There are many myths surrounding laser hair removal as well as a lot of interest in it. It sounds so futuristic as if little men in space ships are coming to zap our unwanted hair and kill it. But the truth is a little more mundane. Here are three things that may sway your decision about whether to use the laser hair removal technique to get rid of excess hair.
1. Hair is Not Immediately Killed
One session of laser hair removal does not remove hair and stop it ever growing again. The object of the exercise is to damage the hair follicles so that they lose their ability to produce hair. But the damage must be done at the right time – while the hair is actively growing – and also must be extensive enough to have the desired effect. This means that several treatments will be needed to have an effect on any one area of your body and hair will continue to grow between these sessions until it has suffered enough damage at the right time.
2. It Does Not Work for Everyone
Those with blond, red or gray hair need not apply as laser treatment is ineffective unless hair is dark. (The laser attacks the pigment in the hair.) If your skin is dark things will be tricky too because a standard machine will also target the pigment in skin too and damage it. A particular type of machine is needed for dark skin which may or may not be available in your local laser hair removal clinic. And in any case it is not so effective as treatment on those with fair skin.
3. It Offers Only Permanent Reduction
After spending hundreds (and, more usually, thousands) of dollars you may find that some of your hair still grows back. Laser treatment can only be offered as a method of permanent reduction (rather than removal) in unwanted hair. Having said that, most people who have the treatment are happy enough with the level of removal or reduction that they are ready to go on to treat other areas of their body.