Is Laser Hair Removal Really Permanent?
By Bill Wilson
Laser hair removal is the latest
trend for people wishing to rid themselves of unwanted body or facial hair. Using a laser to remove unwanted hair is
touted as a procedure based on state-of-the-art technology, which is a
fact. You've also heard the claims
that the laser hair removal procedure is the ultimate in permanent hair
removal. You've seen the
advertisements claiming that laser treatments are fast, painless, and safe.
It all sounds very enticing, but
is it all too good to be true?
To answer this question, let's
take a hard look at this high-tech hair removal procedure and see if these
claims prove reliable.
How does laser hair
removal work?
The laser hair removal procedure
focuses on the delivery of light into the skin, measured at a specified
wavelength, from a hand-held instrument.
The light concentrates on darker material in the skin. This targeted material is the pigment
found in hair. The intense light
damages the hair follicle, which slows or eliminates future hair growth. This process occurs without affecting
the surrounding skin tissue.
A great advantage of laser hair
removal treatments is the speed in which the procedure can be administered. Small areas, like the upper lip, can be
treated in a matter of seconds.
Larger areas, such as the back or legs, can be treated in as little as an
hour. By contrast, electrolysis can
take up to 125 hours of treatment for the back area alone.
Are laser treatments for
everyone?
Individuals who response best to
the laser hair removal treatments tend to possess lighter skin tones and a
darker hair color. The greater the
contrast, the easier it is for the laser light to focus on the darker material,
or the pigment in the hair.
The latest technological
advancements in laser hair removal have made the procedure more effective for
those with darker skin. The concern
for the risk of tissue damage, from the laser targeting the darker skin rather
than the hair follicle, has been significantly reduced.
In most cases, people with darker
skin can take advantage of the laser procedures. However, these individuals should not
expect results as dramatic as those experienced by candidates with the most
favorable characteristics, fair skin and dark hair.
Is the procedure really
safe?
In almost all cases, laser hair
removal devices used in these procedures have been evaluated and deemed safe by
the FDA for hair removal purposes.
Of course, an important caveat also applies here – the procedure must be
performed by a licensed medical specialist or doctor. When looking for a hair removal clinic,
it is recommended that you use a licensed medical doctor to perform these
treatments.
Are laser
hair removal treatments truly pain-free?
The laser treatment involves a
light delivered through a hand held instrument that is attached to a laser
console. As the high intensity light is being administered, some
patients report a stinging sensation.
Thanks to new technology, this stinging effect can be reduced. Many new lasers now
incorporate a cooling system that automatically reduces, or
removes, heat from the skin's surface during the laser
exposure.
Most people describe the sensation
as a slight tingling of the skin, and tolerate the laser procedure very
well. That's not to say that some areas of the body aren't more sensitive
than others. In these cases, a
topical anesthesia can be administered prior to the procedure. General
anesthesia or pain medication is usually not
required.
Are results from the laser hair
removal procedure really permanent?
At the present time, the medical
consensus regarding laser hair removal is that the procedure results in a range
of outcomes, dependent on the individual's physical characteristics (i.e. skin
tone, hair color, etc.).
Generally, after a series of laser hair removal treatments, one can
expect a very dramatic reduction in hair growth. If and when hair does re-grow, it will
come back lighter in color or finer in texture.
Overall, laser is still the most
effective technique for permanent hair removal that exists
today. About the Author Bill Wilson is a writer of health and beauty articles for a number of skin and hair care newsletters and websites. He is an advocate of advanced hair removal techniques and procedures. For more information about laser hair removal visit: http://www.best-laser-hair-removal-guide.com
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