Is Laser Hair Removal Really Permanent?

Laser hair removal is the latest trend for people who want to get rid of unwanted facial or body hair. Using a laser to remove unwanted hair has been touted as a state-of-the-art procedure, which is a fact. You have also heard the claims that the laser hair removal procedure is the ultimate in permanent hair removal. You have seen advertisements claiming that laser treatments are fast, painless and safe.

 

It all sounds very attractive, but is it too good to be true?

 

To answer this question, let's take a look at this high-tech hair removal procedure and see if these claims prove to be reliable.

 

How does laser hair removal work?

 

The Laser hair removal procedure focuses on delivering light to the skin, measured at a specific wavelength, from a hand-held instrument. The light is concentrated on the darkest material on the skin. This specific material is the pigment found in hair. Intense light damages the hair follicle, slows down or eliminates future hair growth. This process occurs without affecting the surrounding skin tissue.

 

A major advantage of laser hair removal treatments is the speed at which the procedure can be performed. Small areas, such as the upper lip, can be treated in seconds. Larger areas, such as the back or legs, can be treated in as little as an hour. In contrast, electrolysis can take up to 125 hours of treatment for the back area alone.

 

Are laser treatments for everyone?

 

People who respond better to laser hair removal treatments tend to have lighter skin tones and darker hair color. The higher the contrast, the easier it is for the laser light to focus on the darker material or pigment in the hair.

 

Recent technological advances in laser hair removal have made the procedure more effective for people with darker skin. Concern about the risk of tissue damage, due to the laser targeting darker skin rather than the hair follicle, has been significantly reduced.

 

In most cases, people with darker skin can benefit from laser procedures. However, these people should not expect results as dramatic as those experienced by candidates with the most favorable characteristics, light skin and dark hair.

 

Is the procedure really safe?

 

In almost all cases, the laser hair removal devices used in these procedures have been evaluated and considered safe by the FDA for hair removal. Of course, an important caveat also applies here: The procedure must be performed by an authorized doctor or specialist. When looking for a wax clinic, it is recommended that you use a licensed physician to perform these treatments.

 

Are laser hair removal treatments really painless?

 

Laser treatment involves a light sent through a handheld instrument connected to a laser console. While the high-intensity light is being delivered, some patients are reporting a stinging sensation. Thanks to new technology, this stinging effect can be reduced. Many newer lasers now have a cooling system that automatically reduces or removes heat from the skin's surface during laser exposure.

 

Most describe the sensation as a slight tingling on the skin and tolerates the laser procedure very well. This is not to say that some areas of the body are not more sensitive than others. In these cases, a topical anesthesia may be administered before the procedure. Generally, general anesthesia or painkillers are not required.

 

Are the results of the laser hair removal procedure really permanent?

 

Currently, the medical consensus regarding laser hair removal is that the procedure results in a variety of results, depending on the physical characteristics of the individual (i.e., skin color, hair color, etc.). In general, after a series of laser hair removal treatments, a very dramatic reduction in hair growth can be expected. If the hair grows back, it will return to a lighter color or a finer texture.

 

In general, lasers are still the most effective permanent hair removal technique available today.