Laser Hair Removal: Things You Should Know
Laser Hair Removal
Hello, I'm Karin. Everyone knows that you have to be exceptionally careful before using just any doctor for laser hair removal especially when dealing with your delicate skin.
That's why we've created this special page within the site to advise on what you should know about laser hair removal. We want you to make sure this is the right choice for you.
Men and women seek laser hair removal to remove unwanted hair. Hair removal is commonly done on underarm, pubic area, legs, abdomen, lip, chin, back, buttocks, thighs, face, neck, chest, arms, and toes. Some Laser hair removal methods work best on pale skin and dark hair since they target dark pigment. Other Laser treatment methods work on any color pigment or hair color.
Laser Hair Removal is a procedure which removes hair from the body using a long pulse laser. The treatment is performed by a specially-trained doctor. The laser heat from the device disables the hair follicles from producing hair.
Since hair grows in cycles, it is necessary to receive 6 to 8 treatments at 8-12 week intervals to disable the hair follicles.
The ability of the laser device to produce a very narrow band on a consistent basis is the key to a safe efficient treatment. While the laser emits a beam that only heats the hair shaft, heat is transmitted from the hair shaft to the surrounding tissue for several milliseconds after the laser pulse. Several lasers possess cooling attachments which cool the surrounding skin to fully absorb any heat transmitted from the destroyed hair shafts.
Intense Pulse Light (IPL) machines are not lasers. These machines use a highly concentrated beam of traditional incoherent light, often in conjunction with a cream or gel, to burn the hair shaft. A serious flaw with these systems is that they lack the laser's ability to produce a selective bandwidth of light that will only affect the hair shaft (selective photothermolysis). IPLs produce a wide bandwidth of light that can heat up all of the surrounding tissue, making it less effective in disabling hair and putting the patient at a higher risk for burns, especially on darker skin.
Top 5 Laser Hair Removal Myths.
Laser Hair Removal Myth #1. Laser Hair Removal only works on certain skin colors. Laser Hair Removal can be effective on a wide array of skin tones these days. The Lumenis laser is one of the best lasers and only targets the hair follicle, not touching the surrounding skin. So it holds no bearing on the outcome of the process. Some lasers still operate by targeting contrasting colors, so check with your local laser clinic to see if laser treatment will be safe for you.
Laser Hair Removal Myth #2. Laser Hair Removal is painful Laser Hair Removal is not always painful. Advanced laser hair removal typically only causes pain when conducted in sensitive areas, and even then, its usually a quick, minor pain like a snapping of a rubber band. New lasers are now designed with a cooling tip to prevent most pain and irritation.
Laser Hair Removal Myth #3. Laser Hair Removal is expensive Comparatively, Laser Hair Removal is not such a big investment. Consider the cost of products required for shaving, waxing or electrolysis used over the course of a lifetime to remove hair. Then take the time to add up what you spend in just the course of a year on these products and you will likely be shocked at what you are already spending. In addition to the cost of products, there is also the exorbitant amount of time these processes take.
Laser Hair Removal Myth #4. Laser Hair Removal won’t work on red or blonde hair Much like skin pigments, hair pigments are no longer an obstacle for most hair lasers. A blonde or red haired patient may require more sessions to reach the results of someone with dark hair and light skin, but laser hair removal is certainly a viable option for them now more than ever
Laser Hair Removal Myth #5. Laser Hair Removal causes scarring and ingrown hairs. Laser Hair Removal only causes scarring in extremely rare instances, and it is actually recommended to alleviate problems such as ingrown hairs. Scarring is a more common result of electric hair removal, because the process uses a needle that touches the skin. Laser Hair Removal requires no needles and results in zero scarring when handled by a trained professional.
Questions to ask during your laser hair removal consultation
What kind of laser do you use? Is it right for my skin type? Have you treated many other patients with a skin type similar to mine? And how about my hair color?
How long have you been performing laser hair removal treatments? Can you tell me about your training and experience?
I know it’s prohibited to “pluck” any hairs out by the roots before treatment. What are your rules about shaving before treatment? Should I shave just before? Should it be a close shave?
I’ve heard that tanned skin is a laser hair removal no-no. Can you explain that to me a little better? For how long before and after my treatment do I need to avoid the sun?
If I felt I could benefit from it, would you be able to have one of your previous patients call me to talk about their experience?
Do you know how many treatments you have performed?
How Much Does Laser Hair Removal Cost?
Prices vary widely from clinic to clinic. It’s a good idea to get quotes from several clinics in the area to compare prices and other factors.
Some clinics offer discounts if paying for a package of multiple treatments upfront. However, buying a package also prevents an unhappy patient from switching providers. Since laser operator skill is very important in achieving results, it is recommended to start with one small area and investing in treatment packages only once satisfied. It’s a good idea to compare types of lasers used, treatment prices, technicians’ experiences, and other factors among at least 3-5 clinics in the area.
Below is very general average pricing information for most commonly treated areas at clinics across the US:
Price per session: Underarms (both) - $50-150 Regular bikini - $100-200 (definition varies by clinic) Brazilian bikini - $200-300 (definition varies by clinic) Half legs (both) - $200-400 Half arms (both) - $200-400 Butt - $150-300 Back - $200-500 Chest - $100-300 (definition varies by clinic) Abdomen - $100-300 (definition varies by clinic) Full face - $150-300 Upper lip - $50-150 Chin - $50 – 150
