In late 2008, the U.S. Food & Drug Administration approved the first two home laser hair removal devices. However, when comparing home laser hair removal treatments and those offered by professionals, it's clear that there are distinct differences that consumers should be aware of before they decide to use a DIY remedy.
What Is Laser Hair Removal?
Laser hair removal treatments work by directing the laser at clusters of hairs simultaneously. The laser targets the melanin in the hair, heating and destroying hair follicles without damaging the skin. Laser hair removal treatments are most effective when hair is in the active stage of growth. The FDA asserts that laser hair removal treatments offer a form of permanent hair reduction, but laser devices cannot purport to eliminate hair for good. Furthermore, the FDA defines "permanent reduction" as a "long-term, stable reduction in the number of hairs regrowing after a treatment regime, which may include several sessions." The FDA further notes that the amount of hair regrowth is required to be stable over time for longer than it would take for the hair follicles to complete a normal growth cycle--anywhere between four and 12 months. In short, some body hair can--and most likely will--grow back after laser hair removal treatments, just not as densely.
The ABC Experiment
In November 2008, shortly after the FDA approved the first of the two commercial home laser hair removal treatment devices, the Silk'n and the Tria, ABC correspondent Becky Worley conducted her own comparison on her legs for two to three weeks. She found that the Silk'n took less time to use (15 minutes), but left her with temporary "road rash." The less-painful Tria took longer (40 minutes). At the end of the experiment, Worley noted 70 percent less hair on the Silk'n leg and 30 percent less on the Tria leg, with more marked results in the bikini zone. Both devices purport to yield 50 to 70 percent reduction in hair growth after five treatments, with maintenance sessions required.
Effectiveness & Safety
Professional laser hair removal treatments can yield up to 80-percent permanent hair reduction in 80 to 90 percent of "good candidates" for the procedure after four to seven sessions, according to the dermatologists who maintain the "Hair Removal Journal." Maintenance sessions are typically required on an annual basis to maintain results. There are no formal studies to compare the effectiveness of the Silk'n and Tria home devices to these results. The manufacturers of the Silk'n advertise the gadget as "physician-preferred," noting that the five different settings that control laser strength prevent unnecessary post-treatment inflammation. The makers of Tria state that their device, four times as powerful as its competitor, yields longer-term hair reduction over the Silk'n. Currently, the FDA has not approved home laser hair removal devices for use on the face. However, medical devices used by professionals can treat the face, with the exception of the eye area.
Cost Comparison
For those who're looking at saving money in the long run, home laser hair removal treatments make more sense than having it done professionally. However, cost depends on the region where you live, the body part you need treated and the density of your body hair.
Will Home Laser Hair Removal Treatments Work?
Laser hair removal is an enticing alternative for women--and even men--who wish to retire their razors. However, the Mayo Clinic unequivocally states that laser hair removal will not be effective on people with body hair that is fair, light red or unpigmented (gray or white). Similarly, the ABC news report notes that home laser hair removal devices are most effective on people with fair skin and dark, coarse body hair. The Mayo Clinic notes that those with darker skin and dark hair will also see good results.
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