Tasha Herrgott
What if you never had to shave or wax again? We know—it sounds way too good to be true. But with advancements in laser hair removal, it’s now not only possible, but also affordable to have the hair on your body removed permanently.
Of course, you’ve got questions. We did too! So we turned to the experts at Milan Laser Hair Removal—a company founded by two board-certified MDs—to get all the answers.
Nashville Lifestyles: What is laser hair removal?
Milan Laser Hair Removal: It’s just what it sounds like! A single wavelength of light targets and destroys hair follicles. It does this by detecting melanin, which gives hair its color. This does mean that the hair follicle needs to have some color in order for laser hair removal to work - so peach-fuzz or white hair is not a good candidate for laser. The good news is, that advances in laser technology have made it a viable option for all skin tones.
NL: How long does laser hair removal last?
Supplied
MLHR: The results of each laser hair removal treatment are permanent when done properly. For most people it takes 7-10 laser sessions to remove all the hair completely, but most start noticing thinner, lighter hair after just a few sessions.
One caveat: Hormonal changes—which affect many women at some point in their lives due to pregnancy, menopause or other issues—can cause hair to grow back in some areas. That’s why a lifetime guarantee like Milan offers with the exclusive Unlimited Package is a good bet if you’re concerned about this possibility.
NL: Is laser hair removal painful?
MLHR: Laser hair removal is not painless. But, if you’ve ever gotten a bikini wax, a tattoo or even a nasty nick shaving, it’s nothing you can’t handle. Milan’s laser treatment includes a cooling mist that immediately soothes skin, which decreases the pain significantly.
NL: What do I need to know before I go for my first treatment?
You’ll need to discontinue any tanning—natural or sunless—up to 10 days before your appointment. On the day of or the day before, you’ll shave the area you’re having treated and that's it!
NL: This is embarrassing, but … what if I have ingrown hairs when I go in for a treatment?
No worries! The laser can go right over those areas, so it won’t affect your treatment in any way. (And you’re going to have a lot fewer ingrown hairs over the course of your treatment, hooray!)
NL: What if I have a tattoo?
MLRH: It’s not recommended to have laser hair removal on areas that are tattooed. But it’s fairly easy to work around them so, say, that ankle tattoo you got on your 18th birthday won’t preclude you from having laser hair removal on your legs.
NL: Are there any risks I should know about?
MLRH: The risks of side effects from laser hair removal are small and almost entirely preventable by following the instructions before your treatment. Hyperpigmentation can occur if you’ve tanned recently, so it’s important that you be at your natural base color when you have a treatment. Laser hair removal has been FDA-approved for 20 years, so its safety is well-documented.
NL: What’s the difference between IPL and laser hair removal?
MLRH: You may have heard a friend sing the praises of IPL for skin problems or even hair removal. It’s important to know that while IPL (intense pulsed light) is a form of light therapy, it’s not the same as a laser, which operates on a single wavelength. IPL works on multiple wavelengths, which is why it is used in so many ways. But when it comes to hair removal, IPL treatments are not permanent—hair typically returns in 5-6 months. Most people also report that IPL is more painful. When it comes to permanent hair removal, you want a laser treatment, not IPL. The cost may seem higher upfront, but it’s far cheaper in the long run!
NL: Speaking of money … how does the cost compare to waxing or shaving?
MLRH: If you think about how many decades most women spend dealing with hair removal, it’s a no-brainer to at least consider a permanent solution. It’s estimated that women shave an average of 100x a year—that’s a lot of razors! (Especially when you factor in the pink tax.) Waxing, though you do it less frequently, costs an average of $24,000 over a lifetime. Now think about spending a fraction of that on a permanent solution - for instance at Milan everyone qualifies for a no-interest payment plan and payments can be as low as $29 a month
NL: What have I been waiting for?
MLHR: We’re asking ourselves the same question! Learn more about laser hair removal at milanlaser.com.