Is Laser Hair Removal Right for You?

Laser hair removals, processes intended to permanently reduce body hair, have gained incredible popularity within the last decade. Though it is FDA approved, laser treatment does not, as many assume, permanently remove hair. It does, however slow hair growth. Hair removal surgery is a major investment, so it’s important to understand what you’re signing on for before pursuing professional laser hair removal.

How Does It Work?

Hair removal surgery uses selective photothermolysis, the matching of a certain wavelength of light and pulse duration to effect targeted tissue without effecting surrounding tissue. In practice, that means that a hand held laser sends out pulsed light on the skin to seek out the dark color of hair and impair the follicle. Most lasers are equipped with cooling devices reducing discomfort from the light and protecting skin from potential changes in pigment. A certain percentage of follicles are instantly and permanently disabled with each treatment. It does take multiple laser hair surgery treatments to provide extended results.

Benefits of Hair Removal Surgery

• Though hair won’t disappear forever, it will be less noticeable and require less shaving. The Mayo Clinic reports that hair removal surgery reduces hair counts between 40 and 80%.
• Little to no hair growth is needed for treatments. At most, a few days of growth might be necessary.
• Hair removal surgery is not time consuming. Large areas can be treated all at once, so even a region as large as the back takes only about an hour.

Drawbacks of Hair Removal Surgery

• Though unlikely, scarring, blisters, and burns can occur.
• Hair removal surgery is quite costly. Each session averages between $200 and $900.
• Usually four to six treatments are required to achieve optimum results.
• Not everyone is a candidate. Because the laser targets darkness, those with dark hair and light skin are best suited for treatment. New lasers are being developed, however, to treat those with light hair and dark skin.

Does It Hurt?

Many compare the feeling to that of having a rubber band snapped on your skin. The pain tends to depend on the type of laser used, the person’s hair type, the body area being treated, and personal pain thresholds. The first session usually hurts the most, with pain decreasing throughout subsequent sessions. Those with thick, dark hair often feel more pain than those with thin hair because darker hair absorbs more laser light.

Laser hair removal will continue to advance, and in the space of even a few years it is likely that costs will lower and effectiveness will increase. Still, it remains a viable option for removal of pesky hairs and reduction of time spent shaving and waxing. For more information see this.