The sun is shining, the air is warm(er) and I’m sure some of you have started dreaming about summer time! Don’t worry - we totally have too. That might have gotten you thinking about your hair removal situation. Maybe you haven’t done too much in that arena over the colder months, or maybe you’re hoping for something that will last a little longer.
This is the time of year that we see our laser packages really take off. I mean, who doesn’t want smooth skin with zero effort? Little to no hair is the dream for those beach days! But before you hurry in to get zapped, you may want to consider a few things, because there are some people who aren’t exactly the best candidates for laser.
Laser loves light skin and dark hair.
That being said, darker skin tones and light coloured hair aren’t exactly the best candidates for a successful laser treatment. I’ve explained this a few times, but laser works by targeting the pigment in your hair and sending the energy down into the follicle to stop hair growth. So, with that thought in mind, take a look at the hair you’re hoping to get rid of - if you can see it easily against your skin you may be a good candidate!
If your hair is dark and your are on the lighter end of the skin tone spectrum, you’re a great candidate for laser! But, if you have red or grey/white hair, unfortunately it’s not going to work for you. These hair colours do not have enough pigment in them to attract the laser and be effective. Essentially, you would be putting yourself through a whole lot of pain for nothing.
If you have dark hair, but a darker skin tone, you might be able to have it done, but you can expect that it’s going to take longer than just one package. If you’re not sure, or have further questions, book yourself a consultation so we can go over your options with you!
Certain medications, specifically acne meds, can make you light sensitive, and therefore unable to get laser.
Laser is very highly concentrated light waves. If you’re on medication that doesn’t even allow you to be in the sun, you cannot get laser done. The most common medications include Retin-A and Salicylic Acid.
To be safe, if you’re on any medications, oral or topical, prescribed by your doctor, check with your doc or pharmacist before starting laser treatment. Medications that increase photosensitivity can cause you to burn badly from the laser. It’s much better to be safe than sorry!
Hormonal imbalances can make laser difficult.
I don’t think anyone is immune to the effects of imbalanced hormones. I mean, we’ve all had a nasty pimple or zit that popped up on our jawline thanks to that monthly visitor some of us get. But hormone imbalances go farther than that.
If you know that you have a hormone imbalance, it may be difficult to get rid of unwanted hair, especially on your face and jawline. The cheeks, chin and jawline are where your hormonal imbalances will ‘show’ themselves. While it’s not impossible to get rid of hair with these imbalances, it will be difficult. You may find that the hair goes away… only to come back a few months post treatment.
Once your hormones are in a more balanced state, laser treatment may be an option! But it’s always a good idea to talk to your doc if you’re on any medications to ensure that this is the right route for you!
Pregnancy.
Flat out - you cannot get laser if you are or may be pregnant. If there is even a chance you may be pregnant, wait until you know for sure one way or another before starting your laser treatment. It’s also recommended that if you are trying to get pregnant to stop your treatments.
And once baby is here, it is not recommended to continue laser if you are breastfeeding. Don’t worry though - if you started laser before you got pregnant and had to put it on pause, you won’t lose progress! Yes, you may notice that during your pregnancy you have some extra hair, but once baby is here that extra fuzz will fall out.
It’s also important to remember that post-baby your body will still be levelling out it’s hormones. It’s not a terrible idea to wait until you feel they have balanced out to begin your treatment again.
There are lots of reasons why we highly suggest laser to our clients, but it’s always a good idea to talk to one of our laser techs about your specific situation before signing up for a package. You may need more sessions than just the 6 offered with your package or you may not be a great candidate at all!
If you’re unsure about what kind of candidate you are, our laser consultations are always free! You can book online or get in touch with us to book in!