Laser Hair Removal: Everything You Need to Know

B Y : D A V I D W A R N E Abstract

Laser hair removal is a long-lasting form of hair removal that damages or destroys the hair follicle. However, the hair may regrow, particularly if the follicle is damaged and not destroyed during the laser hair removal procedure.

For this reason, many doctors now refer to laser hair removal as long-term hair removal rather than permanent hair removal.

Read on to learn about how laser hair removal works in Melbourne, how long it lasts, the costs of laser hair removal procedures and many other things about laser hair removal.

1. Introduction

Unwanted facial and body hair can affect the way we feel, our social interactions, what we wear and what we do. Options to camouflage or remove unwanted hair include plucking, shaving, bleaching, using creams and epilation (using a device that pulls out multiple hairs at once). Longer-term options include electrolysis, which uses an electrical current to destroy individual hair follicles, and laser therapy. Read the entire guide carefully and learn about some important things regarding laser hair therapy.

2. About Laser Hair Removal

So what is laser therapy? What can it achieve? And what are the side-effects? How does laser treatment work?

Lasers emit a wavelength of light with a specific single colour. When targeted to the skin, the energy from the light is transferred to the skin and hair pigment melanin. This heats up and damages the surrounding tissue.

But to remove hair permanently and to minimise damage to the surrounding tissue, the laser needs to be targeted to specific cells. These are the hair follicle stem cells, which sit in part of the hair known as the hair bulge.

As the skin surface also contains melanin, which we want to avoid damaging, people are carefully shaved before treatment.

Will it remove hair permanently?

Laser treatment can either permanently reduce the density of the hair or permanently remove unwanted hair.

Permanent reduction in hair density means some hairs will regrow after a single course of therapy and patients will need ongoing laser treatment.

Permanent hair removal means none of the hairs in the treated area will regrow after a single course of therapy and no ongoing laser therapy is needed.

Whether hair is removed permanently or just reduced in density is influenced by:

 the colour and thickness of the hairs being treated

 the colour of the patient’s skin

 the type and quality of the laser used, and

 the competence and training of the person operating the laser. However, if you have grey hairs, which have no melanin pigmentation, currently available lasers don’t work.

How many treatments will I need?

The number of treatments you’ll need depends on your Fitzpatrick skin type. This classifies your skin by colour, its sun sensitivity and its likelihood to tan.

Pale or white skin, burns easily, rarely tans (Fitzpatrick types 1 and 2) People with dark hair can usually achieve permanent hair removal with 4-6 treatments every 4-6 weeks. People with fair hair will generally only achieve permanent hair reduction and after an initial course of treatment may need 6-12 treatments a month apart.

Light brown skin, sometimes burns, slowly tans to light brown (type 3) People with dark hair can usually achieve permanent hair removal with 6-10 treatments every 4-6 weeks. People with fair hair will generally only achieve permanent hair reduction and after an initial course of treatment may require 3-6 repeat treatments a month apart.

Moderate brown to dark brown skin, rarely burns, tans well or to moderate brown (type 4 and 5) People with dark hair can usually achieve permanent hair reduction with 6-10 treatments every 4-6 weeks. Maintenance will usually be required with 3-6 monthly repeat treatments. People with fair hair are unlikely to respond.

Re-treatments must be long enough apart to allow new hair growth to reach the level of the bulge.

What side effects or complications should I be aware of?

You will be advised to wear goggles during the treatment to prevent eye injury.

You will also experience some pain during treatment, especially the first few. This is mainly due to not removing all hair in the area to be treated before the procedure. Hairs missed while shaving absorb laser energy and heat the skin surface. There is less pain with repeat treatments at regular intervals.

Your skin will feel hot for 15-30 minutes after laser treatment. There may be redness and swelling for up to 24 hours.

More serious side effects include blisters, too much or too little skin pigmentation, or permanent scarring.

These generally occur in people with a recent suntan and the laser settings have not been adjusted. Alternatively, these side-effects can occur when patients are taking medications that affect their skin’s response to sunlight.

Does the type of laser matter?

The type of laser not only influences how well it works, it influences your chance of side- effects.

Intense pulsed light (IPL) devices are not laser devices but flash lamps that emits multiple wavebands of light simultaneously. They work in a similar way to lasers, albeit less effectively and they are much less likely to permanently remove hair.

To minimise the risk of damage to melanin producing cells on the skin surface, the choice of laser and how it’s used can be matched to your skin type.

Fair skinned people with dark hair can use an IPL device, an alexandrite laser or a diode laser; people with dark skin and dark hair can use a Nd:YAG or diode laser; and people with blond or red hair can use a diode laser. To control the spread of heat and unwanted tissue damage, short laser pulses are used. The energy of the laser is also adjusted: it needs to be high enough to damage the bulge cells but not so high to cause discomfort or burns.

Can I buy a home laser device and do it myself?

Home laser devices and IPL home devices are available in Australia and cost between $200 and $1,000. But they don’t tend to work as well and you need to use them repeatedly to maintain hair reduction.

Parameters are only set for people with fair skin (Fitzpatrick types 1 and 2) and dark hair. For safety, energy settings are capped. And in inexperienced hands, complications may still arise. This includes burns, pain, blistering and changes to skin pigmentation.

By contrast, medical grade lasers must be registered with the government regulator, the Therapeutic Goods Administration. There are also national and state-based regulations about the facility where the laser is used, compulsory laser safety training requirements and state- based qualifications and licensing for laser operators.

So, a safe and regulated laser in the hands of a skilled professional is recommended.

When to see your GP

Not all excess hair is cause for concern. But severe hirsuitism (excess growth of dark and coarse hair over areas of the body where it ordinarily wouldn’t grow) or hypertrichosis (excess hair growth for someone’s age, sex or race) can be clues to underlying illness.

Hirsutism, especially when associated with symptoms including irregular periods or acne, can be caused by extra androgen hormones. Hypertrichosis later in life can be a sign of malignancy.

3. How long does laser hair removal last?

How does laser hair removal work?

Laser hair removal uses light to target the pigment in individual hairs. The light travels down the shaft of the hair and into the hair follicle.

The heat from the laser light destroys the hair follicle, and a hair can no longer grow from it.

Hair follows a unique growth cycle that involves resting, shedding, and growing periods. Recently removed hair that is in a resting phase will not be visible to the technician or laser, so a person may need to wait until it regrows before removing it.

For most people, laser hair removal requires several treatments over the course of 2 to 3 months.

Is laser hair removal permanent?

Hair removal from a destroyed hair follicle is permanent. However, people who undergo hair removal can expect that some hair in the targeted area will grow back.

Over time, it is possible to treat the area again to reduce the number of hairs that regrow. In some cases, it may even be possible to eliminate all hair.

Whether or not hair grows back depends on numerous factors, including the type of hair that regrows and the skill of the person removing the hair.

Most people find that when hair regrows, it is lighter and less noticeable than it was before. This is because the laser may damage the hair follicle even when it fails to destroy it.

If a hair follicle is damaged but not destroyed, the hair will eventually regrow. It can be difficult to destroy every single hair follicle, so most people will see some hair regrowth. When hair regrows, it is possible to treat it again, so people who want to remove all the hair may need several treatments.

In some cases, hair may be too light, too short, or resistant to treatment. In these cases, a person might choose to use other hair removal methods, such as plucking stray hairs.

How long does laser hair removal last?

Laser hair removal is permanent when the hair follicle is destroyed. When the hair follicle is only damaged, the hair will eventually regrow.

The amount of time it takes for the hair to regrow depends on the person’s unique hair growth cycle. Some people have hair that grows more quickly than others. Hair that is in a resting phase will grow back more slowly than hair that is in another phase.

Most people can expect some hair regrowth within a few months. Once this happens, they can opt for more removal treatments.

Does skin or hair color make a difference?

Hair removal works best on people with light complexions who have dark hair. This is because the pigment contrast makes it easier for the laser to target the hair, travel into the follicle, and destroy the follicle.

People with dark skin or light hair may need more treatments than others and may find that more hair grows back.

