With the surge of DIY projects seemingly taking over the internet, you may be wondering if at-home laser hair removal could be an effective alternative to professional treatment. But unlike many other DIYs, LHR can have adverse effects if not performed properly. Here are the top five reasons why you might want to think twice before taking laser hair removal into your own hands.
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Unless You’re Certified, Hands off the Laser
When you receive professional laser hair removal treatments, your laser technician needs to be trained and certified to operate the device. This ensures both your safety and the quality of your results, which should be your top priorities when considering LHR. Although at-home devices are designed differently than the ones you’ll encounter at a med spa, they can be painful or even harmful if not used properly.
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Sensitive Areas Require Extra Care
Perhaps tackling your legs is one thing, but what about those ultra-sensitive areas like your underarms, upper lip or even your bikini area? Because the skin in these parts of your body can be extremely sensitive, extra care needs to be taken to ensure your comfort and smooth results. When working with an experienced professional, he or she can take the necessary precautions to avoid irritating or even damaging this sensitive skin.
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It’s Going to Take Multiple Sessions
Whether you’re delving into at-home treatments or you’re seeking professional help, laser hair removal is going to require more than one session. If you’re scheduling your appointments with a reputable medical spa, you won’t have to worry about how much time to leave in between sessions, how many treatments will be necessary or what stage of growth your hair is currently in. These are all things that your certified laser technician can guide you through, leaving you with the simple task of sitting back, relaxing and watching your hair disappear.
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Get the Results You Want…the First Time
As with most things, the at-home version of LHR just isn’t likely to achieve the same smooth results as is possible with professional treatment. And what’s worse, if you do begin your DIY laser hair removal and find that it just isn’t working, you may have to wait an additional 6 weeks before you can let a professional take over. If you’ve decided that LHR is right for you, it’s best to get it done right the first time than to spend time and money on an at-home device that isn’t likely to yield the results you’re looking for.
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Get Professional Advice
Aside from your safety and the quality of your results, one of the biggest benefits of working with a skilled professional is that you now have access to an excellent resource for all of your laser hair removal questions, concerns and needs. He or she can guide you through each step of the process so that you know exactly what to expect before, during and after each session.
If you’re unsure of how to manage your hair removal in between sessions or how long you need to stay out of the sun, your laser technician can be your most reliable go-to resource. When it really comes down to it, the risks involved with at-home laser hair removal aren’t likely to outweigh the numerous benefits of seeking professional treatment and absolutely loving your new smooth look.
Caroll Delo is a board certified laser technician at Simply Smooth Laser Center in Tampa, a niche practice that focuses specifically on laser treatments. Simply Smooth Laser Center offers the most advanced options in laser hair removal, laser skin rejuvenation and laser tattoo removal.
