Shaving stings every time, waxing hurts enough to make you hesitate, and so many people start looking into laser hair removal. But once you actually start looking, questions come up all at once: “How much area do they cover?”, “How many sessions will I need?”, “Will it hurt?”
Today, for anyone considering Brazilian laser hair removal for the first time, we will go through, step by step, what is good to sort out before your consultation and what to watch for after treatment.
How far does a Brazilian go?
The name “Brazilian” alone does not decide the treatment area. Some people only tidy the bikini line that shows outside underwear or a swimsuit, while others want a wider area.
That is why it is important to start your consultation by saying which area you want. You can also choose whether you want all of the hair removed or would rather keep a shape and tidy only part of it. The skin and hair are then checked, and the areas to treat and to leave out are decided together.
Why does laser hair removal take several sessions?
Light absorbed by the pigment in the hair turns into heat and is carried to the root that grows the hair (the follicle), and the laser works well only on hair that is in its growing phase. Hair alternates between growing and resting phases, and not all hairs are in the same phase at once. So treatment is given in several sessions, a few weeks apart.
Not all the hair disappears right after the first session. With each session the amount that grows back tends to decrease, and hair that does return is often finer and lighter. However, there is no guarantee that a set number of sessions will remove every hair permanently, and further maintenance may be needed as time goes on.
Results vary a great deal between people. How the skin and hair respond depends on the color and thickness of the hair, skin color, the area and the device used. Because the laser works by reacting to pigment, it may be less effective on white or very light hair. The timing of the next session is also decided by how much hair has grown back and how well the skin has recovered, rather than by a fixed date.
What should I prepare and share before booking?
How your skin reacts to the laser depends on preparation and health information, so please take care of the following in advance. Detailed preparation, such as when to shave, can differ between clinics, so following the instructions you receive when booking is the most reliable.
- Check when to shave It is usual to shave the hair short before laser treatment, because if long hair is left, the laser may not work properly. You will often be told to shave a few days beforehand, so check the timing in advance.
- Take a break from waxing and tweezing The laser works through the hair that remains in the root. Once you start laser hair removal, avoid waxing or tweezing, which pull hair out by the root, and shave instead if needed.
- Avoid sun and tanning Sun-tanned skin reacts more strongly to the laser, making burns or pigment changes more likely. Avoid tanning before treatment and take care to protect your skin from UV.
- Share information that affects how your skin reacts Let us know if you tend to scar or develop raised scars (keloids), or if you often get blisters (herpes) around the lips or genitals. We will also check the medicines you take, including acne medicines, the products you apply to your skin, and any recent dermatitis.
- Share whether you are pregnant and your past hair removal If you are pregnant, it is usual to postpone treatment. If you have had waxing or laser treatment before, it helps to know when, and whether you had reactions such as burns or pigment changes.
What is the treatment day like, and afterward?
During treatment you may feel stinging or a sensation like a rubber band being snapped, and afterward the skin may be red and swollen for a few days. You wear glasses that protect your eyes during treatment, and it is done together with cooling to soothe the skin. The bikini area is fairly sensitive, so some people feel more stinging there than in other areas; if it becomes uncomfortable, please tell us right away instead of putting up with it.
Right after treatment the skin may turn red and swell like a mild sunburn, which usually settles within one to three days. A cool compress can ease the discomfort. Until the skin has recovered, please follow these points.
- Keep the treated area out of the sun and do not use tanning devices
- Cut down on situations that cause friction, such as tight clothing, or heat, such as saunas
- Follow the aftercare instructions from the place where you were treated