Laser hair removal services may be marketed for women, but this technique can work just as well on men, too. The dermatologists at the "Hair Removal Journal" state that back and chest laser hair removal are gaining in popularity among male consumers who wish to enhance their appearance. Laser hair removal is charged by the treatment session, so it can be quite costly. Before you make a financial commitment, make sure it's likely to work for you.
What Is Laser Hair Removal?
First of all, laser hair removal won't permanently get rid of those pesky hair follicles for good. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration, which clears various types of devices for laser hair removal, is careful to point out that this technique may only be advertised in terms of "permanent hair reduction," not "permanent hair removal." Laser hair removal works by directing a laser beam at a large groups of hair follicles to put them in the resting stage of growth. The FDA points out that the accepted definition of "permanent hair reduction" is the "long-term, stable reduction in the number of hairs re-growing after a treatment regime, which may include several sessions." What this means for men is that several trips to the hair removal clinic are required, as well as annual or bi-annual maintenance treatments.
Average Cost
The "Hair Removal Journal" tracks the average cost of laser hair removal services performed by medical professionals. The cost of a single session depends on the region where you live. In February 2010, the average national cost of a single laser hair removal session was roughly $354. The Midwest and Northwest were $153 per session on average, the least costly. The southern states averaged $488 per session, the most expensive nationwide.
Factors of Cost
Because an indeterminate number of sessions are needed to get the best results from laser hair removal, tallying up the total cost may prove to be difficult. The "Hair Removal Journal" indicates that between 80 percent and 90 percent of good candidates noticed 80 percent reduction in hair density after between four and seven sessions. Additionally, you'll probably require one or two maintenance sessions each year, as well. But other factors come into play, as well, such as your skin color, hair color, the thickness of your hair and hair density. The "Hair Removal Journal" notes that removing back hair is generally successful after between four and six treatment sessions. The chest may require between three and six sessions.
The Best Candidate
The biggest factor to take into consideration before you spend your hard-earned cash is if your skin tone and hair color tip the scales in your favor. Mayo Clinic experts point out that people with pale skin and dark body hair have the best success with laser hair removal. Even men with darker skin tones and dark body hair can get good results. But if you have back or chest hair that's blonde, light brown, light red or white (unpigmented), laser hair removal is unlikely to give you any results at all.
Other Cautions
Mayo Clinic experts and the "Hair Removal Journal" advise those seeking this service to have it done at a medical clinic, not a salon or spa. But this is particularly true for men with tanned skin and men of color. Effectively treating those with darker skin types is difficult, but not impossible, according to the "Hair Removal Journal." Special longer wavelength lasers must be used to make sure that your skin doesn't blister, in additional to other treatment techniques.
Other
Men who are good candidates for laser hair removal can achieve exemplary results using this technique, as long as they have the service performed by a medical professional. Unfortunately, because each person responds to treatment differently, there's no way to predict the total cost of laser hair removal, or if it will even succeed. To make sure that you get the best from your bucks, meet with your doctor first to discuss a prospective treatment plan.
Member Comments