"Laser
Hair Removal"
Laser
Hair Removal Information & Prices
How
Laser Hair Removal Works Laser
hair removal systems emit a gentle beam of light that passes
through the skin to the hair follicle. The hair absorbs it, the
energy from the laser is transformed into heat and the hair
follicle is disabled.
Hundreds of
hair follicles can be treated simultaneously so the process
is much quicker than electrolysis which can be a tedious, painful
process destroying each hair follicle one at a time. This method
is quite safe. It uses a wavelength of light which passes
through the skin. Unlike x-rays, there is no residual left in
the body. Skin may
appear pink or red after treatment. This disappears -
in some cases after some minutes, in other cases after a few
hours, or in still other cases, a few days. Use of cold packs
will speed up the recovery time. Those
Best Suited For Laser Hair Removal Coolglide Technology With
CoolGlide's unique design, there is now the flexibility to treat
all skin types. Before CoolGlide, tanned patients and persons
with darker skin could not expect good results from laser treatment. A
CoolGlide device has a longer wavelength which allows it to treat
all skin tones. While patients with fair skin still respond the
best, medical studies indicated that patients with tanned or
dark skin can now achieve hair reduction equal to fair skinned
patients without undesireable side effects. Other
Laser Hair Removal Devices With
some laser equipment, an absolute requirement is that the hair
must be darker than the surrounding skin. White
skin with dark hair responds best. Persons with dark, coarse
hair are the easiest to treat as dark hair contains melanin,
a dark pigment which attracts the laser light so more laser energy
is absorbed. Fewer sessions are needed. Light
colored hair is more difficult to treat and blonde and red hair
are very difficult to treat requiring multiple sessions with
varied results. Anyone
on a diet high in beta-carotene will need to change eating habits
if they want best results. Beta-carotene, found in vitamin A,
carrots, squash and other vegetables produces a yellow or orange
color in the skin which absorbs the laser energy and interferes
with it reaching the hair follicle. As
beta-carotene can remain in the body for months, an adjustment
in diet may be needed well in advance for optimum results. Persons
with light skin are the easiest to treat, requiring less sessions
as the results are faster. Persons with dark skin or sun tanned
skin take longer to get results because melanin, the dark pigment
in hair, is also present in skin. Melanin
absorbs some of the laser light. There is the danger of dark
skin being burned in these instances so a laser beam with a lower
energy level is used. For this reason also a higher level of
expertise is required on the part of the clinic. Length
Of Laser Hair Removal Sessions This varies from
person to person with skin, hair coloring and coarseness of hair
all affecting the time. Here
are some estimates which can give an approximate guide.
- Back
1½ -3 hours
- Shoulders
10-20 minutes
- Underarms
1-2 minutes
- Bikini
Line 8-10 minutes
- Upper
lip less than 1 minute
- Chin
2-3 minutes
- Legs
1½ -3 hours
At
least 2 or 3 laser hair removal treatments are necessary,
and hair that has been waxed or removed with tweezers could need
from 5 to 8 treatments. Photo-Epilation Photo-Epilation
or pulsed light devices use the same principle as in laser
hair removal but they are not lasers. An intense pulsed light
is used to disable hair follicles with minimal side effects. It
can be effective in hair removal but requires a higher
level of skill in operating as it is more difficult to
adjust than lasers. Due
to it's larger spot size, large areas of the body such
as the back or legs can be treated rapidly. One study showed
a 50 to 60 percent clearance of hair in 12 weeks. Miscellaneous
Notes Pain
varies from person to person depending on their sensitivity.
Some have described the sensation to a slight sting on the
skin. Others say it feels like a pinch on the skin. After
the first treatment hair will gradually fall out over
the next two months. Repeated treatments are necessary to catch
all the hairs in their various stages of growth. As
for guarantees, due to the variables involved it is impossible
to predict exactly what the results will be for any individual.
Many reputable laser hair removal clinics avoid giving guarantees for
this reason. To
ensure maximum results with laser hair removal, follow up with
a hair inhibitor.
Click Here For Information
on Hair Inhibitors
Laser
Hair Removal Prices Laser
hair removal prices can vary greatly depending on the
geographic area. A candidate's physical features also
affect laser hair removal prices. Individual
consultations are necessary to establish accurate laser
hair removal prices. Note: Due to the variables involved it
is impossible to predict exactly what the results will be for
any individual. Many reputable clinics avoid giving guarantees
for this reason. A consumer
guide on laser hair removal gives $500 per treatment session
as a reasonable average with 3 to 4 sessions often necessary.
Another survey on laser hair removal prices in the U.S.A. gives
these averages according to area: Average
Cost for 1 treatment:
- Midwest -
$497
- East -
$458
- South -
$307
- West -
$469
When
checking laser hair removal prices in your area, ask for special
offers. Also
you could offer to pay for all treatments upfront in
exchange for a discount. Additionally,
you could try and get a discount by giving a referral if
you have a friend who also wishes to receive laser hair removal
treatment. Some
practitioners offer a 6 treatment package which includes
1 free if you pay for 5. Others
may even offer a 50% discount on the regular laser hair removal
prices if you need more than 6 treatments. In
other cases, laser hair removal prices can be reduced by seeking
discounts on additional areas to be treated. Some for
example, offer a 10% reduction in cost for each additional area. A
final tip - to clarify the laser hair removal prices you
are given, be sure to find out whether the quote is for both
arms, underarms, or legs or just one. Conclusion: Laser
hair removal prices can vary greatly. Do your research, use the
guidelines above in trying to get discount prices and go with
the clinic that offers you a professional service for
a reasonable price.
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