| The removal of unwanted hair with lasers has | | | | The face |
| rapidly gained popularity. However this form | | | | |
| of treatment is not for everyone and it is | | | | Upper lip |
| important that consumers become educated as | | | | |
| to the different and competing hair removal | | | | Neck |
| procedures available. | | | | |
| | | | Chest |
| Some procedures still in use are outdated, | | | | |
| whilst some are more suitable for certain | | | | Periareolar |
| hair and skin colors. | | | | |
| | | | Underarms |
| What are laser hair removal requirements? | | | | |
| | | | Back |
| It is most important that the surrounding | | | | |
| skin is lighter than the hair. Also very dark | | | | Abdomen |
| skins absorb excessive laser energy which is | | | | |
| not ideal. | | | | Bikini line |
| | | | |
| Patients with light hair and tanned skin | | | | Legs |
| should not consider laser hair removal | | | | |
| treatment. | | | | Are laser hair removal results permanent?. |
| | | | |
| However if you have dark hair and a tan, you | | | | Hair removal techniques such as waxing, |
| must wait for the tan to fade before having | | | | shaving, and plucking all have temporary |
| treatment. Note that you will require several | | | | results. Some newer lasers show positive |
| treatments depending on the body areas, and | | | | evidence that laser hair removal produces |
| although relatively cheaper that | | | | permanent hair reduction after each treatment |
| electrolysis, laser hair removal costs could | | | | on an accumulative basis. However results can |
| exceed $1000. | | | | be individually variable, even using the |
| | | | latest lasers. |
| How much will laser hair removal cost? | | | | |
| | | | Some Important Laser Hair Removal |
| This depends on the size of the area being | | | | Considerations. |
| treated. Top treatment centers average around | | | | |
| $500 a session, and generally four treatment | | | | There are no guarantees. Exact laser hair |
| sessions are prescribed. | | | | removal results for each individual patient |
| | | | are unpredictable, particularly with regard |
| Whole back or leg areas will cost a lot more, | | | | to the number of treatment sessions required. |
| whilst small upper lip areas could be | | | | |
| cheaper. You would need to have an individual | | | | It is highly recommended that you choose |
| assessment by the laser center for more exact | | | | quality over price when selecting a laser |
| costing. | | | | hair removal clinic. This procedure is an |
| | | | exact science, and the best results come from |
| What is the effect of skin color on laser | | | | the centers with the most experience. |
| hair removal? | | | | |
| | | | Properly performed laser hair removal is |
| Light skin: | | | | effective in the vast majority of cases. It |
| | | | is usually only those with blonde or red hair |
| Easier to perform | | | | that do not respond well. |
| | | | |
| Fewer treatments | | | | Laser hair removal is not compatible with |
| | | | tanning as it will reduce it's effectiveness |
| Better and faster results | | | | and increase the number of sessions required. |
| | | | |
| Darker skin: | | | | Some light or dark skin pigment changes may |
| | | | occur and persist for months, but these are |
| Slower results | | | | usually temporary and very rare in untanned |
| | | | patients with fair skin. |
| More sessions | | | | |
| | | | Rarely blisters and burns my occur, |
| Greater expertise required | | | | especially in dark skinned patients. |
| | | | |
| Individualized treatment required | | | | As beta carotene darkens the skin, it's |
| | | | consumption should be avoided for several |
| What is the effect of hair color on laser | | | | months prior to treatment. |
| hair removal? | | | | |
| | | | African-Americans and those with dark skins |
| Dark hair: | | | | can take heart that new lasers and techniques |
| | | | available at specialized laser hair removal |
| Absorbs more laser energy | | | | centers can now provide effective laser hair |
| | | | removal for most patients, no matter what |
| Easier to treat | | | | their skin type. |
| | | | |
| Coarse dark hair gives best response | | | | Latest Advancements In Laser Hair Removal |
| | | | |
| Light hair: | | | | Lasers for hair removal from tanned and black |
| | | | skin have continued to advance with new long |
| More difficult to treat | | | | wavelength multi-pulse lasers. |
| | | | |
| Blonde or red hair is very difficult to treat | | | | Specialized laser clinics can offer at up to |
| | | | three different laser hair removal |
| Multiple treatment sessions are required | | | | technologies for optimal treatment of |
| | | | different skin and hair types:multi-pulse |
| Results are variable | | | | alexandritesingle-pulse |
| | | | alexandritemulti-pulse Nd-Yag lasers |
| How many treatments are required for laser | | | | |
| hair removal? | | | | Skin cooling techniques should be used |
| | | | before, during and after the laser pulse as |
| A single laser session could result in | | | | the best way to keep discomfort at a minimum |
| long-term hair removal, however multiple | | | | during the laser hair removal session. |
| treatment sessions are usually required for | | | | |
| best results. This is mostly due to the fact | | | | All laser hair removal settings must be |
| that hair grows in cycles and individual | | | | determined for each individual patient's hair |
| strands are not all in a growth phase at the | | | | and skin color, as well as for the location |
| same time which is when laser hair removal is | | | | and coarseness of the hair to be treated and |
| most effective. | | | | the patient's reactions. |
| | | | |
| What body areas can be treated with laser | | | | It could be dangerous to use topical |
| hair removal? | | | | anesthetic creams or solutions excessively. |
| | | | Better to avoid them completely if possible, |
| Anywhere except next to the eye. The most | | | | particularly whilst the proper laser settings |
| requested areas are: | | | | are being initially determined. |
| | | | |