What is laser hair removal?

It is a medical procedure that utilizes laser light to remove unwanted hair. It works by passing a light beam through the skin targeting a dark pigment called melanin in hair. The light beam hits where the hair growth originates in the hair follicle which is destroyed by the intense heat of the laser. Most of the time laser hair removal is successful at slowing down hair regrowth, but with multiple, sustained treatments many patients are provided extended periods of little to no hair growth.

How does laser hair removal work?

The laser energy from laser hair removal treatments produces a long-term hair reduction. This heat created from the light of a laser is absorbed by the pigment in the hair. That then triggers an inflammation in the hair follicles which causes each follicle to go into a resting or telogen phase. While the follicle is in a resting phase, it produces no hair.

What is a laser?

A laser is a device that produces light from a single color or wavelength. A laser is a special form of light that does not exist in nature – only human technology can create laser light. Dermatologists use lasers that emit pulses of high energy light that are subsequently absorbed by the target area desired. Practitioners can use different wavelengths to hit different targets. For hair removal, the target is the melanin pigment located within the hair chamber.

Why do people get this procedure?

Most people have this procedure done because they have unwanted body hair that they would like to be removed. Most of the common treatment areas include armpits, legs, facial hair, bikini, back, arms, chest, and abdominal hair. It is possible to treat unwanted hair from nearly any part of the body that you desire. Laser hair removal doesn’t guarantee permanent hair removal, but it does increase hair free periods that can last as long as several years. Multiple treatments increase the chances of long-term hair removal.

What are the risks?

There are risks associated with any medical procedure. Laser hair removal is no exception. Hair color and skin type affect the success of laser hair removal more than any other factor. Success is most common among individuals with light or fair skin and darker hair like brown or black color. This is a procedure that does not work for white, blonde, or very light hair colors. You can reduce your risks by choosing a qualified, trained professional that is very skilled. Even if you don’t have a doctor perform the procedure, you should definitely have a doctor on site during the treatments to supervise.

Complications from a qualified doctor are extremely rare. Bleeding and infection rarely occurs during laser treatment. You may experience some side effects from laser treatments including:

• Resistance or total hair regrowth
• Darkening of the skin (hyperpigmentation)
• Lightening of the skin (hypopigmentation)
• Scarring and blistering
• Skin texture changes
• Hair color changes
• Scabbing or crusting

Make sure that you go over the risks of this procedure with your doctor and how he feels they will apply to you.

How do you prepare for laser hair removal?

The first step of preparation is consulting with your doctor over the factors that will determine the success of the procedure for you. You will most likely go over your medical history, take photographs of the area to be treated, and discuss the risks, benefits, and expectations you can expect from this procedure. You will need to avoid sun exposure for at least four to six weeks prior to your treatments. Tanned skin can increase your risk of having adverse side effects such as discoloration or blistering. You will likely shave the area the day of the procedure so that the hairs are short but still visible. You definitely want to avoid waxing or plucking hair several weeks before treatment.

What can you expect from the procedure?

Most of the procedure involves the practitioner applying a hand-held laser instrument to your skin. Sometimes they use a cooling device or gel at the tip to protect the skin. During the procedure you will wear goggle to prevent any exposure to your eyes from the laser light. Once the laser is activated, you will feel a stinging sensation sometimes described as similar to the sensation of having a rubber band snapped against your skin. It is perfectly normal to smell a strong odor of singed hair. The length of each procedure will be determined by the area of the body that is treated. Some areas take longer than others. Your upper lip may only take a few minutes to treat while your back might take several hours to complete. Once the procedure is done, you will likely notice some redness and swelling, but bandages and medications are not necessary. You might experience stinging as well for as much as 24 to 48 hours. If you experience any crusting, keep the area moist by applying petroleum jelly.

After your treatment you should avoid exercise and heavy activity for at least the first 24 hours. You should avoid exposure to the sun for at least several weeks after the treatment and make certain to apply plenty of sunscreen whenever you have to go out. Don’t mess with the skin in treated areas or rub/scrub the area. You may use soap and water to gently wash the area.

How many treatments are necessary?

You should expect to receive at least three treatments to receive good results. It will vary from person to person, but it is usually necessary to remove all the hair follicles in the treated area. In almost every case, people do not require more than six treatments, but in rare cases people with hormonal imbalances or people that have waxed or plucked often before might require even more sessions.

How much does it cost?

The Hair Removal Journal estimates that the national average cost per treatment is about $353.75 and according to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons the national average laser hair removal cost is $429. Fees are quite different over regional areas probably due to supply and demand.

You will need to call a doctor in your area for exact pricing and you should definitely be aware of low cost offers that might not be safe.

What kind of results can you expect?

Studies have shown that suitable candidates can have their hair counts reduced anywhere from 20% to 90% from hair removal lasers. Multiple treatments will prolong the duration of hair loss even though hair regrowth is possible. Even after six to eight treatments spaced six to eight weeks apart, you will likely still need to undergo periodic treatments for maintenance approximately every year to keep the long-term results. The following photographs from the Mayo Clinic show before and after results for a patient: