By HL Thomas
People are always looking for ways to remove unwanted body hair. More than 25% of American women have unwanted chin and upper lip hair, which can affect their self-esteem. Men will also try to get rid of excessive body hair. Unwanted hair can be a burden and very embarrassing for many people.
There are temporary methods that people commonly use to remove hair such as shaving, plucking and waxing. If you are looking for a more long-term means to remove hair, then consider laser hair removal.
Laser hair removal will work on some people a lot better than others. After several sessions with a aesthetician some people will notice hair growth in about a year after treatment. Some people treated with laser hair removal will never see hair growth again, so results could vary. Up to 80 percent see a reduction in hair growth after six treatments.
Are you a good candidate for laser hair removal?
This procedure is great for people with dark hair and light skin. There are new laser procedures for light hair and dark skinned people too. The Aurora by Syneron treatment is for people with blond or gray hair. If you have tanned skin, laser hair removal will cause skin discoloration.
How do you prepare for laser hair removal?
You will be asked to shave 1 to 3 days before your treatment. Your aesthetician or dermatologist will tell you exact how to prepare prior to the procedure.
How does laser hair removal work?
It is a pulse of bright light that breaks down the hair follicle through the skin. The laser will actually target several follicles at once, which mean it works on large areas at once. The entire procedure will take up to 2 hours. If you have melanin in your skin, laser hair removal will cause skin discoloration. The average person will have their legs, arms, back and chest treated.
If you want the upper lip and chin area done, it only work on dark hair. Blondes will need electrolysis for permanent hair removal on the upper lip and chin.
Is laser hair removal a painful procedure?
It is a pulse of bright light that will feel like a rubber band popping the skin. Every zap will not feel painful. Laser hair removal tends to hurt more on the lower legs and thighs. It is common to numb the skin prior to the laser procedure. An anesthetic numbing spray with 4 percent lidocaine will be used on the skin. Take an over-the-counter pain medication 1 hour before the procedure.
How many treatments will you need for laser hair removal?
You will need to schedule 4 to 6 treatments, 4 weeks apart to reduce hair growth. It is recommended that you schedule a session at least once a year for maintenance.
The hair will fall out in 10 to 14 days after the procedure. Just use a mild scrub in the shower starting on the 10th day. This will exfoliate the treated area and remove the hair.
Make sure you go to a board certified dermatologist or licensed aesthetician for laser hair removal. Do your homework before making any agreements in advance.
This procedure is not cheap. The average laser hair removal session cost from $100 to $2000 per session.
