. Is Laser Hair Removal Right For Me?

Some people find their unwanted hair so embarrassing and inconvenient that it compromises their happiness, or free-time.
People get hair removal by laser over other methods of hair removal for a variety of reasons ranging from being self-conscious of facial hair, in-grown hairs, or the sheer time it takes to shave or wax on an ongoing basis.
Lasers usually target melanin so if you have dark hair and light skin you may be the “ideal candidate”. Since lasers usually target melanin, it may be more of a challenge to remove hair from people with dark skin. The same goes for removing hair from tanned people or people taking photo-sensitive medications such as Accutane. Lasers vary however, and many clinics have more than one laser that it better at removing hair from different types of clients. Bottom-line is that it makes sense to fill out our Free Consultation to find out if the laser clinic nearest to you has a laser that is appropriate for you.
Laser may be expensive, but from our experience, clients commonly come from every walk of life; each having very personal reasons for getting laser hair removal (sometimes from every imaginable body area). Remember not to be embarrassed to tell your laser technician about your unwanted hair. They are there to help you, and used to hearing a variety of requests. You are not alone in wanting your hair removed!
Click here to fill out our brief on-line questionnaire to see if laser hair removal is right for you.

How Does Laser Hair Removal Work?

A laser is a machine that emits one wavelength of intense light. Some lasers target melanin. These lasers can be used to target the melanin within hair.

The Laser Hair Removal Procedure

A pulse of energy is sent through the laser hair removal hand-piece. Since laser light involves heat to stop the hair follicle from growing again, a cooling system is needed to protect the skin. Sometimes the cooling system is a chilled laser hair removal tip, and sometimes it is in the form of a gel or a spray used during the laser hair removal procedure.
When the laser heat reaches the hair follicle, it deters or stops future hair re-growth of unwanted hair.
Typically, laser hair removal requires 3-5 treatments.

How Laser Hair Removal Works

If you're interested in laser hair removal, it's important, as a first step, to learn how it works. Laser hair removal technology is the use of an invisible beam of light and a constant source of heat that penetrates the hair follicle, disabling and then destroying it at its root while preserving the surrounding skin.
The procedure of removing unwanted hair is simply targeting the follicle and then directing the laser beam at its root. The hair removal process begins as the laser beam finds the hair follicle that it is targeting by first finding the melanin (the dark color of the hair).

Who can benefit from Laser Hair Removal?

Laser hair removal works best on those people with dark hair and fair skin.
Melanin is also found in skin, so those people with dark skin either from suntans or by birth will not be ideal candidates for laser hair removal. Neither will red headed or light blond haired people — simply because the laser is solely attracted to the darkness of the hair.
Laser hair removal is most successful when the hair is in its anagen phase (the phase when a hair follicle is its active growth). This phase lasts several years — 85% of our hair is in that phase at any given time. During this phase, the hair is easily targeted and more easily destroyed.

Are there any problems with Laser Hair Removal?

Unlike other hair removal methods such as electrolysis, waxing and, of course, shaving, laser hair removal is the most state-of-the-art and high-tech method in removing unwanted hair for longer (and even indefinite) periods of time. It is the only proven method available for easily removing hair from mass areas of the body including back, chest, legs and face. Laser hair removal is effective, precise and cost efficient.
The laser simply and directly pinpoints the root of the hair and removes it from the body. Although the process is precise and beneficial, it can be irritating to the skin — therefore it is important that the surrounding skin be cooled with a gel, a spray or a cooling device throughout the procedure. These cooling systems prevent the laser beam from causing harm or discomfort to the surrounding skin.
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Types of Lasers

There are currently four types of lasers used for hair removal:

• Alexandrite – such as the Candela GentleLase Plus
• Ruby – such as the EpiTouch or Epilaser
• Diode – such as the Coherent Light Sheer
• ND and LP ND Yag – such as the Candela GentleYag and the Altus Cool Glide

Each of these techniques is FDA-approved and proven effective, fast and safe methods for successful hair removal and permanent hair reduction.

What to look for

Although it is the work of the laser that removes the hair follicle, successful laser hair removal depends upon the skill and knowledge of the technician who manipulates and maneuvers the laser. That is, once the laser is selected, it is the mastery of the technician that will yield the best results.
Now let's better understand the technique involved. Words like pulse, fluency and time are imperative to you, the consumer. These techniques will ensure that your experience is comfortable and effective.
For instance, long pulsed lasers are considered to be the safest. Energy and fluency levels of the laser can be specified depending on your personal skin type. The time allowed between pulses of light allows the skin and follicle to cool for longer periods of time, making your experience more pleasant. The size of the area on your skin's surface affects the speed and penetration of the laser — a larger area allows the technician to go deeper into the root of the hair follicle, which can give you better results per session.
Laser hair removal is not a one-time procedure. But, in just a few sessions, you can feel like a different person. The power of the laser is unchallenged by any other hair removal method available.
Now that you have some definitions about laser hair removal let us help you make some decisions. View our Frequently Asked Questions to investigate further if laser hair removal is right for you — or, to find out if you are a good candidate for laser hair removal, just take our Free Instant Consultation.

How Laser Hair Removal Works

Excessive body hair on men and women can be embarrassing and upsetting and can take a toll on self esteem. But people shouldn't let unwanted body hair stand in the way of their happiness.
There are many ways to get rid of unwanted body hair, including shaving, waxing, depilatories, electrolysis, and laser hair removal. Each has its advantage and disadvantages and which to choose is a highly personal decision.
This guide offers some advantages and disadvantages of various methods and can help you decide which one might work best for you. Keep in mind that hair removal is often not permanent and is a continual process.

Shaving

Of all the methods of hair removal, shaving is the most temporary. Shaving merely trims the hair at the skin surface and does not affect the hair at its roots.
You should be sure to apply moisturizer to your skin so the razor won't cut you. Many men and women find they have to shave on a daily basis in order to maintain a groomed look. If long-lasting hair removal is your goal, this method is not for you.

Waxing

Waxing is a tried and true method of removing large amounts of hair at one time. Wax can be applied hot or cold. The hair sticks to the wax and comes up when the wax is pulled off. It is fast and can be done at home or at a salon. But it can also be messy, difficult to get consistent results, and you must be careful to avoid infections that can result from burning your skin. What's more, waxing at a salon can be costly.
Typically, waxing can be done on most parts of the body, the exceptions being the male genitals, nipples, inside the ears and nose, and eyelashes. Hair will generally reappear between three and eight weeks. You might find the hair is finer or that some never grows back.

Depilatories

Depilatories are creams or liquids that are applied to the skin's surface, dissolving the hair so that it can be wiped or washed away. Depilatories work quickly — doing the best job on the legs, underarms, and bikini area — and are easily obtainable and inexpensive. But, they only last up to a few weeks, are messy, and often smell bad. Some people are allergic to them. People with coarse hair may not find depilatories particularly effective.

Electrolysis

If you're looking for a permanent solution to hair removal, and have only a small area where you want hair removed, electrolysis may be for you. Keep in mind, however, that many people find it painful. (A topical anesthetic may be applied to ease the pain.)
This procedure requires several treatments during which a professional inserts a needle into the hair follicle, zapping it with an electric current and killing the root.
Electrolysis is the most expensive and takes the most time. Nonetheless, people with certain skin and hair types, for whom laser hair removal is not an option, might find electrolysis the option for them. Expect to pay upwards of $150 an hour for electrolysis.

Laser Hair Removal