Laser Hair Removal - Answers To Frequently Asked Questions
How does laser hair removal work?
Laser hair removal systems emit a gentle beam of
light that passes through the skin to the hair follicle. The hair
absorbs it, the energy from the laser is transformed into heat and
the hair follicle is disabled.
How does laser hair removal compare with
electrolysis?
Electrolysis can be a tedious, painful process
destroying each hair follicle one at a time. This can sometimes
require treatment over years at regular intervals.
Laser hair removal on the other hand can treat
hundreds of hair follicles simultaneously so the process is much
quicker.
Is laser hair removal for anyone?
Coolglide Technology
With CoolGlide's unique design, there is now the
flexibility to treat all skin types with laser hair removal. Before
CoolGlide, tanned patients and persons with darker skin could not
expect good results from laser hair removal treatment.
A CoolGlide device has a longer wavelength which
allows it to treat all skin tones. While patients with fair skin
still respond the best, medical studies indicated that patients
with tanned or dark skin can now achieve hair reduction equal to
fair skinned patients without undesireable side effects.
Other Laser Hair Removal Devices
With some laser hair removal equipment, an absolute
requirement is that the hair must be darker than the surrounding
skin.
White skin with dark hair responds best. Persons
with dark, coarse hair are the easiest to treat as dark hair contains
melanin, a dark pigment which attracts the laser light so more laser
energy is absorbed. Fewer sessions are needed.
Light colored hair is more difficult to treat and
blonde and red hair are very difficult to treat requiring multiple
laser hair removal sessions with varied results.
Anyone on a diet high in beta-carotene will need
to change eating habits if they want best results from laser hair
removal. Beta-carotene, found in vitamin A, carrots, squash and
other vegetables produces a yellow or orange color in the skin which
absorbs the laser energy and interferes with it reaching the hair
follicle.
As beta-carotene can remain in the body for months,
an adjustment in diet may be needed well in advance of laser hair
removal treatment for optimum results.
Persons with light skin are the easiest to treat,
requiring less laser hair removal sessions as the results are faster.
Persons with dark skin or sun tanned skin take
longer to get results because melanin, the dark pigment in hair,
is also present in skin. Melanin absorbs some of the laser light.
There is the danger of dark skin being burned in
these instances so a laser beam with a lower energy level is used.
For this reason also a higher level of expertise is required on
the part of the laser hair removal clinic.
How long does laser hair removal treatment
take?
The time involved with laser hair removal treatment
varies from person to person with skin, hair coloring and coarseness
of hair all affecting the time.
Here are some estimates which can give an approximate
guide.
- Back 1½ -3 hours
- Shoulders 10-20 minutes
- Underarms 1-2 minutes
- Bikini Line 8-10 minutes
- Upper lip less than 1 minute
- Chin 2-3 minutes
- Legs 1½ -3 hours
At least 2 or 3 treatments are necessary, and hair
that has been waxed or removed with tweezers could need from 5 to
8 treatments.
Why are repeated laser hair removal sessions
necessary?
Hair goes through cycles. Anagen refers to the
growth stage of hair. Laser hair removal treatment works best on
hair that is in the anagen stage.
While one laser hair removal treatment may have
long lasting effects, repeated treatments are necessary for best
results to catch all the hairs as they enter the anagen stage.
Is laser hair removal safe?
Yes. The laser uses a wavelength of light which
passes through the skin. Unlike x-rays, there is no residual left
in the body.
Skin may appear pink or red after treatment. This
disappears - in some cases after some minutes, in other cases after
a few hours, or in still other cases, a few days. Use of cold packs
will speed up the recovery time.
Is laser hair removal painful?
This varies from person to person depending on
their sensitivity. Some have described the sensation of laser hair
removal to a slight sting on the skin. Others say it feels like
a pinch on the skin.
When can I expect to see results from laser
hair removal?
After the first treatment hair will gradually fall
out over the next two months. Repeated laser hair removal treatments
are necessary to catch all the hairs in their various stages of
growth.
How much does laser hair removal cost?
This depends on the size of the area needing laser
hair removal treatment. A consumer guide on laser hair removal treatment
gives $500 per treatment session as a reasonable average with 3
to 4 sessions often necessary.
The whole area on the back or the legs can cost
considerably more while smaller areas such as the upper lip can
cost less. Individual consultations are necessary to establish accurate
laser hair removal pricing.
Is Photo-Epilation the same as laser laser
hair removal treatment?
Photo-Epilation or pulsed light devices use the
same principle as lasers but they are not lasers. An intense pulsed
light is used to disable hair follicles with minimal side effects.
It can be effective in hair removal but requires
a higher level of skill in operating as it is more difficult to
adjust than lasers.
Due to it's larger spot size, large areas of the
body such as the back or legs can be treated rapidly. One study
showed a 50 to 60 percent clearance of hair in 12 weeks.
Can results be guaranteed with laser hair
removal?
No. Due to the variables involved it is impossible
to predict exactly what the results will be for any individual with
laser hair removal. Many reputable laser hair removal clinics avoid
giving guarantees for this reason.
Laser Hair Removal Research Library
http://www.about-hair-removal.com/Laser-Library
Laser hair removal prices and guidelines:
http://www.laser-hair-removal-advice.com/laser-hair-removal-prices.html
Plastic Surgery Research Library:
Laser Hair Removal Research Library
http://www.about-hair-removal.com/Laser-Library
Laser hair removal prices and guidelines:
http://www.laser-hair-removal-advice.com/laser-hair-removal-prices.html
Plastic Surgery Research Library:
http://www.bodyfaq.com/plastic-surgery-library
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