Laser Hair Removal - the Popular Choice

The Secrets To Being Hair Free - Or
Everything You Need to Know About
Temporary and Permanent Hair Removal

Dealing with excessive, embarrassing or unwanted facial or body hair can be a frustrating process, right?

Which is why I'll bet you are frustrated over having to constantly deal with unwanted hair? And are looking for ways to achieve permanent hair removal. Perhaps turning to electrolysis or laser hair removal even?

When talking permanent hair removal techniques those are the gold standards. Although the FDA would prefer you look at anything achieved by a laser hair remover more as hair reduction.

Then too older lasers were often very slow and came with a high "OUCH" factor.

Fortunately the advanced lasers available today are fast, gentle and can work well on a wide variety of skin colors. Making laser hair removal the more popular choice. In fact it's second only to Botox when it comes to non surgical cosmetic treatments.

Many women tired of plucking, waxing and creams turn to hair removal lasers for facial hair removal. Often treating upper lips or those pesky, ever multiplying hairs sprouting on their chins. Others look to "threading" - an ancient art that has been recently rediscovered. Making it perhaps the hottest trend in temporary facial hair removal going.

In any case, anymore men and women alike are more aware of their appearance. Excessive hairiness is increasingly seen as undesirable and that is what is driving the hair removal market. The trend is to seek out better temporary fixes while being more willing to pay for permanent hair removal procedures. Not only to look better but for the convenience of going hairless. Both of which are driving the body hair removal movement.

Body Hair Removal: Exposing A Brief History

Anymore, laser hair removal treatments are front and center when it comes to the tools available for achieving the slick, sleek, hairless look you get from the elimination of unwanted body hair. Which is ideal for those skimpy swim suits that expose miles and miles of skin, right?

But it hasn’t always been that way. And lasers weren’t always the tool of choice. Traditionally your options when it came to hair removal methods were limited for the most part to shaving, waxing, depilatory creams or plucking. And that’s a tradition that goes back a long ways.

During the early part of the last century American women first started to shave their underarms when short sleeves became all the rage during the First World War.

During the Second World War, higher hemlines and pin up posters brought legs into the hair free fold.

Bikini lines, or the “no hair down there” trend, were targeted in the ‘90s.

Naturally all this hair removing wasn’t without it downsides. That’s right. Hairless beauty came at a price. You had razor burn, rashes, ingrown hairs not to mention the endless array of nicks and cuts that accompanied the favored ritual required. And a repeat performance was always required to remove any stubble and fresh regrowth since none of these methods were anywhere near permanent. Sure waxing might last longer. But even that needs to be repeated every three or four weeks if you want to maintain the look.

Hair Removal Lasers: The Modern Hair Removal Choice

These days the most popular way to achieve the hair free look is via lasers. With the first systems the laser light emitted by a wand would hone in on the pigmentation in the root of the hair follicle and zap it with heat. It was fast alright although one session usually didn’t do the job forever. And these laser hair removal treatments it wasn’t necessarily cheap.

Of course since the first hair removal lasers were given the seal of approval by the FDA back in 1998 the industry has introduced diode laser driven machines, IPL devices, and equipment that uses YAG lasers. What these introductions have done is to make laser hair removal available even to what were previously considered less than ideal candidates when it came to doing this safely – i.e. those with darker skin.

You see, as with all cosmetic procedures there is a dark side to laser light treatments. Especially for those with darker skin. That is you can be burned, scarred, or experience unsightly skin pigment changes or hypo-pigmentation. Not exactly appealing side effects now are they? That said, advances in the laser technology used have made devices with longer wavelengths available that are both safe and effective for people with darker skin since those longer wavelengths are not absorbed well by melanin.

So if you were wondering what’s the problem with darker skin? The problem is the pigments found in the skin. Again the first generation devices targeted the melanin in the hair follicles. Which is why the dark haired light skinned were the ideal candidate early on. In fact they were pretty much the ONLY candidates for whom this worked safely. As the laser light could target the hair darker follicles but leave the lighter skin unscathed.

Technological advances have changed all that. And you have the newer lasers, such as the CoolGlide, to thank for those changes.

Going Hairless Requires How Many Laser Hair Removal Treatments?

So how many treatments can you expect to have to shell out exactly to see anything approaching permanent hair reduction? Good question. Don’t be surprised to be told that you will need multiple treatments (read four to six) to achieve the desired effect. The reason for this vagueness is the number of treatments is extremely variable from person to person. Basically, when it comes to body hair removal you’ll simply need to return for another session should there be enough hair regrowth to treat. Since hair grows in cycles so you can pretty count on a repeat performance as those that were dormant during round one awake from their slumber.

Still enough people have undergone these treatments to that relatively reliable stats have been compiled. Meaning it’s pretty safe to say that typical results come down to this. Fewer than a lucky one in five may not see any visible regrowth of hair in the area after just one treatment with hair removal lasers. But most will find a fresh batch has cropped up within 60 days.

Generally each subsequent treatment will result in another roughly one in five noting satisfactory reduction if not more of less permanent results. This is why you will likely be told it can take four to six sessions to see the nearly 100% hairlessness you are looking for.

Also keep in mind that while technically not touted as permanent hair removal, worst case you’d require be a so called touch up treatment some months or years down the road. After which you should be good to go again for a good long while.

Targeted Laser Like: Hair in All the Wrong Places

Those in search of non surgical solutions note there are a number of areas that are typically targeted repeatedly for this sleek, silky smooth look.

Your Underarms

It’s nearly a universal complaint. Shaving your underarms in the shower is a challenge many don’t relish. Besides some don’t find that elimination of hair there to be anywhere near as painless as it’s supposed to be. Not to mention the unwanted stinging sensation that results after the requisite application of deodorant post shaving. Perhaps that explains why one of the first areas women tend to want to attend to with laser hair removal treatments is their underarms.

Even better it’s a good place to start your great adventure towards smooth, silky and hairless skin all over for many reasons.

For one you can easily test how your skin will react to going under the laser because this isn’t an area that suffers from public overexposure. I mean how many people pull your arm up to check out your arm pits? But it can free you from part of your daily beauty regimen leaving you more time for carefree living.

Two, most find their underarms aren’t real sensitive to pain. Making this a relatively painless procedure for all but the most sensitive. Not as much fun as a day at Disney land to be sure. But not the equivalent of a bikini waxing torture chamber either.

Three it’s kinda quick and kinda cheap. As in $60 to $75 a session cheap in some parts of the county. And it could be even less. Really. Especially if you pay attention for specials, buy a package deal or find a Groupon deal of the day. Keeping in mind four to six sessions are typically required to zap away the follicles on any part of your body.

Plus even if you do a first rate job shaving, the dark hairs found in this region can still leave you with a shadowed look. Treating your underarms will eliminate any hint of that.

Also keep in mind this will need to be a deodorant free zone for 24-48 hours. Which is why it’s wise to schedule your time at the clinic so you more or less have a weekend to recover before venturing out in public again.

Your Face

Embarrassing facial hair? Have you about had it with your plucky partnership with Mr. Tweezers? You’re not alone. Millions of women in this country share your plight. So if you’re afraid your next gig is as the Bearded Lady in the circus fear not.

Laser facial hair removal, targeting the upper lip, chin and other areas of the face, is another popular procedure. Here a series of brief (five to seven minute) laser hair removal treatments (at most) can free you from the daily drudgery and inconvenience involved with shaving, or waxing, or creaming your way to a hairless face. Yes, the discomfort may bring tears to your eyes and you may be a bit red faced for a few hours afterwards. But eliminating what many consider to be the ultimate beauty dilemma would be worth it, right?

Your Bikini Area

The bikini area is the latest frontier for exfoliation aficionados. You don’t need me to go into the trials and tribulations of shaving for summer time fun at the beach the bikini clad put up with. Aside from the ultra smoothness down there a laser can produce you eliminate any ingrown hairs which are the bane of many of us too. So if you want your nether regions to sport what many consider to be a cleaner and neater appearance then this may be the next step.

Besides the bikini region may be the ideal area to attack with a laser. Reason being lasers work best on dark hair and pale skin, right? Which likely matches what you’ve got going there to a T unless you’re a fan of an all over tan!

Another plus here is no itchy re-growth stage that set in after shaving that you may be familiar with. And laser hair removal is nowhere near as painful as a Brazilian wax job.

Let me hasten to add however that post laser you may find loose fitting sweats to be the uniform de jour if skin irritation avoidance is high on your list. At least for a day or two.

Price wise, you may be looking at around $200 a session for a Brazilian treatment. More or less depending on where you live. Again, one session won’t be nearly enough usually. So budget accordingly.

But if your glamor wish list includes getting smooth all over, the bikini area can’t be overlooked when pursuing adventures in beauty then either.

Your Legs

Moving on down, you likely spend a serious amount of time waxing, shaving or creaming the hair on your legs – smooth skin being the fashion standard. Am I right? Laser hair removal treatments can put an end to such necessary beauty maintenance nonsense on your legs too. Or another triumph over unwanted body hair that will have you skipping your routine visit to the hair removal paraphernalia aisle at your favorite grocery or drug store.

Keep in mind that pricing may not be what you might expect here. The reason being the time involved. There’s a lot of skin to cover. And each pulse over covers so much. So it can be somewhat time consuming. Which will be reflected in the price too, although leggy special are not that uncommon actually.

That said, you can still defuzz your legs, well the area from your knees down for less, and still get results you can live with quite nicely -- thankyouverymuch.

You likely won’t find your calves all that pain sensitive either. So minimal discomfort is a good thing given you may end up being all goggled up for a half an hour, or more, as the tech works you over.

Laser Hair Removal Treatments Tips

Naturally you want to do your homework before settling on a specific spa, clinic or hair removal salon to take you on your hair reduction journey. This often means asking a lot of questions during your initial consultation. And there should be a no charge consultation offered. Here’s some that should make your short list.

Find out what kind of lasers are used.

Ask what type of laser would work best for your hair and skin type.

Find out if you’re a good candidate for the type of lasers the clinic, spa or salon has. Be sure you understand the risks and potential side effects involved. Also find out what kind of testing will be done to gauge your skin’s reaction to the laser light.

Ask about who will be doing the treatment. Seek to know more about the training the techs have had and what kind of ongoing training they get.

See if you can talk to previous clients.

Ask about the application of post treatment creams and such to offset any short term discomfort.

Since prices can vary wildly call around. You may find a deal you wouldn’t have come across otherwise. And at least stop and think about the package deal downsides. Sure you can save since they offer a lower price per session. But should the clinic or spa go out of business you could be out of luck in terms of getting your money back for unused sessions.

Laser Hair Removal Treatment Precautions

Avoid exposing the area to be treated to the sun a few days prior to your appointment. Same goes for self- tanning creams and lotions.

Postpone laser treatments if you’re pregnant.

Also you aren’t a good particularly candidate if you are taking photo sensitive meds that might include antibiotics, drugs for acne, blood pressure meds and some antidepressants.

And obviously you shouldn’t explore this if you have certain skin disorders or skin cancer. Well, doh!

No doubt current fashion trends favor smooth, hair free skin. Hopefully this overview of laser hair removal treatments has answered some of your concerns regarding what many to consider to be an amazing method for getting rid of unwanted body hair.