Spotlight on Laser Hair Removal

Before booking your first appointment for hair removal by laser, there are a few things you should consider before making the call. Though laser hair removal is a fantastic method for getting rid of hair that you just have no use for, there are some factors that you might want to know beforehand. What does it feel like, where can it be performed and how much does it cost are just a few of those factors. Well, hopefully this will help shed some light on those questions!

How does it work?

Lasers focus on melanin and when calibrated correctly, they are harmless and work fabulously. In other words, laser light actually looks for melanin. When the melanin that it is calibrated to is found, the laser focuses energy there causing damage to the follicle. This in turn will ultimately destroy the follicle's ability to produce hair. Lasers all work on the same basic principle to employ their intended purpose, but different brands and models employ different means to get the job done. Some lasers use alexandrite and sapphire gems while others are CO2 fraxelated models. Explaining the inner workings of a laser is a whole other conversation though! Just know that your physician has many options to choose from and that the clinician should be fully trained and educated on the particular laser they are firing.

Am I a candidate?

As technologies and methods progress, so does the list of candidates able to have laser hair removal performed effectively. As mentioned before, lasers look for melanin or color to focus energy on. When calibrated for hair removal, the laser is programmed to ignore lighter tones and only focus on darker color. That means that those with light skin and dark hair were prime candidates and left the rest of the world out of the blessing of laser hair removal. Subsequently, the invention of specialized products was realized to "create" the color the laser is searching for thus making it possible for those with blonde and gray hair to see their chances go up as a candidate for laser hair removal! It is even possible to use a very specialized laser to remove hair on those with dark hair and dark skin.

Choosing A Laser Hair Removal Tech

If the clinician performing laser hair removal isn't a physician, they must be overseen by one. All kinds of clinicians from Medical Estheticians to RN's can perform laser hair removal if they are overseen by a physician. The clinician firing the laser must also be fully educated and trained on any laser that they use to provide services with. The best way to protect yourself is to ask questions. Ask your clinician which doctor they work with and find out how long they have been using lasers. It's always a good idea to ask around for referrals and look for reviews on the practice that you will be visiting for your laser hair removal.

What It May Feel Like to You

Laser hair removal is not completely painless, but no form of hair removal is ever perfectly free of pain. Even shaving can smart if you cut your ankle or knick your knee. The procedure should be fairly quick only slightly uncomfortable. Some have it reported it feeling something like a rubber band being popped softly on their skin, but adamantly said that it didn't actually HURT. The room might be chilly to compensate for the heat radiated from the laser machine itself and you'll have to wear some funny glasses to protect your eyes, but overall there's no need to do any deep meditation or psyche yourself out before going in.

Future Regrowth. Wait. What?

Will it grow back? Well, maybe. Most of the factors regarding the answer to that question lie within your own DNA. The clinician will, more than likely, suggest that you will need to return for a couple more visits before your hair really "disappears". On average 6-7 visits may be necessary depending on the density and color of the hair being removed.

The Investment

Laser hair removal is a fairly new procedure in the beauty industry and as with any new technology, price can be restrictive. Cost is a relative matter when it comes to matters of beautification though. To some, an average of $400 per treatment is prohibitive and frivolous. To others, there is no price too high to never have to see those unsightly chin hairs again. Smaller areas like the upper lip start around $75 and may not need any follow-up sessions. Larger areas such as the back be as high as $900 per session and will probably require the full 6-7 sessions. No more waxing, shaving or tweezing can save a lot of time, and as we all know, time is money!

Laser Hair Removal really is an amazing option for hair removal and will be around for a long time coming. As it continues to progress and evolve, so will the effectiveness and process. Maybe the future holds a laser that will permanently hair forever all in one sitting. Maybe it will hold a whole new method of using light to remove hair. Whatever the future may hold, rest assured that removing hair will become easier and easier and we'll be here to educate and share the pros and cons of it with you!