To permanently remove hair, the technician must know how to target the hair and choose the right type of laser. Research published in 2013 found that lasers that produce longer wavelengths work best on dark skin.

Side effects and risks

During treatment, some people experience burning, stinging, or discomfort. For this reason, many technicians apply a numbing cream to the area they are treating. However, some people may have an allergic reaction or skin irritation in response to the numbing cream.

Minor side effects are common, and may include: changes in the color of the skin, particularly in people with dark skin, which are usually temporary skin redness blistering or crusting of the skin

Sometimes, irritation related to hair removal can cause scarring. Damaged skin can also become infected. Though rare, skin infections can spread and become life-threatening.

Providing a detailed medical history and discussing risks and benefits can help the provider determine the right treatment, reducing the risk of serious side effects. Following hair removal, a person should avoid sun exposure. The sun can irritate the skin, which increases the risk of blisters and scars.

People who experience intense pain, a fever, crusting, blisters, or other signs of skin damage or infection should seek medical attention.

Cost of laser hair removal

According to 2017 statistics from the Australian Society of Plastic Surgeons, the average cost of a hair removal session is $293.

Most people require multiple sessions, so people should talk to their treatment provider about how many sessions they will need to work out the overall cost.

Because laser hair removal is almost always a cosmetic procedure, insurance is unlikely to cover it.

The total cost of laser hair removal depends on several factors, including who performs the treatment. Skilled providers such as dermatologists and plastic surgeons may charge more but are less likely to cause injury or side effects.

Other factors affecting the cost include:

 the number of treatments required

 how much hair regrows

 the number of hairs targeted  the size of the area requiring treatment

Removing a small amount of hair from a region such as the upper lip will cost less than removing hair from the entire leg.

4. Important Things You Need to Know About Laser Hair Removal

Experts sound off on the worst mistakes client

s make, how much it actually hurts, and why you shouldn't feel weird being spread eagle for a Brazilian.

Laser hair removal isn't one of those self-care treatments you look forward to. You're not soaking in a salt bath, having your muscles massaged into submission, or reveling in your skin's post-facial dewy glow.

No, you're undressing in front of a stranger, having your body parts zapped, and leaving with some red, angry hair follicles. But it's one of those self-care treatments that pays dividends in the long run: You can slash time in the shower, forget about waxing appointments (which are just as painful), and never worry about lifting your arms to overhead press only to find you forgot to shave for the umpteenth day in a row. (You won't have to shave again, for the most part.)

If you like to keep your body hair natural and ungroomed, that's cool. But if you want to part ways with your unwanted hair-for good-nixing razor bumps, shaving nicks, and ingrown hairs, here's everything you should know about laser hair removal, according to board-certified dermatologists, certified laser technicians, and medical estheticians. (Related: 8 Brutally Honest Confessions from Massage Therapists)

1. Shave before you go.

"We ask that all clients shave about 24 hours before their appointments," says Kelly Rheel, owner of Lab Laser Suite in Melbourne. "We understand some areas are harder to reach than others, so we're happy to do a little cleanup, but shaving an entire area is no fun for us and won't be comfortable for you-especially if we're shooting a laser at your delicate parts.

"For those who balk at shaving their facial hair, I recommend using a device, such as the Finishing Touch Lumina Lighted Hair Remover, that allows close-to-skin trimming in between sessions," suggests Avnee Shah, M.D., of The Dermatology Group in Melbourne.

2. But don't tweeze or wax in between sessions.

While shaving is requested, "it's essential you avoid tweezing or waxing prior to laser hair removal as the laser actually targets the pigment of the hair follicle itself, so if it's gone the laser won't be effective," explains Marisa Garshick, M.D., of Medical Dermatology & Cosmetic Surgery in Melbourne City. "Each session targets a percentage of the hairs at different growth cycles."

3. Take all your makeup off-seriously, all of it.

"I've had so many patients claim they didn't put makeup on the morning of the treatment, or that they don't have any products on their skin...and then I use an alcohol pad and see it all come off," says Anand Haryani, M.D., of Divani Dermatology in Melbourne. "We aren't asking you to keep your face product-free to embarrass you; we're doing it to protect you," he says.

