Permanent laser hair removal - unwanted hair removal procedure

Perhaps one of the most misunderstood aspects of laser hair removal is the idea that you can throw away your razor after just one treatment. Like electrolysis, laser hair removal requires a series of treatments to be effective and even then, the treatment does not prevent hair follicles from growing new hair, which often happens as people age.

Does not matter, if the medical science says, hair is just a protective outgrowth. Today the role of hair in aesthetic looks outweighs that of physical requirements. And like hair restoration, unwanted hair removal is also a "hair raising story" for many.

Laser hair removal works when light energy penetrates the skin, converts into heat and causes thermal injury to the hair follicle. The high temperature disables the follicle, effectively weakening it. This can inhibit or slow down re-growth. As hair naturally grows in cycles and hair follicles are only zapped into oblivion when the hair follicle is in a growth cycle, laser hair removal will only remove those hairs that are in that growth stage. Repeated visits are necessary to catch all of the hair follicles in one area at one time.

Still, laser hair removal has become one of the most popular methods to remove hair. Laser hair removal is applicable for a wide range of needs, from small area upper lip hair removal for women, facial hair removal, to full body back hair removal for men. The technology has greatly facilitated facial hair removal, back hair removal and removal of unwanted from other parts of the body. If performed properly it gives a lasting result, that's why it is often called as permanent laser hair removal. All this comes with a price and the price of laser hair removal can be considerable.

However it is important to be realistic about what laser hair removal can actually do for you. Considered to be about effective as electrolysis, which does not remove all hair forever either, its main benefit is that a single laser treatment can zap the hair from a larger area all at once.

It also must be understood that laser hair removal does not work for all individuals. Laser hair removal treatment does have some limitations, though it is an established practice for permanent removal of unwanted hair. The treatment may not work at all on coarse or stubborn black hairs and stubble or it may take seven to ten treatments for those hairs to be eliminated, provided that those stubborn hairs are caught in the right growth cycle.

Also, the color and texture of your skin as well as the color of your hair must be taken into consideration. Laser hair removal works best on black hair against very white skin. It is not that effective on blonde hair on white skin or on tanned or black skin. It does not do a thing for white hairs on white, brown or black skin. To achieve optimum results avoid going to a tanning salon before you go for a laser hair removal treatment.

Another caveat is that some people have very sensitive skin that does not tolerate the heat of the laser well. Although the majority of people have little cause to complain, some skins simply break out, blister or boast a mild burn after laser hair removal treatments.

People who have a lot of metal work in their mouth may also suffer some discomfort while undergoing a laser hair removal treatment. This is because the laser is super hot and conducts heat to metal posts that may be beneath the skin of the lower and upper lips.

If a patient or client has extremely sensitive skin the cosmetician or plastic surgeon will apply a topical anesthesia or numbing cream (lidocaine) before applying the laser. The laser is essentially just a wand that is run over the areas of skin with hair. Treatments can take anywhere from ten minutes to an hour to complete depending on the size of the area to be attended too.

After the procedure the treated area may slightly red or swollen. Your doctor or cosmetician will give you a cream or ointment to soothe the area. Once you get home it is important to avoid sun exposure or eating foods with beta-carotene in them as this can cause a dark brown or orange pigmentation to occur on the area that is treated. Foods that have a lot of beta-carotene in them include carrots, orange juice, mangos, yams and squash.

Within the first few weeks after treatment, dead hair will be pushed through the follicles. Although it is dead hair you may have to shave it to completely remove it from your face. Never bleach or wax an area that has been treated by lasers as that can cause scarring, inflammation and burns.

Before you get treated by lasers for hair removal it is important to understand that the best that can be achieved is a temporary stoppage of hair growth for an extended period of time. Almost everybody suffers some regrowth of hair after a treatment but the good news is that the hair that grows back is usually fairer and thinner in texture.