Is Laser Hair Removal Worth the Cost? Some Answers to Questions

Is laser hair removal worth the cost and time the procedure requires? For some this treatment can be life changing in a big way, but other individuals may be disappointed with the results that they get. Your mileage may vary, so if you're still not sure whether or not you should commit to the procedure, here are some questions and answers you should consider. How much is it worth to you? Not enough people ask themselves what price they'd be willing to pay to no longer wax or shave. If you have sparse or light colored follicles and find yourself not removing it more than once or twice a month, the time investment and money required for laser hair removal might not be worth the financial investment in the long term. The treatments can add up and there is no guarantee how many sessions it will ultimately take. Will you mind growth in between sessions? You have to wait anywhere from three to eight weeks between sessions in order for the re-growth cycle to being, allowing the technician to get all areas. While you may be able to shave or tweeze in between, you do need some length before a session. That may mean two to three weeks worth of growth in order to achieve optimal results after each session. Not every person is comfortable with leaving stubble for this period. Are you a candidate? Many people are not even suitable candidates for laser hair removal in the first place. A person must have darkly pigmented follicles. However, they must all have reasonably lightly pigmented skin (those with dark skin risk permanent discoloration). People with fair skin and black hairs will therefore have the best results. Coarse texture is also more receptive to the treatment than fine. Are there any health risks? While uncommon, there are some potential risks and complications that can arise following the procedure. Mild side effects include itching, swelling, acne flare-ups, tenderness and redness at the site. More severe complications are burns, skin pigment changes, scabs, and infection. Choosing a well trained technician may significantly reduce the chance of developing complications, as those who are inexperienced may use the wrong settings or overexpose the area. Are there any additional benefits? Some patients seek laser hair removal to help them stop the development of persistent ingrown hairs. These painful lumps form when the follicle grows inward on itself and burrows back into the skin. They appear to look like small pimples or cysts, but can quickly become infected if not removed. They commonly occur following shaving and to a lesser extent waxing. Lasers can help remove them and reduce their growth. Is it painful? The sensation has been likened to that of a rubber band being repeatedly snapped against the skin's surface. If you can stand the pain of waxing than this is not much worse. It isn't pleasant, but it also isn't intolerable. If you have a low pain threshold, try treating smaller areas first such as the under arms before moving on to more sensitive areas.