What can happen if you don't comply? "I once had a patient who-after having cleansed her face and asked her to wait in the next room while I switched out the laser-reapplied some foundation and decided not to tell me. The few spots we started treating burned! She had pigment changes there for months and months before they finally started to fade. Now I don't let patients leave my sight," Dr. Haryani says. Bottom line? "Listen to your providers. They have your best interests in mind."

4. Go to a board-certified dermatologist.

"Patients interested in laser hair removal should understand it's not a simple procedure. It has risks, even though it's performed extensively in spas and salons," says Ritu Saini, M.D., of Melbourne Medical Skin Solutions in Far Rockaway, Melbourne. "As dermatologists, we've seen burns and changes in pigmentation occurring after laser hair removal by inexperienced providers. Your best bet is to go to a board-certified dermatologist."

There's another reason it might be worth your while to schedule a doctor's visit: "Going to a reputable board-certified dermatologist helps improve your hair-reduction results," adds Priya Nayyar, M.D., of Palm Harbor Dermatology in Melbourne. "You'll often need fewer treatments because the laser settings are appropriately individualized based on your skin and hair type."

5. Yes, this will hurt.

"It's a pretty hot, sharp zap; clients almost always say it feels like tiny rubber bands hitting the skin, and I would agree. But it doesn't feel like that everywhere-only where hair is thick and dense, like Brazilian, underarms, and lower legs," explains Saime Demirovic, a licensed laser tech and owner of Glo Skin & Laser in Melbourne City. "Although, a surprising one is the upper lip; even though it's not very hairy, it's a super-sensitive area. And if you have sensitive teeth, you'll feel it even more!"

Some lasers have a cooling effect-like cold air, cold spray, or a laser that's cold to the touch- which helps. (So can topical numbing creams, which you can apply before you go.) And luckily, areas like the upper legs and arms, where hair isn't as dense, may only feel slightly warm during the process, Demirovic adds. 6. You should be swollen afterward.

"If you come out of your treatment looking like you just stumbled out of a beehive, you're in good shape. It's called perifollicular edema, which is just a fancy way of saying 'swollen hair follicles,'" says Rheel. And it means your treatment was most likely successful. "We tell our clients to expect up to 48 hours of redness, stinging, or itching-but more commonly these only last about an hour or two. Any longer than that and we recommend a hydrocortisone cream or Benadryl gel to alleviate any discomfort." (Related: How Emma Watson Grooms Her Pubic Hair-It's Not Waxing or Shaving!)

7. Results will vary.

"Patients should know laser hair removal is a process that ideally should be customized to the body area and type of hair. For example, coarse hairs in the armpits or bikini may completely resolve over four to five visits. Fine, thin hairs on the upper lip or arms may take multiple treatments, and are paradoxically harder to clear with laser hair removal," says Barry Goldman, M.D., of Goldman Dermatology in Melbourne City.

"It's more properly called laser hair reduction as opposed to laser hair removal, as we can significantly reduce the volume and density of the hair, but there will always be some hair follicles," adds Dr. Garshick.

8. There's a reason you need to stay out of the sun.

"The premise behind laser hair removal is identifying the pigment in the hair follicles and targeting that specifically to get rid of the unwanted hair," says Dr. Nayyar. "To do this effectively, it's important to be as close to your baseline skin color as possible," says Dr. Shah. The derms recommend refraining from any excessive sun exposure or tanning of any kind- from the sun, indoor tanning, a spray or a cream-for at least two weeks prior to any laser hair removal treatments.

While you pay be paler than you'd like, it's well worth it: "Having a tan can increase your risk of adverse reactions (burns!), since the laser may confuse the pigment in your skin for your hair's root," Dr. Shah says.

9. Tell your doc about any medication you're taking.

"As far as medication, it's very important to be honest with your technician. Antibiotics are light-sensitive, so if you're taking them when we do the treatment, you could end up with burns, which can be difficult to get rid of," Rheel says. "We ask before every session about any new medications our clients may have been prescribed since their last visit to avoid this."

