Beauty and grooming laser hair removal information

Laser hair removal has been a viable hair removal option since about 1995. Hair removal is a big business, and both men and women are constantly fueling that business by seeking effective long-term ways to get rid of unwanted facial and body hair. Sure, shaving isn’t exactly brain surgery, but many people feel that it is a daily inconvenience that they would love to live without. As with any procedure of this semi-permanence, there are some risks involved. Before you decide to go ahead with a laser hair removal program, make sure that you know everything you can about the procedure.

The way that laser hair removal works is complex. A concentrated light beam is directed at the desired area. That light beam is then absorbed by the pigment, which causes hair follicle damage. One treatment is not enough; in fact, three sessions are generally required to really get rid of the hair and damage the follicle enough so that re-growth is substantially slowed down. Laser hair removal can be used to remove facial hair or hair from the arms, legs, back, chest, or bikini area.

When laser hair removal first emerged, it wasn’t advised for people with darker skin because it commonly caused skin discoloration. The light beam can in fact lighten your skin slightly, but there are now laser methods that reportedly do not result in skin discoloration. The newer lasers are designed so that they bypass the melanin in the skin (melanin is the pigment found in skin and hair). Regardless of the new advancements in this field, the ideal candidate for laser hair removal is someone who has light skin and dark hair. Keep in mind, however, that even if you are not “ideal” you can still substantially reduce the amount of body hair that you have through laser hair removal.

There are some people who should avoid laser hair removal. Pregnant women should not get laser hair removal. Also, take your threshold for pain into consideration. There is discomfort that accompanies this procedure, and the level of pain varies from person to person. If you have very sensitive skin, you should talk with a professional about how he or she thinks you will withstand the procedure. Remember, you are going to have to have more than one treatment for sure, so if you don’t think you are going to be able to tolerate the discomfort, don’t get this procedure done. Many patients develop a rash on the treated areas, but this is only temporary, and the pain is similar to what you might feel with moderate sunburn. Laser procedures generally take somewhere between fifteen minutes and an hour per session, depending on the surface area that you want to have treated.

It is very important that you go to a reputable medical doctor for your laser hair removal procedures. Be sure to find out how long your doctor has been performing laser hair removal, and ask to see pictures of results he has gotten. Never schedule a treatment before you have met your doctor in person and seen the facilities where you will be treated. Your doctor should also be able to give you a general idea as to how long he or she expects your hair removal to last based on your skin and hair types, but generally they should be guaranteed to last at least two months.