Unwanted hair growth can be a problem to many men and women. There are plenty of options to consider when seeking relief from the hair growth, and getting the proper treatment to remove the hair. Some may be more costly then others and each has its pros and cons. Seeking the advice of your doctor is the first important step to removing that unwanted hair.
Ingrown Hairs
"An ingrown hair occurs when a shaved or tweezed hair grows back into the skin, causing inflammation and irritation," according to the Mayo Clinic. Not removing hair from your body is one of the ways to stop ingrown hairs from occurring, but this is rarely a realistic option. For this reason, a treatment to consider is laser hair removal surgery. This surgery will not cause ingrown hairs and will effectively remove the unwanted hair.
Who Is Eligible?
"Laser hair reduction should be performed under the direct supervision of a dermatologist, a physician who specializes in the medical, surgical and cosmetic treatment of hair and hair diseases, and who is trained to help manage hair and skin problems," according to the American Academy of Dermatologist. Many factors determine whether or not you are a good candidate for laser hair removal surgery. Some of the factors are your medical history, the thickness of the hair and the area it is growing, your skin type and your hair color. For the most part, the technology has become very advanced, and most people do qualify for laser hair removal.
Costs
The cost of laser removal surgery all depends on the person and the amount of treatment. If you want to remove a large amount of hair from a large area, the dermatologist will suggest you pay for several sessions instead of just one. This keeps costs down by making a package deal. It takes usually three treatments to effectively reduce the hair growth in each particular area. Treatments are spaced out, and occur every four to six weeks.
Procedure
Laser hair removal is a medical procedure that uses a laser beam to remove and destroy the unwanted hair on your body. "During laser hair removal, a laser beam passes through the skin to an individual hair follicle, and the intense heat of the laser damages the hair follicle, which inhibits future hair growth," explains the Mayo Clinic. A topical cream that numbs the area, and a cool gel that is released from the laser is the only method to relieve some of the discomfort of the procedure.
Side Effects
Most of the common side effects occur within the first three days of treatment. They include swelling, redness and pain. More serious side effects may include bacterial infection and permanent scarring. Most patients will experience lightening or darkening of the skin, depending on their skin tone.
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