While many people don’t want to admit it, women having facial hair is 100% normal. For some it’s a layer of peach fuzz that you can only see in bright sunlight, for others it’s a stray hair here and there. Some women suffer from a condition called ‘hirsutism’, wherein the hair on a woman’s face, arms, chest, stomach, back, or chest is usually coarse and dark. Laser hair removal is a great tool for helping to reduce facial hair and regain your confidence (should the hair bother you), and we wanted to give you a guide to some things you should know so that your expectations meet the reality:
You Might Not Have the Right Type of Hair
Laser hair removal isn’t suitable for every hair type and if the technician who is performing your procedure is worth their salt, they’ll give you an honest assessment in any pre-booking consultation. If the hair you want to remove is coarse and dark, you’ll get the best results, but fine, fuzzy hair, as well as light blonde or red hair is usually not affected by lasers. If you are lucky enough to have the right type of skin, Medik8 Ultimate Recovery will help to heal your face after treatment.
You’ll Need to Avoid the Sun for a Few Days
Your skin will be irritated and need time to heal after your laser hair removal treatment. At this time, excessive exposure to UV rays poses a risk of skin damage, so avoiding sunbathing and tanning beds is absolutely essential. It’s also wise to use a high-strength, broad-spectrum SPF in the days after your treatment, such as Dermalogica Dynamic Skin Recovery SPF50 to ensure that your skin is protected at all times. It’s also wise to make sure you don’t plan any holidays in far-off, tropical climes for a few weeks afterwards!
Hot Environments Aren’t a Good Idea Either
While the main worry with sun exposure is the damage that UV rays can do, hot environments are also best avoided in the days after your treatment, so it’s best to plan it at a time when you can stay indoors in a temperature controlled environment. For an added helping hand in the healing process, SkinCeuticals Phyto Corrective Masque is designed specifically to be used post-procedure as it delivers intense cooling and calming comfort to skin sensitivity.
It Doesn’t Always Work
It’s important to manage your expectations when you have any type of cosmetic procedure and it’s worth bearing in mind that not everyone who has laser hair removal ends up with a face like a baby’s bottom. In some rare cases, laser hair removal may even encourage thicker, darker hair to grow or regrow in an area next to the one being treated! If this happens to you, don’t fret; Lycon Hair On Strike is a scientifically advanced formula with papaya and chaparral extract, proven to visibly diminish the appearance of unwanted hair growth after waxing, shaving, laser, electrolysis and depilatory creams.
You Need to Let the Hair Grow Before Your Appointment
Just as with other types of hair removal, your laser technician needs to be able to see the unwanted hairs in order to get rid of them. This means that you need to be prepared to allow your facial hair to grow naturally for at least a couple of weeks in the lead up to your appointment. If this is something that’s a deal-breaker for you, it might be worth assessing other hair removal options – of which there are thankfully plenty.
Last updated on 02/03/2023.