Laser Hair Removal
Laser Hair Removal is an aesthetic procedure which aims at removing unwanted hair from particular areas of the face and the body. In 2012, it came third in the list of the most commercial non-surgical cosmetic procedures and it still is considered as a very marketable operation; that comes as no surprise, since this specific operation is not deemed as expensive and painful today as it was 15 or 20 years ago, mainly thanks to the diversity of the choices offered today for different skin tones and hair types.
How Does Laser Hair Removal Work
The procedure employs a low-energy laser beam in order to incapacitate the active hair follicles which are responsible for hair growth. Prior to the procedure, the patient has their hair trimmed on the area which is going to receive treatment. A trial run is then conducted using a pulse light; following that, the laser beam is adjusted to various parameters (i.e. color, density and location of hair) before the actual procedure commences.
During that, the highly potent laser heat is applied so as to dispatch the hair follicles and promote hair reduction. That specific part of the procedure is expected to last somewhere between 15 and 45 minutes, after which the patient’s skin becomes slightly inflamed (thusly anti-inflammatory creams and ice packs are called up to mitigate that). Customarily, the course will have to be repeated 5-8 times every 1-2 months so as to reach the optimum outcome. Thereafter, additional occasional maintenance sessions (once or twice a year) might be needed in order to combat possible hair regrowth.
Benefits
Laser Hair Removal can deliver the following merits:
- Effective hair removal owing to the accuracy guaranteed by the use of laser
- Efficacious attacking of persistent hair
- No damage inflicted to surrounding skin
- Long-lasting, and in some cases lifelong, hair removal
- Generally safe operation
- Reduced pain compared to other cosmetic procedures
- Expeditious process thanks to the simultaneous treatment of many hairs (much more rapid than electrolysis)
Side Effects
In general, Laser Hair Removal is regarded as a gentle and safe operation. A number of side effects may befall several patients, though. Most notably, the procedure may induce:
- Pain and discomfort during the operation
- Skin irritation, itching, redness and swelling (which usually dwindle after several hours)
- Changes in skin pigmentation, mainly impacting individuals with darker skin (who have more melanin)
- Burns
- Infections (rarely)
- Scarring, crusting or blistering (rarely)
To avoid increasing the possibility of the above side effects, the patient should refrain from undergoing tanning, collagen injections, waxing or chemical peels as well as being exposed to the sun for 3-4 weeks before being submitted to Laser Hair Removal. In addition, aspirin and anti-inflammatory medication should be eschewed both before and after the operation.
Areas To Be Treated
Laser Hair Removal is appropriate for the face, the chin and the neck, as well as for legs, back, armpits and the bikini line, making it a treatment that can virtually address unwelcome hair on almost every spot, apart from the eyelids.
Cost
Laser Hair Removal is theoretically priced at $200 to $600, depending obviously on the surface of the body area treated as well as the density and the color of the hair to be removed, and of course on the specific body area (for instance, treatment for the face, the neck, the back or the upper and lower legs is expected to cost more than that of the arms or the underarms). However, the actual cost displayed on Realself.com amounts to $1,050, apparently taking into account that the operation is conducted by a specialized physician. A potential customer should also jot down that Laser Hair Removal can scarcely be permanent, thus regrowth should be anticipated to some extent and that will probably increase the total cost a little bit. In any case, electing to have Laser Hair Removal performed is likely to cost less than other similar solutions such as waxing.
Laser Hair Removal Reviews
Having made ample technological headway since it was introduced, Laser Hair Removal is unsurprisingly esteemed as a relatively credible cosmetic procedure by the majority of its users. Therefore, people who have tried this option cite satisfactory results, with substantial hair removal, longer regrowing period and minimized side effects. Nonetheless, some patients mention that they were slightly burned during the procedure whereas others claim that the lasers provoked either sensitivity or pain, which sometimes insisted, thus calling for over-the-counter pain medicines, moisturizers and cool compresses to deal with any issues. For detailed testimonials click here!
Before and After Photos
Our Advice
Laser Hair Removal applies to men and women who cannot put up with shaving or waxing any more and wish to dispense with unwanted hair without needing to sustain a painful operation such as electrolysis (on the other hand, electrolysis can be more effective in some cases). People with light skin and dark hair are the ideal candidates for Laser Hair Removal, although modern technology has enabled individuals with darker skin to capitalize on this particular method.
Nevertheless, any potential user should be aware that the procedure can barely turn over permanent hair elimination, therefore upkeeping sessions might be required at fixed intervals so as to yield the needed upshot. Moreover, before the operation, the patient should consult an experienced medical professional so as to look back on their medical history and converse about their expectations.
Once again we should notice that exaggerating regarding our appearance could lead to neurotic situations. On the other hand noone doubts laser hair removal can be quite useful in cases where excessive hair growth is the case (in such cases the patient faces hygiene issues) and never forget the social stigma that follows females with facial hair! In any case please have a look at our article on the Ethics of Aesthetics to help yourself decide responsibly!
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