10. You can change your mind-to a certain extent.

"Having an open conversation up-front is best. I've always been a big believer that a patient- doctor conversation should go through all the pros and cons. We aren't and shouldn't be salespeople," says Dhaval G. Bhanusali, M.D., of Hudson Dermatology & Laser Surgery in Melbourne. After these discussions, you can make an informed decision you're comfortable with.

"We can always start conservative and do more later [especially if you're deciding between bikini and full Brazilian]. I've had a ton of patients do something in between and do two to three treatments in some spots and the full treatment in others," he explains. "The former thins the hair (so there's still the option to shave or not), and the latter leads to the elimination of hair."

11. It's gonna cost ya.

"Laser hair removal is not only an investment financially, but-if done correctly-it's an investment in time," says Omar Noor, M.D., owner of Rao Dermatology in Melbourne. "Due to the hair growth cycle, the optimal frequency of laser hair removal is monthly [spaced roughly four weeks apart], requiring an average of four to six sessions."

Costs vary from city to city, and from office to office. But typically a small area, such as the underarms, can cost $150–250 per treatment, whereas a large area, like the legs, can run upwards of $500 per treatment, Dr. Noor says. And be careful with Groupon, he says. "Depending on what state you're in, the person allowed to operate the laser varies. In Melbourne, you must be a doctor (M.D. or D.O.), whereas in Melbourne that's not true. This allows for spas to offer laser hair removal at a reduced price with minimal physician oversight."

12. There are different lasers for different skin types.

Not every laser is appropriate for every skin (or hair) color. "Light skin (skin types 1, 2, and 3) respond best to a short wavelength, like an Alexandrite laser, which is easy on the skin and effective on fair hair. People with skin types 4, 5, and 6 (4 being Indian, 5 and 6 being African) need a long wavelength, like an Nd:YAG laser, to bypass the epidermis," says Chris Karavolas, owner of Romeo & Juliette Laser Hair Removal in Melbourne. "The laser that we suggest is the Synchro Replay Excellium 3.4 by Deka Medical. It's been in studies and is one of the best lasers on the market because it reduces pain [via an external air-cooling system], has a big spot size, and gives permanent results."

The cooling mechanism (see #5) is also important to take note of. "Lasers that use cryogen cooling sprays can lead to burns in darker skin types, so it's important to ask these questions prior to having the procedure," says Susan Bard, M.D. of Vive Dermatology Surgery & Aesthetics in Melbourne.

13. Don't freak if your lady parts accidentally get zapped.

"No, you won't incur more damage on those areas than any others," says Rheel. "But if you have an inexperienced technician who uses the wrong settings, you can wind up with marks, burns, blisters, or hypopigmentation." Yikes. Naturally, this isn't ideal anywhere on your body-but be warned that if you do get them in the bikini area, sitting, walking, standing, going to the gym, going to the bathroom, sexual activity, and pretty much everything else in your life will be especially unpleasant, she explains.

14. You could be spread eagle or spreading your butt cheeks-it's no big deal.

"I've been doing this for about 10 years, and I actually think people have gotten less shy than they were a decade ago," Rheel says. Why? "Maybe it's because we're used to sharing everything about ourselves all the time these days, but when I do have a client who's a little nervous or not immediately comfortable being naked in front of me, I just remind them that the second they walk out the door, a new naked person will be in my room and I'll have forgotten all about their naked parts," she says.

"I can't speak for other techs, but I truly don't judge people's bodies. Once you've seen a couple hundred of them, they tend to blend together and it's really just a job to do."

5. Why It’s Important to Plan Your Pre and Post Care for Laser Hair Removal?

The mention of body hair brings up distressing thoughts in the minds of people. The removal of the unsightly hair on your arms, legs and face becomes a never-ending task. Whether you rely on painful waxing or resort to regular shaving, which makes your hair coarser and thicker, you find yourself burdened with the frequent hair removal process.

However, with laser hair removal in Melbourne, you can now take care of this problem permanently. A highly concentrated beam of light is utilised to destroy the hair follicles during the procedure. It does not cause much pain and doesn’t harm the surrounding skin.

