Laser hair removal is a cosmetic medical procedure that uses a laser beam – an intense, pulsating emission of light – to remove unwanted hair. Laser hair removal destroys hair by passing a beam of light through the skin, targeting melanin, the dark pigment in hair, explains the Mayo Clinic. When the laser hits the hair follicle – the place where hair growth occurs – its intense heat destroys the hair follicle instantly, effectively killing the hair.
Who Can Benefit from Laser Hair Removal?
According to the experts at LaserHairRemoval.com, laser hair removal techniques were first introduced in the late 1990s, but at that time, the technologies limited the procedure to light skinned individuals with dark hair since the early generation of lasers were unable to distinguish between the skin pigment and hair follicles, which led to the burning of those with darker skin or fair skin and fair hair. However, modern laser technology has advanced to allow people of all skin and hair types to benefit from laser hair removal.
Common treatment locations for laser hair removal include legs, armpits, upper lip, chin, back and bikini line, but it is possible to treat unwanted hair in almost any area of the body.
How Effective is Laser Hair Removal?
The Mayo Clinic explains that laser hair removal does not technically guarantee permanent hair removal, but it does extend the hair-free period from several months to up to many years. Long-term hair removal is most likely to occur when the patient undergoes multiple treatments.
Laser hair removal is much faster than electrolysis, the primary "permanent" hair removal alternative. For example, LaserHairRemoval.com says that it takes only five to ten minutes to zap all the hairs during a bikini area treatment with laser hair removal versus five to ten hours to treat the same area with electrolysis. This is because with laser hair removal a group of hair follicles can be treated at once rather than just one at a time, as with electrolysis.
What are the Risks Associated with Laser Hair Removal?
Laser hair removal continues to be the number one laser procedure performed in North America, so patients can feel confident that the procedure will be a safe, fast and effective way to do away with unwanted hair.
Patients should always choose a qualified, trained doctor who is board certified in dermatology or a similar specialty to perform the treatment. The Mayo Clinic advises patients that their doctor should meet with them before the procedure to determine a treatment plan, and that a physician's assistant or licensed nurse should only perform the procedure if under supervision of the doctor.
It is strongly recommended not to have laser hair removal performed at a spa, salon or clinic that allows nonmedical personnel to perform the procedure.
While complications from laser hair removal are rare, possible side effects or risks may include:
Hair Regrowth
Incomplete hair removal or regrowth due to hair that is resistant to the laser treatment may occur. Hair changes may also occur, including lighter or finer hair regrowth, or the increased growth of hair in areas adjacent to the treated areas.
Burning
Burning may occur if a patient is treated with laser technology that is not appropriate for their skin type or color; patients should ensure that clinics have set their laser parameters specifically for them.
Hypopigmentation and Hyperpigmentation
Hyperpigmentation (darkening of the skin) and hypopigmentation (lightening of the skin) may cause spots to appear which are either darker or lighter than your normal skin tone due to an excess or deficiency of melanin. These conditions usually occur as a result of sun exposure following laser hair removal; LaserHairRemoval.com recommends that all patients stay out of the sun for at least two weeks before and two weeks after each procedure since when skin is not in its natural (un-tanned) state, it becomes difficult to set the laser parameters correctly, therefore increasing the risk of hyper- or hypopigmentation as a side effect.
Other, more rare side effects may include:
- Blistering and scarring
- Changes in skin's texture
- Crusting or scabbing
What is the Cost of Laser Hair Removal?
Due to advances in the laser hair removal technology over the past decade, the cost of procedures has fluctuated greatly, but the biggest factor in the typical cost of laser hair removal is the area that you are having treated.
According to LaserHairRemoval.com, small areas like the upper lip can cost anywhere between $100 and $200 per treatment whereas larger areas like the full legs or a man’s full back can cost anywhere from $500 to $900 per treatment. Treatment costs also depend on the area in which you live and the clinic you choose; clinics in larger cities price differently than those in smaller towns or rural areas, and individual clinics will have different pricing depending on whether or not laser hair removal is a significant part of their business.
As it is a cosmetic procedure, laser hair removal is not routinely covered by medical insurance.
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