What is laser hair removal?

Laser hair removal is a method of permanently removing unwanted hair from the body. This method was first introduced about 20 years ago and became commercially available in the UK in the mid 1990s. Laser hair removal utilises an intense, pulsating beam of laser light energy to help you permanently get rid of unwanted hair. The light beam is passed through the skin targeting the dark pigment, called melanin, in hair. The intense heat of laser light destroys the hair follicle instantly and prevents the growth of new hair.

Laser hair removal is now generally accepted in the dermatology community and has become a widely practiced way to remove unwanted hair permanently from small and large areas of the body.

5 common bodily areas of hair removal

The highly effective and immensely popular method of hair removal can be used to remove unwanted hair from a wide range of body areas and surfaces. Here we have listed the 5 main body areas where laser treatment is quite popular -

• Facial hair removal - Laser therapy is considered to be the most effective way to remove facial hair. Women are increasingly making use of laser therapy to remove unwanted hair from their face such as those on the upper lip, chin and side-burns.

• Leg hair removal - Women who are tired of the painful, clumsy processes of waxing and shaving are resorting to laser treatment to remove unwanted hair from their legs.

• Bikini line - This is one of the most sensitive areas where most other hair removal methods fail to give desired results. Besides, it is quite cumbersome to repeat the process every few days. Laser therapy works on the bikini area effectively helping women to get rid of unwanted hair permanently.

• Under-arm hair removal - Hairs on the under-arms are considered unsightly and women carrying them are considered un-groomed. To avoid the embarrassment of ever being seen with un-shaved underarms, women are increasingly making use of laser hair removal treatment.

• Back hair removal - Women who love to wear backless dresses or wish to draw attention to their curving back are making use of laser therapy to get rid of unwanted back hair permanently.

Other areas of the body where laser treatment can be effectively used are the - arms, back, thighs, shoulders and even the nipples.

The difference between electrolysis and laser hair removal

Both electrolysis and laser hair therapy are methods of permanent hair removal but there are a lots of differences between the 2 methods -

Electrolysis treats single hair follicles one at a time and is therefore a labour-intensive and time consuming process. Laser hair removal, on the other hand, targets dozens of hundreds of follicles simultaneously, and for small procedures may only require a single session.

Electrolysis is an invasive technique in which a needle penetrates deep through the skin into the hair follicle. On the other hand the laser hair removal procedure is a non-invasive technique that does not need needles inserted into the body, the only thing penetrating into the skin is the laser light energy.

In electrolysis the treated hair follicle should not have to be revisited since the process destroys a follicle permanently. Laser hair removal on the other hand prevents hair growth for several months or even years, but in due course, the follicles will begin growing hair again but you will be able to take up a further laser treatment on the same follicles.

Things you must know about laser hair removal

• Modern day lasers are quick and gentle and can work on a wide variety of skin colours
• Laser treatment is easier to perform on light skin. Results appear faster and better.
• It requires multiple sessions to get optimum results of laser treatment
• You may experience discomfort during the process
• There is a likelihood of re-growth as laser treatment cannot possibly stop hair growth, though it can reduce growth rate permanently after hair cells are killed.
• Laser treatment is quite expensive
• Get the treatment conducted through an expert
• Make sure all precautions are taken during the treatment like applying a layer of protective cream over the skin or wearing eye goggles

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