Is Laser Hair Removal Right for Me?

Before you make the decision to undergo laser hair removal you'll want to ask yourself a few questions to determine if this method is right for you. Are you suffering from unwanted facial and/or body hair? Are you willing to experience any pain or discomfort the laser may cause? Can your type of hair follicle be successfully treated? Are you a medically viable candidate for this type of procedure? Answering these questions will help you decide whether laser therapy is the best course of action for you.

Are you sick and tired of shaving, waxing or tweezing the areas of your face and body that have unwanted hair? In addition to doing away with these time-consuming and annoying methods, laser hair removal results last much longer and cause a noticeable reduction in regrowth. If razor burns and cuts are a part of your daily beauty regimen then laser therapy may be the answer to your problem. Unlike other methods, this procedure can be performed on nearly every part of your body including the face, arms, chest, legs and bikini line.

Most patients may experience a small bit of discomfort during the laser removal procedure. To feel ahead of time what the sensation is like, snap a rubber band against your skin. You'll find that this feeling, though a bit startling, quickly disappears. Skin may appear slightly swollen and red following treatment but these slight discomforts fade quickly, usually after a day or two. Many would say that these small temporary side effects are well worth the freedom from shaving, plucking and waxing.

Laser hair removal's recent popularity can be attributed to the impressive results experienced by many of the patients who use it. In and around 1988, when lasers were first used to remove unwanted hair, only those candidates with dark, course hairs and light skin were able to experience the best results. While these individuals still enjoy the most dramatic results, technology has allowed people with lighter hair to part take in this removal method. It remains a fact, however, that very light blonde hair, or "peach fuzz", is not suited for laser treatment. The laser beam targets pigment-producing melanin in the follicle and, as darker hair has a high melanin content, the lighter your hair and skin, the less effective the procedure.

Some people suffer from unusual medical conditions that cause unnaturally rapid hair growth. Determining if you have a medical situation that causes accelerated growth is an important step to take before beginning treatment. Laser therapy is based upon normal hair growth patterns and this type of affliction will render laser removal ineffective.

There are a number of additional medical conditions that would render an individual ineligible for laser hair removal. Lupus, thyroid or ovarian disease and diabetes are all illnesses that would disqualify a potential patient. Tattoos and moles also make successful hair removal more difficult and may make success impossible. These issues should be brought up during the consultation with your dermatologist prior to starting treatment.