Laser hair removal for blonde hair: is it effective? How does the laser work? What to expect? And how to get laser treatment safely without side effects?
The laser treatment works better when the difference between the skin tone and the hair color is bigger. That’s why it works best for people who have fair skin and black hair. However, modern laser technology now can treat a variety of skin tones effectively. Can blonde get laser hair removal treatment too? That’s what we are going to discuss.
Table Of Contents
Laser Hair Removal For Blonde Hair
The laser targets the melanin pigment inside the dark hair. The more difference between the skin tone and hair color, the faster results will show. Blonde hair doesn’t contain a high amount of melanin pigment. However, scientists found out that laser works depending on the intensity of the melanin. Some laser hair removal devices are precise to treat people who have blonde hair and fair skin tone. This type of laser is suitable for grey and white hair colors too.
Hair growth has 3 phases which are: anagen, catagen, and telogen. The anagen phase (the active phase) is when the hair is growing. The catagen phase is when the hair growth is inhibited. For the telogen phase, the hair growth is stopped. After the telogen phase, the cycle begins again. The laser works on the hair growth cycle. That’s why you should have separated hair removal sessions to target certain phases of the hair growth cycle. If you target the hair in the wrong phase the treatment may not be effective.
What To Expect As Blonde
Laser hair removal works for a variety of skin tones and hair colors. However, laser treatment has risks and side effects applied to all people having the treatment. Search for laser and IPL devices that work for your skin and hair colors. It is better to get a device with a money-back guarantee to return it if it doesn’t work for you. If you are planning to have laser treatment at the clinic, talk to a professional doctor before your treatment session. The doctor will examine your skin to find the best laser and treatment plan for your hair color. There are many types of the professional laser at clinics. Having the right laser treatment guarantees the success and the safety of the laser procedure.
Regarding laser hair removal at clinics, the laser provider will begin by asking you a few questions about your medical history to ensure that you didn’t take medications that increase photosensitivity or interact with the laser used. You will be asked to wear protective goggles as the laser used in clinics is intense.
SmoothSkin Pure Device
Smoothskin pure device for home use may work on light blonde hair. However, it is not suitable for white blonde hair color. The device has a money-back guarantee. You can try it and return if it is not effective for your skin tone and hair color.
Pros
- An effective hair removal device
- Fast session
- Easy to use
- Suitable for full body hair removal
Cons
- Works corded
User Review
“It takes time to see results but it is actually effective. The results are great regarding facial hair” Said Mia.
Smoothskin pure IPL device is very easy to use. The design is elegant and easy to hold. It works corded but the cord is long enough to use the device for full body hair removal. Using the smoothskin device is very simple. Shave the area you are going to treat then plug in the device and point it 90 degrees on the skin surface. Zap the pulses while moving the device from one area to another. The laser used is not as strong as a professional laser at clinics. You will need more sessions to reach the same results at home. Having your own device is a great investment. You can adjust the treatment plan as you wish doing your sessions at home. The treatment sessions took around an hour for large skin areas and 5-10 minutes for small areas. The device is worth it for her and she recommends trying.
“Excellent, easy to use” Said Pacem
She tried another home laser device before but it wasn’t effective. She decided to try smoothskin pure after reading the reviews. The device adjusts the light strength according to the skin color. If you are new to laser hair removal, this device will help you. The user manual is detailed and includes everything you need to know before your first session. Besides, you can use the glide mode to treat large skin areas quickly. Use your device regularly to get the best results.
“Worth The Money,” Said Lulu.
She finished 3 sessions with Smoothskin pure. She can notice visible differences. The best way to use the device is to shave and drying your skin before using it. The treatment session is almost pain-free and you can use the device for full body hair removal thanks to the unlimited numbers of light. No need to buy replacement parts. She found the treatment session comfortable and she will continue her treatment plan until she makes a big difference.
“Amazing results! My favorite personal laser device so far” Laura Said.
