasons to try At Home Laser Hair Removal

Laser Hair Removal

Why pay thousands of dollars to technician or dermatologist when you can use your own at home laser hair removal system? Men and women have been opting for laser hair removal over shaving and waxing for years but many are now turning to laser hair removal at home. Should you also shift to an at home laser hair removal system and save thousands of dollars? Consider these three reasons to try at home laser hair removal.

1. Long Lasting Results

The removal of unwanted hair by common methods like shaving, depilatories or waxing can be very messy, time-consuming, and in most cases painful too. What’s worse is that these are temporary hair reduction solutions and let us not forget hair that grows back is a lot thicker with other methods! Home laser hair removal can be painful too but the best thing is you don’t have to do it as regularly as traditional hair removal methods. With many devices, you will see results within the first couple of sessions and you should be permanently free of hair within 6 months.

2. Lower Cost

When you weigh up the total time and cost of traditional hair removal methods against an at-home laser system, you will realize that an at-home system has a clear advantage. It is not uncommon for women to spend $25 a month on hair removal at home. Over a lifetime of shaving or waxing, this can add up to over $15,000! If you’re used to getting waxed at a professional salon, the cost can be three of four times more than that.

Laser hair removal offers a permanent solution but the high initial cost has put a lot of people off. With home laser hair removal, a more cost effective permanent option is now available.

3. Total Privacy

There is something priceless that laser hair removal at home can offer you – privacy! Research has shown that a large number of those considering laser treatment at a clinic are not comfortable with the level of privacy which a visit to the technician offers and of course that is completely understandable. Especially when we are talking about intimate parts of the body, there are some things which we just want to keep to ourselves! With at home laser treatment, you carry out the whole procedure yourself and privacy is guaranteed.

Bear in mind that the at home method does have certain drawbacks that need to be considered. For safety reasons, the laser used in a home system is not as powerful as the laser used at clinics. So although you can have your laser hair removal done at home effectively, it is going to take a few more treatments than it would take a technician.

The second problem is that an at home laser hair removal system is not advisable for certain skin types or hair colors. At home systems are typically only suited to light skin and dark hair. Follow the guidelines of the manufacturer and in any case, you should always carry out a patch test.

It is advisable that you do thorough research when choosing an at home laser hair removal system. With so many unheard of brands hitting the market, you will want to go with a tried and tested model. The TRIA Laser Hair Removal System is the most popular home laser hair removal system on the market, is FDA approved and offers huge savings on getting a course of treatments at a laser hair removal clinic.

Click here to buy the Tria Beauty Hair Removal Laser on Amazon.com

Click here to buy the Tria Beauty Hair Removal Laser on Amazon.co.uk