AUTHOR SYNOPSIS
Devon Nespica is a copywriter for the medical marketing company Etna Interactive who specializes in writing about cosmetic surgery, dermatology, and skin care. Devon has over 10 years of experience working in the beauty industry for cosmetic companies including Lancôme, Estée Lauder, Benefit, and Sephora. She also has more than 3 years of experience in publishing as the former editor of Central Coast Magazine in California.
Aging is blamed on a number of outside forces: pollution, sun exposure, toxins, and free radicals (to name a few). But as someone who has worked in the beauty industry for 10 years, I know the real culprit: procrastination. As a cosmetic advisor and freelance makeup artist for Lancôme, I hear all too frequently the surprised reactions of women who neglected their beauty routine only to be rudely awakened with tell-tale signs of aging:
“I just woke up one day and I had all these wrinkles!”
“It’s like I aged overnight!”
“I never used to have any problems; I don’t know what happened!”
Beauty is like fashion: you have to think one year ahead. Without proper preparation, you will undoubtedly find yourself in a situation that leaves you scratching your head wondering, “What went wrong?” So to avoid any future beauty blunders, it’s time to start planning today. And the fall season is a perfect opportunity to plan for summer with cosmetic treatments like laser hair removal.
Why Sooner Is Better with Laser Hair Removal
Many people make the mistake of waiting for laser hair removal until the spring and summer. However, being proactive and scheduling your treatment sooner is typically a smarter move. According to Dr. Susan Stuart, a board-certified <a href=”http://www.lajollaskin.com/about-us.cfm”>dermatologist in San Diego</a>, because the hair grows in cycles, multiple laser sessions are usually needed before full results are seen. She recommends that her patients undergo a series of 4 treatments every 8 weeks for complete effects. In real time, that means that if you started laser treatments this month you would be hair-free by next May – just in time for swimsuit season.
Dr. Stuart also mentions that her laser hair removal patients in San Diego are warned to avoid sun exposure between treatments, since the laser causes the skin to become photosensitive. Choosing a procedure during the fall and winter months, then, is beneficial because the skin is protected from the sun by warm layers of clothing. As an added bonus, long-sleeved shirts and pants mask any post-procedure redness or embarrassing regrowth between laser sessions (shaving is prohibited for the first few weeks leading up to treatment). No one will know that your skin is gradually becoming softer and smoother by the day.
For Best Results, Choose Carefully
It’s important to remember that a treatment such as laser hair removal requires the skill and precision of a trained, qualified professional. Lasers are highly sophisticated pieces of equipment, and if used incorrectly, can cause burning or skin discoloration. Rather than rushing into the nearest bargain beauty shop, research the qualifications of your treatment provider. Is he or she a board-certified dermatologist? Is the doctor familiar with laser procedures? What kind of equipment will he or she be using? Some lasers are able to treat a wider range of skin colors and hair types, such as the GentleLASE® used at Dr. Stuart’s office. More advanced technology means that you have better results, faster recovery time, and a safer procedure overall.
Photo source: Fall Colors, originally uploaded by Bahman Farzad.