A Plain-English Guide to Laser Hair Removal

Laser hair removal has become an increasingly popularmethod of depilation in recent years, for many good reasons. Butlike most other beauty treatments, it should be undertaken withcaution and with a little bit of research under your belt, sohere are the most important factors to bear in mind whenconsidering whether laser hair removal is right for you. First of all, what is laser hair removal? Unless you wantto understand the physics of light, there's a very simpledefinition. In the hands of an experienced beauty therapist, ahandheld device emits a particular wavelength of light, whichdestroys the hair without harming the skin that surrounds it.It's a simple technique that's easy to administer, and moreimportantly, unlike waxing or sugaring, it's relatively painfree. There are, however, some disadvantages associated with thismethod of hair removal, and it's unfortunately not suitable foreveryone. Because the laser destroys dark material, the hair tobe removed must be darker than the skin surrounding it, so thosewith very fair hair might not be eligible for laser hairremoval. Recently tanned skin is also unsuited to this method of hairremoval, so be careful to avoid the sun before you schedule yourappointment. Any type of skin damage may be exacerbated by theuse of lasers, so take good care of your skin before you takethat trip to the beauty salon, and postpone your appointmentshould you develop any skin injuries, such as a rash, or a cut. Laser hair removal is sometimes advertised as a permanentsystem of hair removal, and while this method of depilationoften does yield long-lasting results, there is not yet enoughevidence to support a blanket claim of permanent hair loss.Laser hair removal is most effective on those with palerskins and dark hair, and many people matching this descriptionhave found that regrowth is minimal, with new hairs finer andlighter than prior to treatment. Laser hair removal is more expensive than other methodsof depilation, and as the area of unwanted hair can require anumber of treatments before optimal results are seen, the costcan quickly add up. But for those who regular spend a smallfortune on shavers, waxing strips and other hair removal tools,the effectiveness of laser surgery can make it a real moneysaver in the long run. It is important to remember that a laser can be dangerous in thewrong hands, so be careful to find a professional and reputablesalon to perform your laser hair removal. Find a beautytherapist with whom you feel comfortable, and ask any and allquestions you need to put your mind at ease. Don't be afraid toask about your therapist's qualifications and experience - alllaser hair removal practitioners should be licensed physiciansor registered nurses. Laser hair removal is an effective technique than canbring wonderful results. Relatively painless - expect a slighttingling sensation when the laser is in use - and long-lasting,laser hair removal is, however, a technique that requiresskilled hands. Treat your skin with the respect it deserves andfind a well-qualified and experienced practitioner to performthe procedure, and say goodbye to that unwanted hair.