Laser Hair Removal -
Making the Decision

When considering what to look for in a clinic, whether its laser hair removal for the woman or laser hair removal for the man, the same criteria will apply.  In the world of laser hair removal, experience counts more than costs and guarantees.  When selecting a clinic to perform laser hair removal, you want the most qualified medical practitioner to performing the procedure.  

It should not be forgotten that laser hair removal results will differ from individual to individual, so it is prudent to avoid any facility that boasts guaranteed complete hair removal.

Also, avoid clinics that offer discounts to get your business.  You especially want to make your selection based on the practitioner's level of experience. Many states have laws governing the qualifications, or requiring certification, of a person who performs laser hair removal.  It is a good idea to check with your state's requirements.  These laws were designed with your protection in mind.

If you've determined that you are a good candidate for laser hair removal, there are several pre-treatment recommendations you should follow to ensure maximum results. First of all, don't tan prior to your treatment sessions. If you ignore this advice, you may have to delay your treatment until the tan is totally faded.

Second, avoid foods that contain beta-carotenes.  This is found mostly in brightly-colored fruits and vegetables and in some vitamin supplements.  The problem is that beta carotene is a pigment that can tint your skin color, impeding the flow of laser energy to the hair follicle.  Because laser hair removal works best on short hair, two to three days prior to your treatment session, you'll have to shave the area to be treated.

During any laser facial hair removal procedure, you'll wear special goggles to reduce the risk of laser light penetrating your eyes. The procedure is really very simple. The medical practitioner presses a laser to an area of skin and then briefly activates the laser. During that fraction of a second that the laser is activated, the laser energy passes through the skin to the hair follicle and damages it so that new hair can no longer grow.  For laser body hair removal or pubic laser hair removal (laser hair removal for bikini appearance is very popular), similar precautions are taken and the process is essentially the same.

As with any medical procedure, there exists the risk of minor side effects. One of the more common side effects associated with laser hair removal is discoloration of the treated skin.  Laser hair removal can also cause other skin discomforts such as swelling, redness, and sometimes even a burning sensation. In most cases, these are only temporary situations.

The advantages of laser hair removal are significant. This is a procedure that is non-invasive, and doesn't involve the use of razors, messy creams, waxes or other home-made depilatories. Another big benefit is that large areas such as legs and backs can be cleared of hair in a single treatment. New hair may continue to grow, but you will notice that it will be a lighter color and its texture will be finer.  After a few laser hair removal treatments, the majority of the hair will be gone or will grow back extremely slow.