Body hair can appear in unwanted areas. For this reason, many men and women go to extremes to remove it. Waxing, depilatories, plucking, shaving and electrolysis are all forms of hair removal that are used. Laser hair reduction is a procedure that is done at a treatment center by a professional. Laser removal can reduce hair counts by 20 to 90 percent, according to the Mayo Clinic.
Features
Melanin is a dark pigment in the skin that gives hair its color. With laser hair reduction, a beam of intense, pulsating light gets shot down into the skin where it targets the melanin of hair inside the follicles. Follicles are where the hairs grow. The heat from the laser destroys the hair follicle, and the hair falls out.
Considerations
Laser hair removal works better for some people than others. For example, if you have light red, blond, light brown or white hair, this treatment will be ineffective. However, if you have light skin and dark hair, you will see the best results.
Effects
Side effects are not common with laser hair reduction, but they can happen and you should be aware of them. Incomplete hair removal, blistering, scarring, scabbing, crusting and changes in the texture of your skin can all take place. Hyperpigmentation and hypopigmentation can also occur which is a darkening and lightening of the skin, respectively.
Preparation
In preparing for laser hair treatment, your doctor will do a number of things with you before the procedure. Your doctor will conduct a medical history to find out about any medications you are currently taking and which conditions you have or had in the past. Photographs will be taken of the areas that you want hair removed and you will then discuss the expectations, benefits and risks involved with the procedure.
Warning
Before you get laser hair reduction, you must not have a tan because this can increase your chances of blistering. You should avoid exposure to the sun for four to six weeks before you get the procedure done and also abstain from plucking, waxing and electrolysis for at least three weeks before you get treated.
Identification
Laser hair reduction is an effective way to remove your body hair. But to see lasting results, you will need several treatments. According to the Mayo Clinic, to achieve a good reduction of hair, you will need six to eight treatments spaced six to eight weeks apart. However, this does not guarantee permanent results.
Cost
According to The Hair Removal Journal, the average cost of laser hair removal in the United States, in 2009, is $360 per treatment and the average number of treatments is five.
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