According to the American Laser Center, a woman spends on average more than $10,000 and nearly two months of her life managing unwanted hair, and those who wax once or twice a month will spend more than $23,000 over the course of a lifetime. Additionally, recent studies found that 84.4% of American men now remove hair on more than just their faces. Both sexes are looking for convenient, cost-effective alternatives to shaving.
WHAT IS LASER HAIR REMOVAL, AND HOW DOES IT WORK?
Laser hair removal can reduce unwanted hair in almost any area of your body. The treatment works by targeting individual hair follicles with laser energy that permanently damages the targeted hair follicles’ roots, preventing future growth. Treatment can be as brief as a few minutes for small areas like the lip and chin, or longer for surfaces such as the back and legs, and it typically takes several treatments to get the best results. Professional laser hair removal is a great alternative to shaving and typically more convenient and cost-effective in the long run.
This treatment works by using a concentrated beam of light (laser) to remove unwanted hair. During laser hair removal, a laser emits a light that is absorbed by the pigment (melanin) in the hair. The light energy is converted to heat, which damages the tube-shaped sacs within the skin (hair follicles) that produce hairs. This damage inhibits or delays future hair growth.
WHAT CAN I EXPECT FROM TREATMENT?
You likely will see the results immediately, although the outcome varies from patient to patient. The color and thickness of your hair, the area treated, the type of laser used and the color of your skin all affect the results. You can expect a 10% to 25% reduction in hair after the first treatment.
To remove the hair, most patients need 2 to 6 treatments. After finishing the treatments, most patients do not see any hair on the treated skin for several months, or even years. When the hair regrows, there tends to be less. The hairs also tend to be finer and lighter in color. You might need maintenance laser treatments for long-term hair reduction.
ARE THERE ANY RISKS OR SIDE EFFECTS?
Risks of side effects vary with skin type, hair color, treatment plan and adherence to pre-treatment and post-treatment care. The most common side effects of laser hair removal include skin irritation, pigment changes and, more rarely, blistering, crusting, scarring or other changes in skin texture. Laser hair removal isn’t recommended for eyelids, eyebrows or surrounding areas due to the possibility of severe eye injury.
After laser hair removal and between scheduled treatments, avoid sunlight and use a broad-spectrum SPF 30 sunscreen daily.
If you’re interested in laser hair removal, schedule a consultation with a board-certified doctor to determine if this is an appropriate treatment option for you. At the consultation, discuss a treatment plan and related costs. Laser hair removal is usually an out-of-pocket expense.
