Laser Hair Removal Facts

Laser hair removal has been in existence for twenty years now, but it was only in the early eighties that it actually took off commercially. Its name, laser hair removal was first coined by a group at Massachusetts General Hospital. Today this treatment is very effective at removing hair and is very popular in cosmetic clinics. Enough time has lapsed to demonstrate its safety and efficacy in the hands of trained professionals. This is well documented and has been widely published in dermatology and scientific journals.

Laser hair removal is not suitable for everyone though. People with whiter skin and darker hair are those who greatly benefit from this treatment. This is because of selective photothermolysis. Huh? This just means the laser specifically targets and heats the darker hair pigment to damage the growth area in the follicles, yet the laser energy passes harmlessly through anything else.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) first cleared lasers for use in laser hair removal in 1997. Since then this treatment has continued to grow in popularity. Nowadays you can find dedicated laser hair removal clinics in most urban communities. To assess your overall suitability for the laser treatment you will be given a test patch so the laser technician can see how your skin and hair reacts to the treatment. This information gives the technician vital information so she can formulate a treatment plan that's tailored to your individual needs. It will also give you a chance to experience first-hand the sensation of the laser on your skin.

Usually between 6 and 10 treatments will be required to clear an area of hair. This is dependent on the laser used, if there is a hormonal element to the hair growth, and other factors. Treatments are usually given between 4 and six weeks apart, depending on the rate of hair regrowth. Curiously though, there are cases of people who do not respond to this treatment, even though there seems to be no plausible reason why this should be the case. Fortunately this only happens to a very small percentage of the population.

Facial hair usually requires more treatments to achieve the desired result. For sufferers of ingrown hairs or shaving bumps, laser hair removal can be the perfect answer.

Side effects of laser hair removal can include redness and itching, and swelling in the treated area. This normally should not last more than about three days.