Laser hair removal is a medical procedure that is used to remove unwanted hair from various areas on the face and body. Though there are many ways to remove or reduce unwanted hair, laser hair removal is the only treatment that offers a more permanent solution to unsightly body or facial hair. Laser hair removal is not permanent for everyone. The color of the skin and hair of the patient can help determine the overall results.
The Best Candidates For Laser Hair Removal Treatment
Laser hair removal is not guaranteed to permanently remove hair in all patients. The Mayo Clinic advises that the best candidates for laser hair removal have the following traits:
- People with fair or light skin tones
- People who have dark, thick hair
- People who can commit to spending 4-6 weeks prior to treatment out of the sun
- People who can commit to attending appointments at regular intervals
Common Bodily Areas For Laser Hair Removal
Laser hair removal for men usually involves removing back hair, or treating areas that are prone to ingrown hairs or shaving bumps. Male laser hair removal can also include areas such as the bikini line, or along the neck and shoulders.
Most women who seek laser hair removal treatment choose the upper lip, underarms, bikini line, and legs as the areas to remove unwanted hair.How Laser Hair Removal Works
Laser hair removal is done in a dermatologist's office, a medical office, or in a laser hair removal center staffed with qualified, trained professionals. After a consultation with a laser hair removal professional, the client is given pre-treatment instructions. When it comes time for the laser hair removal session, the patient may be given a topical local anesthetic, and will likely wear a pair of protective goggles. This is to protect the eyes from the intensity of the laser treatment.
The laser hair removal professional will press a small laser instrument into the treatment area. The intense heat and light from the laser use melanin, the pigment in skin and hair, to guide the laser to the roots of many hairs at once. The pulsing light and the heat of the laser instantly kill off the hair follicle and the hair that is in the active phase of growing. According to the Mayo Clinic, approximately 85% of the hair on the body is in the active growth phase. As the skin is heated, the laser hair professional applies a cooling gel or a cool laser tip to keep the skin comfortable.
Laser Hair Removal Pricing
Laser hair removal is seen by most insurance companies as a cosmetic procedure, and therefore is usually not a covered expense. The cost of the laser hair removal treatment can vary between city and state. Additionally, the area of the body from where the hair will be removed can determine the price of laser hair removal. For example, the smaller area of the upper lip will cost less than laser back hair removal. Some companies may offer discounts for referrals or for multiple areas on the body.
Other Things To Know About Laser Hair Removal
Laser hair removal does come with some risks, such as incomplete hair removal or lightening or darkening of the skin. Seeing a qualified laser hair removal practitioner, however, and providing a complete medical history can significantly reduce the risks of laser hair removal.
 |
 |
