About Laser Hair Removal

One of the more popular methods of hair removal today, laser hair removal is not for everybody. People with different skin colors and hair colors will receive different results from laser, and some may not be good candidates at all for this treatment. Make sure you're well informed before choosing this option of hair removal, or you may be disappointed in the results.

History

• Science first experimented with using lasers to remove hair in 1969. Early laser treatments removed hair one follicle at a time and were proven ineffectual over time. It wasn't until the late 1990s that reasonably effective laser hair removal methods came into existence, and they are still being refined today.

Significance

• Confined in the past to use of chemicals and razors, laser hair removal proved to be a great leap to those persons seeking a more permanent means of hair removal. From that little mustache to the eyebrow to the bikini area, laser hair removal has proved a viable option for millions of people, mostly women, worldwide.

Function

• According to the Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, "Laser hair removal is a medical procedure that uses laser light---an intense, pulsating beam of light---to remove unwanted hair. Laser hair removal works by passing a light beam through the skin. The laser targets dark pigment, called melanin, in hair. When the light beam hits the hair follicle (where hair growth originates), the intense heat destroys the hair follicle instantly. "

Time Frame

• The time involved in laser hair removal will vary, depending on the skin color, area of the body and coarseness of the hair itself. In general, you will need between six and eight treatments with waiting periods of 3 to 12 weeks between treatments to see complete absence of hair growth in the treated area.

Misconceptions

• Laser hair removal is not for everybody. Hair color and skin type will decide if you're a good candidate for the process. Laser hair removal is most successful on people with black or brown hair and lighter skin. Laser hair removal does not work on light brown, light red, white or blond hair.

Warning

• Blistering, crusting, scabbing and scarring are only a few of the side effects possible with laser hair removal treatments. Other conditions that may occur include darkening or lightening of the skin, changes in the skin texture and changes in the hair itself. Always make sure that the doctor performing your procedure is a licensed dermasurgeon with specific training in laser hair removal.