She tried many IPL devices for personal use before so she has the background to compare results. Laura found Smoothskin pure easy to set and use. The device is lightweight and easy to hold. Plugin the device and press the power button to activate. Hold the device against the area you are going to treat. Press the flash button while moving the device across the skin. If you don’t position the device correctly, it will flash red. She has blonde hair and the results are amazing compared to traditional IPL devices. It is also suitable for sensitive areas such as bikini line and face. If your skin is too sensitive to light, you can use a lower energy level. You don’t need to wait for battery recharge or book appointments to have your hair done thanks to smoothskin pure IPL. great device and definitely recommended.
What Does The Treatment Session Feel Like?
The smoothskin pure session is almost painless. When you plug in the device and switch it on, you will hear the cooling fan whir. Slide the device from one spot to another while pressing the flash button. The IPL flashes are bright but they don’t hurt the eyes. No need to wear protective glasses during your treatment at home. However, if you can’t bear the light, wear goggles or sunglasses to help you. The flashes feel like an elastic band snapping your skin. It is less painful than waxing and more intense than shaving. You might feel the flashes more irritating in some areas more than others.
Most people feel more pain in sensitive areas such as the thigh and bikini line. You can adjust the intensity of the light to use lower energy for sensitive areas. We recommend starting with the lowest energy level then upgrading to higher energy until you reach the highest energy you can bear for each body area.
How To Prepare For Your Laser Session
Shave the area you are planning to treat before zapping with a personal hair removal device or going to your appointment at the laser clinic. If you don’t want to shave your face you can try dermaplaning. Your skin must be pure and cosmetic-free to avoid sensitivity reactions. Here are other important tips before your laser sessions:
- Stay out of the sun
You shouldn’t stay in the sun for a long time before your session. Besides, you can’t have laser treatment if you are tanned. Wait until the tan is faded before having laser treatment. Most professional laser providers recommend avoiding direct sun exposure at least one month before your first session.
2. Don’t pluck, wax or electrolysis
You should only shave before your laser sessions as shaving preserves the hair shaft and follicle. Plucking, waxing, and electrolysis may affect the laser results badly. The hair targets the hair follicle during the anagen phase. That’s why you should remove the surface hair without removing the hair follicle under the skin. Your doctor might advice shaving the area you are going to treat on the day before your laser appointment. We also recommend avoiding dyes to get the best results.
3. Cleanse your skin
Make sure your skin is free from cosmetics, lotions, creams, and moisturizers on the day of your treatment session.
4. Don’t wear tight clothes
After your session, you may find your skin more sensitive during the day of the treatment. Wearing tight cloth might cause redness and skin inflammation. Too tight clothes will make you uncomfortable and might cause skin itches. That’s why you should wear loose-fitting clothes after your session.
5. Consider your beauty regime
You shouldn’t use scrubs, glycolic acids and any products that contain retinol and retinol derivatives. In general, you should avoid all products that contain vitamin A derivatives at least 2 days before your treatment session. These products increase skin sensitivity to light which might cause skin burns. If you do chemical peels to your skin, you should wait for two weeks before having laser hair removal treatment.
6. Use sunblock
If you have to go out in sunny days you should use a broad-spectrum sunblock. We recommend using a sunblock that has SPF 30 or higher to protect your skin.
7. Avoid products that increase photosensitivity
If you use any topical products that contain hydroxy acids, salicylic acids, retionls or benzoyl peroxide, wait at least 3 days before your laser hair removal session. you should consult your doctor first. We recommend using a gentle cleanser to make sure your skin is free from products
8. Avoid botox injections and fillers
You shouldn’t do botox treatment, microdermabrasion and chemical peels for at least 2 weeks before your appointment.
How To Get Better Results?
In order to get the desired results, you have to use the device as directed. If you are removing unwanted hair using a personal hair removal device, you should keep it on the schedule. The laser and IPL work on inhibiting the hair growth cycle. You should give the hair a chance to growth then shave it before your laser session to get fast results. For laser hair removal at home, you will need to do sessions every 2 weeks. Laser hair removal for blonde hair at clinics needs fewer sessions. You may need to visit the clinic once every 6 weeks for 10-12 months to finish the initial treatment.
