Prior to Laser technique, electrolysis was the most common method of unwanted hair removal. This technique however is more painful, involves scarring and is very slow. It requires lots of precision as it treats one hair at a time. It kills hair by means of giving electric shock to each hair. It was mainly used to get rid of unwanted hair in smaller areas. Many people still use this method to get rid of finer hair as laser treatment is not as successful.

Why balance is important

It is very important to control the timing and position of the laser. It has to be long enough to heat the hair but at the same time short enough so that melanin on the top of the scalp is not destroyed. Also, it must not cause damage to the surrounding skin.

Ideal Candidate

It is more difficult to treat the patients with dark skin as it’s difficult to avoid injuring the surface of the skin. Fair people with relatively darker hair are ideal candidates for this type of treatment. But new laser hair removal techniques are now being used to treat the dark skinned people with relatively lighter hair.

Laser hair removal technique has been approved by FDA as means of permanent hair removal method.

How is the procedure done?

The Practitioner holds a hand held device against the skin. The cooling get on tip of it is used to protect the surrounding skin. When the laser passes through the skin surface, it reaches where hair growth is originated. The extreme heat damages the hair follicle and prevents its further growth. Laser produces high energy waves which make the hair dormant.

Side effects

Laser hair removals can definitely cause scarring. But, in most of the cases, this scarring is temporary and diminishes in the time frame of few weeks or months. However, the scarring also depends on the following factors-

Your skin tone

Melanin level in your skin

Experience level of the practitioner

Your healing cycle

Type of laser being used.

Always consult your medical practitioner before you go for any kind of procedure. It’s important to do some research and make an informed decision. Beware of the sales pitch, heavy discounts and false claims. Consult some people who have undergone this type of treatment before making any kind of decision.

It is advised to wear goggles while the procedure is going on to avoid accidental exposure of laser to the eyes. Sometimes, a local anesthesia is applied to reduce the tingling sensation. There is often a fowl smell of the burning hair.

Body parts for this procedure

Laser Hair removal is commonly done on lip, chin, ear lobe, shoulders, back, underarm, abdomen, buttocks, pubic area, bikini lines, thighs, face, neck, chest, arms, legs, hands, and toes.

Number of sessions required-

It depends on the following factors

Area of the body treated

Skin color

Coarseness of hair

Gender

Phases of growth

Intervals between sessions

The treated hair takes some time to shed. It varies from 2-4 weeks. One should wait for these hairs to fall off before going for the next session. The interval my also depend on the hair cycle.

Facial hair requires more frequent treatments as compared to legs or backs.

One must be very careful about the false claims. It may not be as painless as promised by the practitioners. Laser Hair removal can be permanent for some, but not for all. A lot depends on the hair cycle and growth. One must make an informed decision my talking to few people who have undergone different kinds of treatments.