Laser Hair Removal

Laser Hair Removal - The Extremely Popular Non-Surgical Solution for the Permanent Removal of Unwanted Hair

The effectiveness of Laser Hair Removal is now well-established among dermatology professionals, and happily for patients it is also regarded as a very safe procedure. It is not particularly cheap, but most women suffering from unwanted hair do not mind paying for a treatment that will do away with their previous hair removal regimes of plucking, waxing and shaving.

In fact, laser hair removal is now the second most popular cosmetic procedure in the US, after Botox injections.

Laser hair removal has the advantage over other hair removal methods that the skin is left soft and silky smooth after the course of treatments, rather than being irritated and sore after electrolysis, as well as being excellent for dealing with ingrown hairs.

Laser hair removal works by applying an intense, pulsating beam of light, the laser, through the skin, to target the dark pigment, melanin, which is found in the hair. This light is absorbed by the cells that produce hair in the follicle, and the follicle is heated, destroying the hair within that follicle.

Laser hair removal is suitable for all areas of the face and body, from the face, upper-lip area, bikini line, neck, stomach, legs and back.

Hair removal using laser treatment is a non-surgical solution to hirstutism, but it remains a medical procedure, and so does need to performed under strictly-controlled circumstances, by a professional person well experienced in the procedure.

It stands to reason, therefore, that choosing the right clinic for hair removal should be your foremost concern.

FAQs About Laser Hair Removal

Can I benefit from Laser Hair Removal?

Is Laser Hair Removal permanent?

Is Laser Hair Removal suitable for all types of skin and hair colours?

How safe is Laser Hair Removal Treatment?

Is Laser Hair Removal painful?

What are the average prices for Laser Hair Removal?

Can I benefit from Laser Hair Removal?

There is obviously no real medical reason for anyone to get laser hair removal. The are many men and women all over the world who suffer from hirstutism to some degree or another, and the problem does not really bother them. If that sounds like you, then you will probably get no benefit from the treatment.

If, however, unwanted hair is a concern for you, then there is no better, more efficient way to deal with it than getting laser hair removal treatment.

Is Laser Hair Removal permanent?

Laser Hair Removal is not actually permanent, in that the laser can only affect the hair that is at a certain stage of its growth cycle. We always have some hair that is its "dormant" state, and this hair cannot be affected by the treatment, so patients will usually return to the clinic several times. The hair that does regrow after treatment is likely to be lighter and finer than the previous hair.

Most patients visit the clinic between five and eight times, over a period of months, to get rid of any remaining hairs.

Darker hair tends to respond better to the treatment, due to the concentration of melanin. White, fair or red hair typically can be expected to take more sessions to treat.

All-in-all, it is probably more appropriate to think of laser hair removal as "long-term hair removal".

Is Laser Hair Removal suitable for all types of skin and hair colours?

It was once the case that laser hair removal was not appropriate in all cases. In the past there was a definite danger of the laser being unable to differentiate between the skin and the hair, in instances where the skin was darker. This could, and frequently did, lead to the laser damaging and scarring the skin of darker skinned patients.

Luckily, this is no longer the case, and advances in laser hair removal technology have lead to the use of different types of lasers for different skin types, meaning that hair removal is now accessible to almost anyone, regardless of skin colour.

How safe is Laser Hair Removal Treatment?

There is always a degree of risk with any medical procedure, and you should not believe anyone who says otherwise. That said, the complications of the past need not be a worry, and you can be assured that the risks are greatly minimised by the fact that laser hair removal is a non-invasive, non-surgical form of treatment.

You do need to be conscious that the use of a laser for hair removal is a skilled procedure, so you must still make sure that it is being performed by trained professionals. As stated previously, the removal of hair should be done with the correct lasers for your skin-type, or there is a chance of serious skin damage.

Furthermore, if you have a tendency towards keloid formation or hypertrophic scarring, it is best to steer clear of laser hair removal altogether.

Is Laser Hair Removal painful?

You can expect the process to be uncomfortable, but it is not generally considered to be painful. In some instances, the dermatologist will recommend that you apply a topical anaesthetic to the skin before coming to the clinic. This will certainly reduce any discomfort due to the hair removal treatment.

It is certainly, in any case, far less painful than electrolysis.

What are average prices for Laser Hair Removal?

Prices can be expected to vary for laser hair removal, and even in your home country you might easily find one price estimate for the equivalent of £100, and another for several hundred. Either way, you will need to be aware that this price will be for one course of treatment, which will need to be repeated at intervals for the optimum results.

The prices will depend on the extent of hair removal required, and how long it will be likely to take, along with the exclusivity of the clinic performing the treatment.

Some countries are clearly much more competitively priced for laser hair removal, but it is probably the case that any savings you make will not be terribly significant, once you have factored in the cost of travel and accommodation. For this reason, we do not really recommend medical tourism for this sort of treatment, unless you are already expecting to go to that country in any case.

If you will be finding yourself in Eastern Europe, Asia or South America, and are considering hair removal treatment, then you may find it well worth your while to check out clinics and prices in advance, and see if you can bag a bargain!