Yara Zakharia, Esq.
Many Americans are uncomfortable with their excess facial or bodily hair, which they view as unsightly. A significant chunk of the U.S. population has also grown tired of the daily waxing, tweezing, or shaving rituals and the often resulting irritation associated with traditional methods of hair removal. Studies conducted by the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery confirm a growing trend towards laser hair removal, with more than a million Americans requesting this procedure each year.
History of Hair Removal
First introduced in 1997, this FDA-approved form of
permanent hair removal has become increasingly in demand and has been luring new patients due to its safety record, success rate, state-of-the-art technology, and advanced and proven techniques. According to the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, laser hair removal is the most requested treatment for males and females in the 19-34 age bracket who desire to rid themselves of unwanted bodily and/or facial hair.
Procedure Information
In the high-tech technique known as selective photothermolysis, light energy converts into heat upon breaking the skin barrier, targets the melanin in the skin, and inflicts injury to the follicle. The high temperature disables the area triggering hair growth and prevents re-growth. Laser hair removal is not only safe and effective, but also non-invasive. While removing unwanted hair, the laser beam does not cause any damage to the surrounding skin or delicate pores.
Treatment Areas
Laser hair removal may be effectuated on almost any part of the body and face, including the ear lobes, lips, toes, hands, legs, arms, chest, neck, thighs, bikini line, buttocks, abdomen, underarm, back, and shoulders. Both aestheticians and dermatologists cite pubic hair removal by laser as one of the most sought-after procedures in their offices. While ideal candidates for laser hair removal are patients with fair skin and dark hair, new laser types can now successfully treat dark-skinned individuals with pitch black hair.
Preparation and Recovery
For nearly two months preceding the procedure, patients should not pluck or wax their hair. They may only shave. For four weeks before and after laser hair removal, patients should avoid sun exposure.
Although a numbing cream or topical anesthesia is sometimes applied, it is not needed since the pain generated by laser is minimal and much less than that caused by short-term hair removal methods such as waxing. The sensation usually described by patients who have undergone laser hair removal is that of a mild and brief pinching sensation. Patients may resume daily routine activities immediately after the hair removal session. In the weeks following the procedure, dead hair will surface in the areas targeted by the laser.
Types of Hair Removal Systems
Different types of laser hair removal systems have been approved, including:
- The Alexandrite Laser - one of the most prevalent and fastest types of laser that is optimal for large areas
- The Diode Laser - which is extremely effective on darker skin.
The duration of a laser hair removal session is a function of the area being treated and its size. Bikini and body hair removal may be completed in 15-45 minutes, whereas larger areas such as the back and legs generally consume more time.
Treatment Length
The number of sessions needed will vary from one patient to the next and hinge upon such factors as coarseness of hair, skin color, and bodily area. There are three stages to hair growth- anagen, telogen, and catagen. Laser hair removal can only work on hair follicles that are in the anagen or growth phase. Therefore, it follows that multiple treatments are necessary to treat remaining hairs that have re-grown and were not damaged during the appropriate phase.
To enable the hair to re-grow, laser practitioners usually schedule the treatment sessions in 10 week intervals. On average, patients need between 3 and 6 laser treatments to achieve permanent hair removal. Numerous laser hair removal clinics and specialists offer gratuitous touch-ups for at least one year following the patient's last treatment.
Laser Removal Costs
Because of the cosmetic nature of the procedure, insurance plans do not provide coverage for it. The cost of laser hair removal differs from one clinic to another and also depends on the area being treated and its size. Another determining factor is the cost of living in the region where the patient resides since this element influences the pricing of products and services.
Laser hair removal is less costly than electrolysis. Among the procedures boasting a lower price are those targeting the hands, ears, and nose. The next lowest price is for laser applications to the neck, sideburns, mid-brows, upper lip, and chin. Procedures that generally command more than $100 are the bikini area, legs, back, chest, scalp, face, arms, abs, and armpits.
[page updated December 2008]