FAQs
What Are The Hair Types?
The hair that grows on our body has 2 types which are: the vellus hair and the terminal hair. The short thin hair is called vellus hair. It is hard to notice and cover the whole body (it doesn’t cover our palms and feet). The thick visible hair is called terminal hair. It is easier to see and contains a higher percentage of pigment. It is found on arms, legs, armpit, and bikini lines. The laser treatment is more effective on terminal hair.
Why Laser Hair Removal Wasn’t Effective For Blond Hair Before?
The laser works as a source of heat to inhibit the growth cycle of unwanted hair. The darker is the hair, the more successful is the treatment. The laser used before wasn’t effective in identifying the difference between blonde hair and fair skin. Dark hair tone responds to laser and IPL better than lighter hair colors. The red hair contains a type of melanin called pheomelanin. This melanin doesn’t absorb IPL and laser. While the very light blond hair and white-blonde hair contain a small percentage of eumelanin and pheomelanin pigments. These pigments weren’t enough to absorb the light used regarding traditional laser sources. The grey hair and white hair are melanin-free. That’s why IPL and laser are not effective -till today- on grey and white hair colors as these colors don’t absorb light. Today, the Alexandrite laser works best for people who have blonde hair. It blasts the hair with the required amount of pigment before the actual laser hair removal treatment.
Besides, there are modern laser technologies such as Nd:YAG laser which is effective in removing blonde hair without pigmenting it first. this type of laser uses a longer wavelength than the traditional laser which makes it more precise and more effective.
What Are The Possible Side Effects?
Laser hair removal for blonde hair is generally safe. However, there are a few side effects that might happen. These side effects are rare and don’t happen to most people:
Some people might feel skin redness or itchy after the treatment session. These side effects usually fade away within 24 hours. There are very rare side effects of laser hair removal such as skin darkening, skin burns, inflammation, and swelling around the hairs removed. Scaring is also a very rare side effect. If you noticed any change that lasts more than 48 hours after your laser session, consult your doctor. Paradoxical hypertrichosis is an extremely rare side effect. This condition means an increase in the hair growth number. The reasons for this condition are not clear and it happens more often with people who suffer from hormonal disturbance. In general, laser hair removal is safer than traditional hair removal methods.
Read also: Fasbruy IPL Hair Removal Models [Ultimate Review]
Read also: Is Baivon IPL Hair Removal Really Effect
Visit Your Doctor First
Not all skin and hair types are the same. That’s why you should visit your doctor before doing laser hair removal for blonde hair. Although laser treatment is safer than before especially when using a personal IPL device at home, you should consult your doctor first. If you are planning to have laser treatment at a spa or clinic, make sure the person doing the treatment is a registered doctor or nurse who is qualified enough to do laser treatment. The laser machine’s light is intense and must be used by someone qualified to run the session.
Read also: Artolf Hair Removal Device for Permanent Results
Read also: Xsoul Hair Removal At Home
Hint: Philips release the new model of Lumea 2021 check our full review here Reviews For Philips Lumea 9000 Series
Conclusion
Laser hair removal is becoming more and more common. When this technology came it was restricted to people who have dark and brown hair colors. However, the new laser technology is effective on blonde and white hair colors too. Reputable laser clinics use advanced laser technology to target the melanin inside the blonde hair without affecting the skin around it. The light used is precise and intense enough to target the melanin inside the hair follicle. The laser actually works for people who have blonde hair. However, you will need more sessions compared to people who have dark skin as the difference between your skin tone and hair color is not high. Your doctor will tell you exactly how many sessions you need. Visit a laser hair removal clinic to find a suitable treatment plan for you.
Read also: Smoothskin Pure IPL Device: Is It Worth It?
Read also: Does Bosidin Hair Removal Work?
sources:
https://www.mcleanclinic.com/blog/hair-removal/laser-hair-removal-blonde-hair-5-things-know/
