Benefits of Hair Removal With a Laser

Have you ever considered using laser treatment in removing unwanted hair? This kind of treatment has been gathering wide support from men and women. Find out why.

Quicker

Laser treatments in removing unwanted hair generally last for minutes. Severe cases, on the other hand, might take a couple of treatment hours. But generally, the treatment itself won't take so much of your time. What's also good about this kind of treatment is that you don't need to spend a day or two just to perform a "ritual" of product applications.

Convenient

Aside from the fact that it is quicker, using laser treatments to remove unwanted hair also presents a convenient choice. This kind of treatment would not require you to follow it up with medications or other similar stuff. You only get to actually devote time on it while you are in the clinic for treatments. Other than that, you can easily slip on a sleeveless dress or carry on a sexy outfit.

Gender neutral

Forget about being a man or a lady. Although laser treatments for removing unwanted hair was primarily introduced for women, the treatment is now offered for men too. With the persistent problems of unwanted hairs on the back chest, face and legs, men now has an easier option to get hair-free.

Permanent

Most, if not all, laser hair removal treatments would have you forget about unwanted hair permanently. There might be cases where people need to go back for another set of treatments to permanently get rid of hair but these are only applicable to those who have very serious hair problems. Otherwise, the laser hair removal treatment program you would be getting into would guarantee that hair would only grow back months or years after your first treatment.

Cost-effective

At first glance, hair removal by laser would appear to be more expensive than buying a razor. One should look at it at an annual perspective. Ask yourself how much you spend on razors and other depilatory products in a year. Compare the amount to the cost of the laser hair removal treatment that you need. For sure, you would find an interesting difference.

By Jeremy Cole

Laser Hair Removal Side Effects - Know Before the Zapping Starts

What do you do with your unwanted growth? You can pluck it out, peel it off, and try to wax it, or try any number of things. But nothing quite works like laser hair removal. Why is this method so fantastic?

Just a little tingling sensation and the growth comes right off. It's safe, with fewer side effects and reports of problems afterward. It works and the hair stays gone. Results have shown that laser removal slows down re-growth.

There's no reason to use the old methods of plucking and peeling when you've got the laser removal option. Lots of happy and hairless customers will tell you it works wonders.

Like all treatments, there are possible side effects to this type of hair removal. It's not 100% safe, but knowing about the possible side effects can help reduce risk and ensure that your treatment is safe and successful.

Too Much Tingle: Although people report that all you feel is a little tingling sensation, some people with sensitive skin have experienced pain during the procedure. Tingling is okay, but if it actually hurts, tell the doctor to stop and explain how you feel. There shouldn't be any pain, but if there is, they can give you a little local anesthetic and then proceed with the treatment.

Swelling and Redness: People with sensitive skin may also experience some swelling and redness. This can be easily treated with creams the surgeon can apply before and after the operation. If you've had sensitive skin trouble in the past, let them know and they will know what to do. You may experience redness and swelling for a couple of days after treatment as well. If so, they will prescribe something for you.

Laser Scarring: Some folks have reported scars after their procedure. This is very rare and happens most often to those who have a deep tan. Modern technology has improved the procedure so that scarring has become even rarer, but if you're concerned about it, talk to your doctor beforehand.

Rare Side Effects: There are a few more serious complications that occur, but they are rare. Hairs can become ingrown and cause scabbing. There can be burns or some temporary pigment changes. In any of these cases, contact your doctor immediately for treatment. These conditions are much easier to treat if dealt with right away.

Talk to your doctor beforehand about laser hair removal side effects. Complications are very rare with this treatment, but make sure you're informed before you get your unwanted hairs zapped off.

By A Aaronson

Secrets of Laser Hair Removal

Since the invention of the wheel, women and men have contrived ways to eliminate the appearance of unwanted hair. Until the late 19th century none of the earlier methods of hair removal produced any permanent eradication of hair growth. This changed with the first method of permanent hair destruction which was called "electrolysis". It entailed a slow process involving inserting a metal wire into the hair follicle and energizing it with a small amount of DC electrical current. This process caused a chemical transformation to occur which creates sodium hydroxide within the hair's follicle causing destruction of the hair's regenerative properties through chemical decomposition of the papilla which allows blood to nourish and stimulate the matrix cells that give birth to a new hair. Permanent cessation of hair regeneration was now an achievable reality. Thus an industry was born! With the advancements in electrical engineering in the 20th century came high frequency alternating current. While still having to insert a metal wire inside the follicle, high frequency current introduced into the hair follicle destroyed hair growth by generating heat through its oscillating electron affect upon the moisture within the follicle walls. This process is called "electrical coagulation" and causes hair destruction in a split second as opposed to the old direct current electrolysis method which took up to three minutes to destroy one hair.