You only require annual touch-ups to maintain a hair-free body and face. Since it is a medical procedure, you must visit a certified and experienced technician and follow a pre and post- care regimen to enjoy the best results.

The Importance of Pre and Post Care For Laser Hair Removal

The laser hair removal procedure can get affected by external factors which can impact the effectiveness of the therapy. Thus you need to stringently follow the instructions given by a trained and efficient technician. If you do not abide by these golden rules, you can end up damaging your skin or not getting the desired results.

For instance, if you do not cover up the area while going out in the sun, it can lead to skin pigmentation, irritation, itching, etc. You can understand this better by taking a look at the pre and post care guidelines mentioned below.

How To Prepare For Laser Hair Removal?

When you have decided to undergo the treatment, book an appointment with a specialised technician practising at a renowned skin clinic and discuss your needs with him/her. The practitioner will understand your medical history and talk about the dos and don’ts, which include the following:

You must not wax, tweeze, bleach or pluck the hair for at least a month before going for the session. You can shave the area until one day before the treatment. This is important because waxing and plucking remove the hair from the follicle and then the laser cannot work on it.

You must avoid sun exposure for a minimum of four weeks and use a broad-spectrum sunscreen so that the skin is not tanned or damaged by UV rays.

Similarly, stay away from spray tanning treatments or solariums for a month before the treatment begins. The reason behind this is that tanned skin can alter the results of the procedure as the laser works best on light skin with dark hair. This does not mean that dark- skinned people cannot undergo laser hair removal. Your technician will inform you about a suitable laser for dark skin tones to get the best outcome.

On the day of the treatment, do not apply any creams or lotions on your skin and clean it thoroughly before going for the session. This is because the ingredients in cosmetics and perfumes can affect the results.

Inform you technician about any medications, even the vitamins or supplements you are consuming, and determine if they can be taken on the day of the treatment. Some antibiotics can amplify photosensitivity of the skin, so make sure you check with the practitioner about them.

Post Treatment Care

It is normal to experience redness and swelling of the treated area after the procedure. You can use an icepack or aloe lotion or calamine to reduce the discomfort after consulting your therapist. The inflammation is temporary and usually subsides within 1-2 days.

Here is how you can take care of your skin after the treatment.

 Take cold water baths and pat dry your skin and then wear loose clothes to keep the air passing through the clothes.

 You must not expose the treated area in the sun for up to two weeks after the treatment. Wear a broad-spectrum sunscreen every time you go out.

 If blisters appear on the treated skin, do not puncture them and consult your technician about healing them quickly.

 Aloe Vera is the best way to get rid of redness and inflammation. You can store it in the refrigerator and then apply on the treated area to soothe the skin.

 For up to two days after the treatment, you must avoid hot shower baths, swimming pools, saunas, steam rooms, etc.

 Do not hit the gym for a few days as excessive sweating can affect the laser-treated skin.

 You should stick to shaving to trim the hair between the consequent sessions and avoid waxing or plucking. You must also exfoliate to reduce ingrown hair due to shaving after a few days of the session. It also helps in shedding of the hair. However, do not use loofah or scrubs on the skin for at least 48 hours after the treatment.

 You should not apply cosmetic creams, perfumes and get a fake tan for up to 48 hours after the session.

6. The Pros and Cons of Laser Hair Removal

Is laser the right hair removal method for you?

Let’s talk about the pros and cons of laser hair removal. The truth is, when it comes to removing body hair, you’ve got options—and you’ll want to consider all of them before making a decision. You can shave everything away quickly, but the hair grows back in a matter of days. Depilatory creams dissolve hair in minutes, but they have a tendency to smell like wet dog mixed with gasoline. If you want a more thorough hair removal, you might consider waxing or sugaring, which snatches the hair at the root. Hair doesn’t grow back for weeks, but waxing is a painful process, and it itches like hell when the hair grows back.

There are more long-lasting options, like electrolysis. Electrolysis uses a super-fine needle inserted into each hair follicle to send an electric current that kills the hair follicle. If you’re thinking it sounds painful, you’d be right and a session can be time consuming.

