What You Need to Know About Laser Hair Removal

Are you looking for more information about laser hair removal? In simple terms, laser hair removal is defined as a cosmetic procedure where you get your unwanted body hair and facial hair removed with the use of a targeted beam of light. The machine used for this procedure emits a specific wavelength of light. The light basically targets the dark coloring in the hair follicles, generally called chromophores, and destroys them.
 

Most laser hair removal techniques practiced today focus on the chromophores that naturally occur in hair follicles, particularly on melanin. Melanin is the chemical that gives our hair and skin their color. There are two subtypes of melanin that colors the hair: eumelanin is responsible for brown or black hair coloring, while red or blonde hair coloring is possible through pheomelanin. Since laser hair removal techniques only targets dark hair coloring, it is only effective on eumelanin.

 Not a Permanent Hair Removal Solution

 Although laser hair removal was made available commercially as a cosmetic procedure around a decade ago, dermatologists and other medical practitioners have been experimenting on it for uses such as removing skin blemishes like acne scars and dark spots. It also saw usage as a tattoo removal technique.

 The one thing that should always be emphasized about laser hair removal is the fact that it is not a permanent solution to ridding unwanted hair. Government agencies like the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the United States do not allow approved laser hair removal treatments to be advertised as a permanent method of removing unwanted hair. Thus, these treatments are more described as "permanent reduction" methods of hair removal.

 Since laser hair removal is more of a permanent reduction treatment, you will probably need to endure multiple sessions of the treatment in order to rid yourself completely of your unwanted hair. But then again, you cannot be sure that all your unwanted hair will be removed and if you had too much of the treatment, you may end up damaging your skin with scarring.

 Because of the risks involved with laser hair removal treatments, it is very important for you to see a qualified dermatologist for this procedure. The dermatologist should be able to tell you whether or not this procedure is good for you. After all, ideal patients for this procedure are light-skinned people with dark hair. If you are tanned or have naturally dark skin, you will have to take more care if you go through this treatment.

 Again, Remember

 As mentioned above, laser hair removal is a cosmetic procedure meant to target the melanin in hair follicles. It works best on light-skinned patients with dark hair. Thus, before you subject yourself to this treatment, you should remember that:

 1. Laser hair removal is not a painless treatment. You will feel the light burn your hair follicles, and while this is not always the case, you may need to take pain relievers.

2. You should aim for safety rather than for a permanent solution to ridding unwanted hair. Too much laser treatment can result in skin scarring.

3. You need to be aware that your unwanted hair can grow back again. Once again, laser hair removal is not a permanent solution.

 4. Laser hair removal is way different from hair removal using electrolysis. If you are considering both procedures to get rid of unwanted hair, you should analyze both their advantages and disadvantages.

5. Whatever choice you make about how to rid yourself of unwanted hair, you should seek the advice of a qualified dermatologist.