Laser Hair Removal - Going Razor Free
Summary: Shaving is a daily routine that involves a razor and cream and many times results in nicks, cuts and the occasional burn. This daily grooming ritual is loathed equally by both men and women, so it should come as no surprise that an increasing number of people are scheduling an appointment for laser hair removal.
In the late 1990’s a trend began known as “manscaping”: the hairy chest and 5 o’clock shadow are out and the bare,
smooth hair-free torso and arms are in. But it is not just the male population that has adopted the hair-free appearance, more and more women are opting to use laser hair removal to show off bare legs, arms and bikini lines. While once bleaching and waxing ruled the salons, the appeal of 6 months free from shaving, plucking, waxing and bleaching is growing in popularity as the way to achieve the perfect appearance.
Laser hair removal is a procedure that is done either in a doctor’s office or as a spa treatment performed by a certified technician. The laser targets the hair follicle, heating the melanin (inside the follicle) and destroys the tissue. Some patient’s will request a topical anesthesia be applied prior to start of the procedure, while others will insist that laser hair removal is a painless process. Only the patient can know whether or not pain medication is needed.
Laser treatment is very effective at removing hair from several areas of the body:
- Cheeks, neck and chin
- Breasts and shoulders
- Stomach, arms, back, legs and bikini area
Several treatments may be necessary to achieve the desired results. While darker hair is easier to remove, lighter skin tones are found to produce better results. If a patient has a preference for sunbathing, using a tanning bed or applying self-tanner, a 2-3 week period of abstaining from any of these habits is required because skin effected by any of those tends to blister or scar in response to the laser application.
Laser hair removal is not appropriate for everyone. An appointment with a doctor or a dermatologist before the initial treatment is recommended to ensure the desired results are possible. Some skin types do not respond well to the laser, and may show signs of irritation or can be damaged / scarred during the process.
The cost of each treatment will vary by doctor or spa and which body part is being treated, as well as which type of laser is used. One type of laser targets each individual hair follicle, while another sweeps across whole sections of skin. When selecting which facility to have the procedure done, inquire which type of process is used, and whether that would be the best one for the patient’s skin type.
Laser hair removal can be a very effective way to acquire a smooth, hair-free appearance and a way to say goodbye to the dreaded daily razor and shaving cream ritual. To no longer require a day devoted to bleaching and waxing is a wonderful thing indeed, and while another treatment may be necessary in approximately 6 months (on average), most people are pleased with their results. Because this service is available at a spa, some people may view it as a simple “salon” type event. But the skin is the largest organ on the human body and deserves the same respect given every other organ: a.k.a. a doctor’s approval prior to any treatment being done.