In the mid 1990s a new approach to permanent hair destruction was applied which revolutionized the industry, making it possible to disable thousands of hair follicles in a few minutes. This is laser hair removal. Laser is an acronym that stands for Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation. It is the most popular permanent hair reduction method in use today. Hair elimination by laser, unlike any other permanent hair destruction method is completely noninvasive. It operates on the principals of selective photothermolysis whereby the electromagnetic energy emitted by the laser is absorbed into the target chromophore which is the hair's melanin. This process creates heat within the hair shaft that travels down to the papilla and denatures its regenerative capability.

Lasers are by far the most efficient weapon we have today in our fight against unwanted hair. However, different lasers produce electromagnetic energy {light} of different wavelengths. The wavelength emitted by the laser is indicative of its target chromophore. Therefore different wavelengths of energy will have more or less impact regarding melanin absorption whereby being more or less affective in causing reduction in hair growth. This being said, let's take a look at the lasers that are used for hair destruction and the pros and cons of their particular emitted wavelengths. The ruby laser emits light at a 694nm wavelength. It achieves the highest melanin absorption of any other laser used for hair removal. However, with this extreme absorption potential comes a high risk of hyperpigmentation and hypopigmentation on anyone other than the lightest skin tones. Also because of its shorter wavelength, maximum depth penetration is limited to about 2mm. This is often too shallow to send enough heat to disable the blood supply which promotes new hair growth especially in coarser, more developed hairs. The ruby laser was used in the mid 1990s but soon took a back seat to safer and more effective laser systems, such as are used by hair removal professionals today.

The Nd:YAG laser emits an invisible ray of light at a 1064nm wavelength. It is weaker pertaining to melanin absorption in comparison to other laser systems used for hair reduction. While it may lack in melanin absorption, which makes it the laser of choice for tanned and darker toned individuals, it has the highest depth penetration of all laser systems designed for hair destruction {almost 6mm} due to its longer emitted wavelength. This makes it possible to reach the hair producing papilla of even to deepest rooted hairs. However, because of the weaker melanin absorption capability of the Nd:YAG laser the hair will require more treatments than with other laser systems to achieve permanent elimination of hair growth; due to its lower heat producing ratio within the structure of the hair shaft. Diode lasers produce a few different wavelengths of light depending on their internal circuitry.

Regarding hair eradication we are concerned with the 800nm wavelength of visible electromagnetic energy {light} emitting diode laser. It has higher melanin absorption potential than the Nd:YAG laser. Therefore it is more likely to cause adverse skin reactions on clients with darker skin types. It can penetrate up to 4mm below the skin surface which is more than necessary to sufficiently denature even the coarsest and deepest hairs. The alexandrite laser emits a ray of visible light at a 755nm wavelength. The alexandrite is the prodigy of the old ruby laser, whereas it has excellent melanin absorption while still being safe and effective in causing permanent hair reduction even up to olive skin tones. Like the 800nm diode laser it can penetrate up to 4mm below the skin surface instilling sufficient heat to disable the regenerative properties of hair follicles on a massive scale. For client comfort, efficient permanent hair destruction, speed, and ease of use, the alexandrite laser far surpasses all other laser systems in use today. Expected results are of paramount concern to anyone contemplating laser hair removal treatment. This can be assessed through careful observation of the four intrinsic factors which determine if a client is a candidate for this procedure.

These factors are:

1. Skin tone. This determines the percentage of the laser energy that will be absorbed by the skin. Darker skin tones dictate a lessening of the laser's intensity output in order to prevent unfavorable tissue reaction. Therefore in darker skinned clients more treatments will be needed to achieve comparable results to clients of lighter skin tones.

