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Shaving your legs every other day, or managing regular wax appointments, can be a hassle that you would really rather do without.

In that case, you have probably already looked into the ins and outs of laser hair removal.

In any case, with any treatment, it’s best to know what you’re getting yourself into so that, should you decide to go the laser hair removal route, you know what you’ll be getting out of it.

Off the bat, Skin Renewal advises not to throw out your razor just yet. That’s because you’ll need a series of laser hair removal appointments before you start seeing silky smooth, fuzz-free results and your therapist may even ask you to shave before seeing them.

Embarking on a laser hair removal journey takes time and money so, it is best to think of it as a long-term investment, and not like short-term spending.

For hair removal candidates, 8 to 12 treatments are recommended at 4 to 6-week intervals. This is a guide, though, and not a rule. At the end of the day, the number and frequency of treatments will depend on the individual and area/s being treated.

It takes two or three weeks after your first treatment to see a difference – especially with finer, less noticeable hair growth.

For best results (AKA getting real value for your money), you can’t skip an appointment or move them around too much. Why? Well, come appointment time, your hair follicles are all at different stages of their growth, so you want to make sure each one has a chance to get zapped. If you stop and miss the ‘zapping’ window (hair in its active growth stage), your hair will grow back.

Now for the big question – Is it painful?

Laser hair removal works by sending the light of a laser (which converts to heat) through the pigment in the hair, damaging the hair follicle and hair bulb in a controlled way. You can expect a quick, sharp pain, which will be more heightened on thinner skin – for example, near the nose, chin and temples.

An experienced therapist will help to minimise the pain and discomfort, though, knowing how to numb with ice, and how to mentally prepare you for each step of the treatment.

Plus, as a woman, hormone levels, particularly the phase one might be in her menstrual cycle, and body temperature plays a key role in how painful or painless a treatment feels. If you’ve ever wondered why a bikini wax was more sore one month compared to another before, then it’s helpful to know that these elements of our body play can make things more eina.

What to do before your appointment:

• Cleanly shave the area 24 to 12 hours before the treatment with an old-school, manual razor. Electric razors typically leave the hair too long.
• Arrive at your appointment free of makeup, lotion, deodorant and sunscreen if you can. Plan B? Take some wipes with you to remove all the lotions and potions beforehand.
• Stay out of the sun for 4 weeks before your appointment as areas that have been exposed to the sun (tanned or burnt) can’t be treated.
• Give the fake tan a break for a month before your treatment, and be sure to gently exfoliate the area you want to treat to remove all residues.

What not to do after your appointment:

It’s important to remember that the heat from the laser stays in your skin for 24 hours, which means no hitting the gym, sweating in a sauna or taking a hot shower. That’s because if you do get yourself ‘heated’, you run the risk of creating a cosy environment for bacteria to multiply, which could leave you with irritation and spots. It also makes the possibility of getting blisters post-treatment a bigger risk.

The same as with preparing for your treatment, you’re going to need to think seriously about soaking up the sun. While tanning before your appointment may mean you’ll have to wait until it fades to start your laser hair removal journey, sun exposure post-treatment may put you at risk of getting PIH, which will make your skin appear blotchy and uneven.

In terms of your skincare routine; scrubs, glycolic acid and retinol creams need to be avoided two to three days before and after treatment, and you’ll have to hold off getting a chemical peel or reaching for the fake tan for two weeks after undergoing laser hair removal.

Ultimately, for this treatment to be successful and safe, the hair needs to be dark enough to be drawn to the laser. Whether or not you’re a candidate will be determined by the technology being used by your therapist.

Contact the skin specialists and therapists over at Skin Renewal to find out more about laser hair removal for your particular skin.

As with any aesthetic treatment or medical procedure, be sure to do your homework and pick a reputable place – with a good track record and excellent reviews – with professionals who know what they’re doing. Because, if you’re going to let a laser near your nether regions, you’re going to want complete peace of mind that the experience will be world-class and the results worth every cent.