Hair Removal Options: Laser hair removal

Please first read Thoughts about Hair Removal Options for some important preliminary information.

Laser hair removal is yet another technique to get rid of unwanted hair. Laser technology is changing rapidly; what is available today will surely be improved as time goes by. For instance, until recently this laser technique wasn’t effective on light-colored hair. Now, with advances in this technology, light hair can be removed.

During this procedure, a laser emits a pulse of light that is absorbed by melanin (the pigment in your skin) deep within the hair shaft, effectively destroying the follicle, making hair growth cease.

Because heat given off by the laser is coming in contact with your skin, there is a chance of scarring. Be sure you are going to a qualified laser hair removal technician (whether a doctor or a hair removal specialist), otherwise you may be left with undesirable side effects. And as I always recommend: ask questions! If you don’t feel satisfied with the answers, I’d find someone else to do this procedure.

There are not universal results from laser hair removal. Some people have great results (see emails below), while others are left disappointed, expecting to have no hair left after as much as a year of hair removal sessions. Some people go through just a few sessions and are completely satisfied. No hair removal system is truly permanent, but surely you will have less hair than when you started, and hopefully even better results than that. 

Laser hair removal is the best thing I’ve ever done! I have my chin, bikini, and armpits lasered. I recommend this to everyone I know. After just two appointments my skin is so much softer, and I hardly have to shave anything. (I purchased a package of six sessions per area.) I have to take some ibuprofen one hour before I go because the “zaps” [from the laser] can sting. However, there are no side effects—at least not for me.
 

I had the hair lasered from my legs and under my arms. I am thrilled with the results! I would definitely recommend getting it done. For me, it wasn’t painful at all, and there were no side effects. Granted, 100% of the hair isn’t gone, but what’s left is hardly visible.

For more information, see:

• Epilation (ouch!)
• Women & Shaving
• Fed Up with Chin Hairs?