The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved few medications and cosmetic procedures that remove hair for a long period of time, or even permanently. Medical laser devices have been used for a number of purposes, including the removal of age spots, tattoos, scars and wrinkles. They can also remove hair for long periods of time, but the FDA makes it clear that laser hair removal should not be considered permanent.
FDA's Definition
The FDA allows manufacturers of laser hair removal devices used in day spas, salons, doctor's offices and more recently, consumer devices used at home, to make very specific claims. Manufacturers can state that the laser they produce and sell will result in "stable, long-term, or permanent reduction" of body and facial hair after several treatments. But laser manufacturers or those who provide these services cannot claim that the treatment will result in permanent removal of hair. Neither can manufacturers assert that this method is painless--unless the FDA makes this particular determination.
How It Works
A variety of laser devices can remove hair, says the American Academy of Dermatology, or AAD. Some of the first to be approved by the FDA were the ruby, alexandrite and diode lasers and intense pulsed light systems. Laser hair removal works by directing the laser/light at a large area of the skin. A low-energy beam is absorbed by the melanin, or pigment, in the hair, which puts the hair follicle in the resting stage of growth. Laser hair removal is most effective on hair that's in the active stage of growth. As hair growth occurs in cycles, more than one treatment is necessary to make sure that all follicles are treated. In individuals who are considered "good candidates," hair density can be reduced by up to 80 percent.
Benefits
For those who have noticed exemplary results using laser hair removal, the advantages are obvious, as frequent shaving, plucking, waxing or cream depilatory use--temporary methods of getting rid of hair--are things of the past. The "Hair Removal Journal" consumer website states that good candidates for laser hair removal receive optimal benefits in as few as four sessions, although it can take up to seven. The AAD indicates that laser hair removal is one option for individuals who suffer from hirsutism or hypertrichosis, the presence of excessive hair growth in places where it shouldn't be. Male-pattern hair growth,or hirsutism, results in male-pattern hair growth in females, such as the presence of a beard or mustache or coarse, terminal hairs on the abdomen, chest and back. Laser hair removal can be used almost anywhere on the body, except in the eye area.
Drawbacks
The main drawback to laser hair removal is that it doesn't work for everyone, says the AAD. Those with fair skin and dark, coarse body and facial hair generally enjoy the best results from this treatment, while those with blond, light brown or unpigmented hair may notice subtle results--or sometimes none. Tanned and dark-skinned people, including African-American skin, can also benefit from laser hair removal, but the treatment must be delivered by a device such as a longer-wavelength Nd:YAG laser. When an inappropriate laser is used on dark-skinned people, the skin itself absorbs the light rather than the melanin in the hair follicle, which can result in burning. Finally, maintenance treatments are necessary, usually at a frequency of one or two times a year, says the "Hair Removal Journal."
Your Options
Laser hair removal performed by a medical professional can cost from $100 per session to several hundreds of dollars, says the "Hair Removal Journal." The best way to get an estimate--as well as to determine if treatment is appropriate and how many treatments are necessary--is to schedule a consultation with a physician who performs these services. In late 2008, the FDA cleared two personal laser hair removal devices, both which cost under $600 in February 2010. Like professional lasers, these work best on people with pale skin and dark hair, purporting to yield between 50 and 70 percent reduction in hair density compared to the 80 percent possible when a medical laser device is used. According to the manufacturers, home laser devices cannot be used on medium-brown to black skin or anywhere on the face.
Member Comments