Laser Hair Removal - Information, Cost & Side Effects
Laser hair removal is now the second most common hair removal cosmetic procedure in the world. Laser hair removal treatment can be used to permanently treat and remove small and large areas of unwanted hair from the body. Best results of laser hair removal occur in people with light skin and dark hair, and laser hair removal treatment works better on coarse hair rather than fine hair. It has been used to help both those who are experiencing excessive hair growth because of illness and those who are genetically predisposed to it. While the common perception is that laser hair removal is both safe and uncomplicated, it remains a medical procedure. Like all medical procedures, therefore, it is accompanied by dangers and side effects. You’ll need to weigh the side effects of laser hair removal against the benefits you stand to gain from finally being free of your unwanted hair.
Laser Hair Removal Treatment
Laser hair removal is designed to permanently remove unwanted body hair by using the light energy from a laser. Unwanted hair is now a common problem in women and men. Laser hair removal consists of a series of sessions over a period of time. The area is shaved and cleaned, and an anesthetic cream applied. The laser then produces pulsed beams of highly concentrated light which are absorbed by the pigment located in the hair follicles, damaging the surrounding follicle. The procedure can be uncomfortable, but it is not usually painful. The length of a laser session may be a few minutes to an hour or more, depending on the size of the area being treated. Any redness and swelling of the affected areas usually disappear in a short time and most people return to normal activity right away. There have been cases of individuals who underwent laser hair removal for several years. Hair removed by laser hair removal treatments is not guaranteed to be permanent; it may grow back after several years, so ongoing treatment is sometimes required to maintain the hair loss. So, anyone planning to undergo the treatment should become educated on the possibility of the laser hair removal dangers which accompany it, and the precautions which will minimize the risks of post-treatment complications.
Laser Hair Removal Dangers
- Laser hair removal requires anesthesia, and one of the laser hair removal dangers, although unlikely, is that someone might attempt to self-inject. Injectable anesthesia should only be administered by medical professionals, so they are not considered appropriate for hair removal procedures. Topical anesthetics are preferred.
- A more common laser hair removal danger is that those undergoing it will expose themselves to the sun less than a week before, or immediately following, their treatment, and suffer swelling or burns as a result. They will receive a warning about this possibility from their doctor before their initial session.
- Some medicines can cause laser hair removal danger by both limiting the effectiveness of the treatments and possibly causing health complications. The doctor should be informed of all medication which a patient is using before beginning the laser hair removal treatment, and decide if it is a safe option.
- Although very rare, laser marks and burning are laser hair removal dangers. They will not occur if the procedure is done correctly; if you experience them, find another clinic for your treatments.
Laser Hair Removal Precautions
- Check your doctor’s background and experience before beginning your laser hair removal treatments, and don’t accept treatment from any doctor who does not mention the laser hair removal danger which you might be facing.
- You can’t be too careful in this regard because if you are not being treated by a board certified physician with a well-trained staff and properly maintained equipment, you are facing cars, burns, or even skin discoloration.
- And take some responsibility for your own actions if you are serious about minimizing laser hair removal danger. Protect yourself from sun exposure before and after your treatments, and avoid plucking or bleaching your unwanted hair prior to them.
- Having faith in your doctor’s ability to perform your laser hair removal correctly and to give you the advice you need to avoid pre-and-post laser hair removal danger will go a long way to making your experience as pleasant as it can possibly be!
How much does laser hair removal cost?
The cost of laser hair removal treatment depends on the areas treated and the number of treatments required. Generally, the cost per session of laser hair removal in New York City (NYC) for the area between eyebrows is around $60, legs are $200 and the bikini line is $150. This may seem like a large amount at first glance but if you consider that you can eliminate the need for regular waxing sessions, the cost of laser hair removal begins to look more reasonable. Many salons will offer you a considerable discount if you book a number of laser hair removal sessions.
Permanent Laser Hair Removal
People with light skin and black hair are prime candidates for permanent laser hair removal. If you are considering permanent laser hair removal then we recommend that you ask the laser hair removal practitioner exactly what they mean by permanent. To some clinics, "permanent laser hair removal" means that they do not anticipate your hair to regrow ever, and to others permanent laser hair removal means you will be hair free for just only 9 weeks. If hair regrowth does occur then hair should be considerably lighter and finer than before.