It’s really so tedious having to shave every so often just to bare some skin, especially during the spring and summer months. Technology had added other ways to remove unsightly hair, depilatory creams, waxing and electrolysis (this last being called the permanent solution until technology took lasers to all aspects of our lives).

If facial hair or hair legs and underarms make you self conscious, laser hair removal may solve your hair removal issues permanently.

Who would need laser hair removal?

Body and facial hair are usually taken to signify virile machismo in a number of cultures. But more and more countries do not see it that way, especially when body and facial hair are excessively greater than the norm. Then it is considered unappealing. Men with hair on the stomach, on shoulders and back would go for laser hair removal.

Women, who have long been the common clients for hair removal products, would seek laser hair removal for hair on the bikini area, on the chest, hands, toes, face or other body areas where hair would detract from their appearance.

Laser hair removal process

Laser hair removal is the employment of concentrated light directly on the hair shaft and follicle to break through and tear it down. The light focuses on melanin, the chemical responsible for the hair’s color. So laser hair removal will work efficiently only on hair strands that are dark and coarse.

This procedure has surpassed the popularity of electrolysis for permanent hair removal because of its speed and efficiency. The technique used in electrolysis for the individual hair follicle can sting and use up time. For light-collared hair, electrolysis seems to be the only option, as yet.

How long and effective laser hair removal is, on the face or any other part of the body, depends on the expertise and background of the one doing the procedure. This can be done by dermatologists, plastic surgeons and aestheticians, who are not physicians. If the procedure is not done correctly, or effectively, you may have to return to the clinic and undergo follow up sessions.

Usually, more than 1 session is needed to remove the hair completely because this type of procedure works only on hair follicles that are in a “growing” stage. Those that are in a “resting” phase will need further treatments until total removal. The number of sessions varies upon the hair type and skin color because hair on dark skin entails more difficulty in this procedure, and the size of the area to be treated as well.

Laser hair removal equipment

There are now assorted kinds of light systems used for laser hair removal, varying with each hair technician and type of hair for treatment. The Alexandrite laser hair removal is the most effective, at the same time it is considered safest for light skin with dark hair. Medium skin types benefit from the pulsed diode array while dark skin is worked with the Yag laser, the only safe equipment for dark skin.

Recovery

Laser hair removal commonly results in some irritation and swelling after the treatment. These, however, can be diminished by applying cold compress right after the procedure. The seemingly sunburnt look, and feel, goes after a few days. Non-allergenic moisturizers are usually recommended for application on the treated skin.

Author Bio: Article courtesy of http://www.CosmeticSurgeryToday.com, the consumer’s guide to plastic cosmetic surgery information and resources. Please visit http://www.cosmeticsurgerytoday.com/laser-hair-removal/ for more information.

Category: Wellness, Fitness and Diet
Keywords: body hair, face hair, laser hair removal, electrolysis