2. Hair color. This is a relevant factor in evaluating the potential outcome of a laser hair destruction treatment. Melanin concentration within the hair shaft is indicative of the amount of heat generated and released into the germinative matrix cells and papilla, which are responsible for producing new hair growth. This is evaluated by the laser technician so that the proper energy perimeters are applied in order to achieve maximum denaturing effect within the follicle.

3. Hair density. When many hairs are treated in close proximity to each other some cumulative heat is produced which is absorbed by the surrounding tissue. This is not an adverse situation as a competent laser hair removal technician will set the laser's energy perimeters to compensate for this effect while still achieving optimum results.

4. Hair diameter. The thickness of a hair is a relevant consideration regarding its thermal relaxation time. A thicker hair will take longer to absorb sufficient heat than a thinner hair. Also a thicker hair will hold its heat for a longer time, instilling its heat into the surrounding tissue. This need not be a problem as a competent laser hair removal technician will adjust the timing and intensity levels to safely achieve optimum hair destruction.

Through an understanding of these laws of photodynamic behavior it becomes obvious that many different scenarios can exist. However, some rules of thumb do apply and from these a probable outcome can be estimated of the efficacy of the treatments. This can best be ascertained through observation by your laser hair removal technician during your initial consultation. In general a 30% elimination of hair regrowth per treatment session is an average result.

By Tracy Hons

About Laser Hair Removal

Hair that appears on the body in poor regions on the back, chest, face, legs and arms can appear and feel cosmetically unattractive. Laser hair removal has become progressively admired option to eternally eliminate any hair growth that is unwanted, mainly in more intimate regions of the body such as cleavage, the bikini line, thighs and buttocks region.

One of the fastest growing regions of cosmetic dermatology, this procedure has been effectively done since the 1970s has overtaken the more normal procedure of electrolysis as the normal procedure for getting rid of unnecessary hair. The practice utilizes light in a selection of wavelengths to completely take out the hair follicle so that no future growth appears.

This procedure is a protected and effective remedy for ingrown hair, getting rid of the red sore bumps that commonly show up in such areas.

A lot of patients opt for laser hair removal because it is an essentially painless operation that requires little downtime and only a minor over the counter medication to address any bad feelings after the operation. In the hands of a dermatologist skilled in this version of everlasting hair removal, the operation has very little anxiety yet maximum efficiency and long lasting outcomes.

As with any dermatology practice, there are likely side effects, making it essential to do the operation only with an expert cosmetic dermatologist. Fleeting redness and swelling may result, and in rare cases, burning and changes in skin color may be observable. Doing a lot of research, evaluating multiple options and picking a correct doctor are all intelligent decisions before undergoing the procedure.

By Ross Michaels

Affordable Hair Removal - What Are Your Affordable Hair Removal Options?

There are all sorts of options for affordable hair removal. The problem is that not all the options work as well as others. Traditional wisdom tells us that we have to work a little harder or spend a little more time on products for removing hair that are going to be more affordable.

Times are changing and one thing we're learning is that sometimes you really can have the icing and the cake. So what are some of your options and what are their pros and cons?

Make Your Own Products for Removing Hair:

In the past, the most affordable hair removal method was the DIY (do it yourself) method. The problem with this particular method is that it is messy, time consuming, and ineffective most of the time. In addition to that there are no guarantees offered on the products you make yourself.

Many of the products and/or services you can buy do at least offer some sort of money back guarantee. While the cost is low the final price might be a little higher than you realize for this method in time, ingredients, labor, and wasted effort.

Over the Counter Solutions:

If you haven't paid attention in the drug store recently it's time to take a look at all the affordable hair removal products on the market. There are plenty to choose from but there is one glaring problem with most of them.

What's the problem? They are only effective in a very small (for the most part) very specific section of skin.

There are products for your lips, for your chin, for your eye brows, legs, and bikini area. You'll find very few, if any, products that are for all areas of the skin. Once you add up the costs of a different product for every problem spot you could be spending more money than you anticipate.

Waxing for Hair Removal:

For the brave hearted among us waxing has proven to be an effective and not, too costly method of removing hair from various body parts. What's the problem with this process? Oh the pain! While some women consider it a small price to pay, many women find the idea of repeating this painful process month after month not at all appealing.

Perhaps now is a great time to explore new options and consider an affordable hair removal product that is virtually painless, quick to use, and delivers real results.

Are you looking for a versatile hair removal product that is safe, effective and easy to use?

By Monica West