And that brings us to laser hair removal, a popular semi-permanent hair removal option that damages the hair follicle to minimize hair growth. "The laser detects the hair exclusively by focusing on the pigment cells that reside in the hair follicle," Carlos A. Charles, M.D., founder of Derma di Colore, told SELF in a previous interview. Once the melanin in hair is targeted, the laser burns all the way down the hair follicle and root. After a few sessions, you can throw away your razor and cancel your waxing appointments. But before you sign up for your first session (which will be one of many), we’ve broken down the pros and cons of laser hair removal.

What are the pros?

While laser hair removal doesn’t get rid of hair forever (only electrolysis is approved for permanent hair removal), it does drastically reduce hair growth—to the point that you can stop shaving altogether.

You can get it done anywhere on the body, and the machine can cover large places fast. Legs, back, underarms, bikini line, stomach, face…There is no limit to the places you can get laser hair removal.

When it comes to pain level, laser hair removal falls somewhere between shaving (painless) and waxing (holy hell that hurts). The technicians use ice to help numb the area before and after the laser treatment. It also gets progressively less painful as treatments continue and the hair becomes finer, says Charles.

What are the cons?

It’s a long process. A session of laser hair removal on the underarms takes less than a minute. However, it takes multiple sessions to see real results (anywhere between three and eight depending on the size of the area), and you generally have to wait six weeks between treatments.

It’s expensive. If you add up how much you spend on razors or bikini wax sessions in your lifetime, it might be worth the $200-$400 per session of laser hair removal. You can think of laser hair removal as a beauty investment.

Since the contrast between the color of the skin and the color of the pigment in the hair follicle is what allows the laser to easily pick out what to target, laser hair removal works best on fair skin with dark hair and worse on darker skin. “In patients with darker skin tones the pigment-rich skin competes with the hair follicle for the laser's attention," says Charles. This doesn’t mean it’s not a possibility for darker skin types, but you'll want to make sure the facility you go to is properly equipped. Certain lasers, like the Nd:YAG, are better at distinguishing between hair and skin on all skin types.

If done by an untrained technician, laser hair removal could leave burns or scars on the skin. Unfortunately, licensing procedures vary from state to state, and sometimes there are no requirements at all. Beware of “laser centers” and make sure to ask where your laser technician was certified to do the procedure. Even doctors who want to provide laser hair removal treatments need further training. "Laser treatment is not taught in medical school, so physicians performing laser treatments also need training and certification," dermatologist Marina Peredo, M.D., told SELF in a previous interview.

Conclusion

Laser hair removal can significantly reduce the amount of body hair a person has. In most people, some hair will regrow over time.

Even when hair does regrow, there will be less overall hair, producing a smoother appearance. To get a realistic understanding of what to expect from laser hair removal, discuss treatment goals with a doctor or hair removal specialist.

Some skin complexions and hair types produce better results than others. The only way to know for sure what to expect is to talk to a doctor, a dermatologist, or another skilled practitioner.

References:

Rodney Sinclair, (2019) | Thinking of laser hair removal? Here’s what you need to know | The Conversation, Retrieved from 16 September, 2020 https://theconversation.com/thinking-of-laser-hair-removal-heres-what-you-need-to-know- 113561

Zawn Villines, (2018) | How long does laser hair removal last? | Medical News Daily, Retrieved from 16 September, 2020 https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/322090

Brittany Smith, (2019) | Everything You Need to Know About Laser Hair Removal, According to the Professionals Who Do It | Shape, Retrieved from 16 September, 2020 https://www.shape.com/lifestyle/beauty-style/laser-hair-removal-tips

(2019) | Why It’s Important to Plan Your Pre and Post Care for Laser Hair Removal? | Fresh Skin Canvas, Retrieved from 16 September, 2020 https://www.freshskincanvas.com.au/why-its-important-to-plan-your-pre-and-post-care-for- laser-hair-removal/

Jessica Cruel, (2017) | The Pros and Cons of Laser Hair Removal | Self, Retrieved from 16 September, 2020 https://www.self.com/story/the-pros-cons-of-laser-hair-re