Understand how Laser Hair Removal is performed

A full and healthy head of hair on the scalp is welcomed by men and women of all ages. A healthy and thick head of hair is often viewed by others as a sign that a person is youthful and successful. The same cannot be said for hair on other parts of the body. Patients that have dark or thick areas of hair on parts of the body such as the arms and legs often try to remove the hair through shaving and waxing. These hair removal solutions are temporary as the hair that is removed will grow back in the same area. In order to combat the appearance of unwanted hair, many patients have turned to laser hair removal as a treatment option.

Cosmetic Town TV has an in-depth look at laser hair removal and the results it can provide to patients:

Laser Hair Removal Procedure

Laser hair removal uses a concentrated beam of laser light to remove unwanted hair located on the body. During the laser hair removal procedure, a laser emits a light that is directed at the targeted area of hair. The light is absorbed by the pigment, AKA the melanin, in the skin and hair. The energy of the light beam is focused on the hair follicles. The hair follicles will absorb the light energy which causes them to heat up. They will start to burn off and this destroys the hair while also inhibiting or delaying future hair growth.

In general, laser hair removal is performed to remove unwanted hair in certain areas of the body. Some of the most common areas that are treated include the arms, legs, armpits, chin, the upper lip and the bikini line. The type of hair color, as well as the skin type of the patient, factor into the success of a laser hair removal treatment. Doctors want the pigment of the hair, as opposed to the pigment of the skin, to absorb the laser light so only the hair follicle is damaged by the laser.

Ideal Laser Hair Removal Candidates

When it comes to laser hair removal, there are a number of ideal candidates:

• Patients that have a contrast between their hair and skin color, such as light skin and dark hair, often achieve the best results from laser hair removal
• Laser hair removal is often less effective for patient with hair colors that don’t absorb light very well and this can include hair colors such as blonde, red and gray
• Female who have problems with unwanted hair in areas such as the face, stomach, arms and legs
• Men that suffer from beard rash after shaving that want to eliminate some of the hair they have to shave on a regular basis
• Patients that had a tummy tuck can see hair trying to grow through the scar and this hair growth can be eliminated through laser hair removal
• Patients with fair skin and hair that is dark and coarse

Laser Hair Removal Cost

The total cost of laser hair removal depends on the size of the area being treated, the amount of sessions needed to achieve the desired results, the length of the sessions and the area of the country where the laser hair removal is performed. In general, the cost of each laser hair removal session is $200-$400 and patients normally need anywhere from two to six treatments to achieve the desired results.

Laser Hair Removal Risks

Before undergoing laser hair removal, patients should be aware of some of the possible risks of the treatment:

• Pigment Changes – There is a risk of laser hair removal making the treated skin darker or lighter. Thankfully, these changes are usually temporary in nature.
• Skin Irritation – There might be some temporary redness, discomfort and swelling after laser hair removal is performed. The signs of skin irritation usually disappear after a few hours.
• Changes in Skin Texture – Some of the skin texture changes that might occur include blistering, scarring or crusting.
• Eye Injury – Because of the possibility of a severe eye injury, laser hair removal is not recommended for the eyebrows or the eyelids.

Laser Hair Removal Results

Once laser hair removal is performed, the treated hair does not fall out immediately. The hair will shed over a period of several days to several weeks. The reason many patients need multiple treatments is because hair growth and loss occur in a cycle and laser hair removal gets it best results when the hair follicles are in the stage of new growth.

The results of laser hair removal vary per patient. The results can last anywhere from several months to a year or two. The results are not permanent and the hair that grows after the treatment is fine and lighter in color. Patients can maintain the results by having regular maintenance treatments.

Laser Hair Removal Consultation

Patients interested in undergoing laser hair removal can schedule a consultation appointment with a board-certified doctor. The doctor will examine the patient to make sure the person is an ideal candidate for laser hair removal. In addition, the doctor can set realistic expectations so the patient will know the type of results that can be expected after the laser hair removal treatment is completed.

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