Laser removal is a semipermanent method of getting rid of unwanted hair. It creates a smooth appearance and relieves you of the hassle of regular shaving, waxing or plucking. But it has other benefits, too. Some areas of the body, such as the pubic region, are prone to folliculitis and follicle irritation, especially when shaved. Laser hair removal eliminates that problem. It can be used on nearly any area of the body.
Time Frame
Laser treatment for hair removal usually has to be repeated several times in order to be effective in inducing a long hair-free period. Four to seven treatments are usually done in intervals of one to two months, notes Dr. Melanie Grossman, a media-recognized expert in dermatology and laser surgery. How long the results will last varies by patient. Dr. Jeffrey Melton, director of cosmetic surgery in the dermatology department at the University of Illinois at Chicago, describes the results this way: "If your idea of permanent hair removal would be a very significant reduction (or maybe even complete clearing), plus or minus the possibility of requiring a repeat treatment once every year or few years, then the technology is pretty likely to make you happy."
Considerations
Lasers used for hair removal home in on the melanin cells in the hair shaft. These are the cells that give the hair and skin their color. As a general rule, the darker your hair and the lighter your hair, the more effective laser hair removal will be for you. Along these lines, if you have a tan it is best to let it fade before you get laser hair removal.
Cost
The cost of laser hair removal varies based on several factors, including the amount of hair to be removed and the area of the country where you are getting the procedure done. The Hair Removal Journal gives the following approximate costs per treatment for various areas of the body as of 2009: underarms, $150 to $200; face, $150 to $350 per area, such as the chin or upper lip; legs, $450 to $800.
Side Effects
Some patients worry about side effects. Dr. Eric Bernstein of the Laser and Skin Surgery Center of New York says there is little reason for concern. Side effects rarely occur. Occasionally a patient will experience burning or blistering. Some also experience pigment changing, meaning a lightening or darkening of the skin. The skin generally goes back to its normal color within a few months.
Expert Insight
Traditionally, the only method that could ensure long-term removal of hair was electrolysis. While it is still popular, the major disadvantage is that it requires insertion of a needle and passing of an electric current through each hair follicle being treated, according to Melton, who calls it a "very tedious process" that can take several months or even several years to complete. The major advantage of laser removal, he notes, it that it can treat large areas at once, saving considerable time and effort.
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