Laser Hair Removal – The Preferred Choice To Remove Unwanted Hair

2008-06-02T01:29:00.000-07:00

When you have made the decision to rid yourself of unwanted hairs there are two choices to consider electrolysis and laser. As with electrolysis, cases of scarring have been reported, but these are extremely rare. Compared with electrolysis, laser hair removal is more precise and much faster. Electrolysis is intended to be a permanent hair procedure, but much like laser hair removal, it is not guaranteed to be 100% effective. Prior to laser technology, the only options for removing unwanted hair were smelly hair removal creams, sharp razors, stinging wax or painful electrolysis needles. In fact, laser technology is already eliminating the need for these traditional methods.

Almost anybody who has undesirable hair is a candidate for laser hair removal. Both men and women have found laser technology beneficial for hair removal. A common area where laser hair removal is used is the face, chin, and upper lip on women. Another area to receive laser hair removal for women is the legs.

For laser hair removal to work, the light energy is selectively absorbed by highly pigmented hair fibers and hair follicles. So, less laser energy is required to remove upper lip hair than for pubic hair. Several wavelengths of laser energy have been used for hair removal, from visible light to near infrared radiation. In facial hair removal, a low energy laser beam is directed towards a group of hair follicles.

Current laser hair removal techniques use wavelengths of light that target melanin, the pigment that determines color of both hair and skin. The level of pain depends on the patient and the person's skin and hair type. The presence of a suntan makes hair removal less effective and increases the likelihood of scarring or skin injury. As such, skin color must be taken into consideration. The risks can include skin discoloration, swelling, and infection. Generally, patients with dark hairs and fair skin respond best to laser hair removal.

While laser hair removal is an excellent treatment option, research efforts continue to enhance the procedure. The diode laser has a longer wavelength than other lasers used for hair removal, which may improve treatment results on darker skin types. The most common side effects are edema and erythema, which generally resolve within 24 hours after treatment.

Though it is relatively painless, you may experience a bit of discomfort from the procedure. While it is a minimally invasive procedure, the procedure is not totally free from risks. Fortunately, the complications are rare if an experienced and skilled physician does it. When done properly, the procedure can be performed quickly and comfortably during an outpatient visit.

Get ready to experience the hassle-free world of hair removal with laser technology. However, when selecting the facility to perform you hair removal, ask them about their experience and any other concerns you may have. In addition, laser hair removal is not necessarily permanent; most people will experience some regrowth within a year.
About the Author
For more information about laser hair removal, visit http://www.laserhairremovalinfoguide.com and http://www.hairremovalinfoguide.com
Published At: www.Isnare.com

Laser Hair Removal - Treatment For Permanent Hair Removal

2008-06-02T01:13:00.000-07:00

Laser Hair Removal
The desire for permanent hair removal in both men and women has created a worldwide craze - Laser Hair Removal. People are queuing up at clinics around the world hoping for the miracle cure to rid themselves permanently of hair in undesirable places. But for permanent hair reduction, the bare reality is that it is very rare that just one session of laser treatment will give the desired result. And here’s why:

Is Laser Hair Removal Permanent ?

Some say YES, some say NO. Studies show that the best-known method of achieving permanent hair removal is Laser Hair Removal, and if the procedure is performed correctly (using the right equipment), permanency is definitely possible. That's because laser hair removal actually kills the hair follicle, which impairs it's ability to grow. But you need to get the hair at the right stage in the growth cycle to ensure permanent hair removal, which means that you will need to undergo a number of treatments.

You see, hair grows in 3 stages, and Laser treatment in the first growth stage (Anagen stage) is the best for permanent reduction. Laser treatment in the other 2 stages (Categen and Telogen) can be less effective, because in these stages new hairs are being formed which may not be target-able by the Laser. So for permanency you will need to undergo a number of laser treatments over time to kill all the hair follicles in that region.

Which Growth Stage is Best for Permanent Hair Removal ?

Everyone's hair grows differently, depending on their age, weight, metabolism, hormonal interactions, genetics, medications and environmental influences. Irrespective of this, hair grows in a cycle which has 3 distinct stages, and the ability of the Laser to target and destroy the hair follicle actually depends on the stage of the hair in the growth cycle. That is because the Lasers used in hair removal actually target the pigment in the hair to “zero in” on the hair follicle. In the initial growth stage of hair, there is more pigment in the hair, thus the Laser is more effective.

Following is an overview of the 3 different hair growth cycle stages, and how effective laser treatment is in each of these stages:

The ACTIVE or ANAGEN growth phase (lasts 2-6 years), comprises approximately 85 % of our body hair at any given moment in time. During this ANAGEN phase, the hair shaft and follicle has an abundance of pigment and is most sensitive to the laser light. So in this stage, permanent hair removal is very likely. The Laser will destroy the hair follicle and no new hair will grow.

The REGRESSIVE or CATAGEN phase (lasts 1-2 weeks) is the period during which the hair stops actively growing but is not shed. This phase often lasts several weeks comprising about 3 - 4% of our total body hair at any given time. In the early part of this stage, you can expect the same results as in the ANAGEN stage. But later in this stage, a new hair might already be forming, and because it will have no pigment yet, it won’t be destroyed.

The RESTING or TELOGEN phase lasts 5 - 6 weeks, at the end of which the hair falls out and a new hair begins to form. Approximately 10-13% of our body hair is in this phase at any one time. Again, the new hair will not have any pigment and the laser will not be able to target it. This new hair will shortly enter the ANAGEN stage, and if it is exposed to a Laser treatment when it has entered the ANAGEN stage, then permanency can be expected.

In summary, each hair on your body will naturally be at a different part of the growth cycle, and that is why it will be necessary in most cases to undergo a number of Laser hair Removal treatments at varying intervals to completely destroy all hair follicles in the region you are targeting. You might be lucky and destroy more than 85% of the hair follicles in the target region with just one treatment, but the statistics point towards needing at least 2 treatments (possibly 3 or more) to totally destroy all hair follicles in any part of the body.

About the Author
Written by Jim McDonald, a contributing writer for http://www.permanent-hair-removal-laser.com, an informative website about Permanent Laser Hair Removal
Published At: www.Isnare.com