Laser Hair Removal Pros and Cons
Laser hair removal is touted as the safest way to permanently remove unwanted hair. But just like the methods before it, laser treatment has its own strengths and weaknesses. It's important to understand it from both sides to make sure you are choosing the right treatment. To help you make the right choice, here's a quick rundown of the pros and cons of laser hair removal.
Pro: It's fast.
A typical laser hair treatment lasts anywhere from a few minutes to just under one hour. This usually depends on the amount of hair and the size of the area being treated. In contrast, electrolysis, the closest alternative, can last several hours and take longer to heal.
Con: It won't work on everyone.
Laser hair removal works by drawing laser light to the dark melanin-filled follicles under your skin. As an absolute requirement, the hair should be darker than the skin around it. Otherwise, the light may be absorbed by the skin instead, which can lead to burns, irritation, and other side effects. Laser treatment works best on people with fair skin and dark, coarse hair.
Pro: It offers long-term results.
Laser treatment can slow or stop hair growth for several months, provided the procedure is properly performed. Except for electrolysis, most other methods are short-lived and have to be repeated every few days or weeks. Any subsequent growth will be finer and thinner.
Con: It's not 100% permanent.
There is really no method that assures complete removal of hair. There are millions of hair follicles under your skin, and there's always a chance that a few will get left behind. However, the subsequent growth is usually limited and easily controlled by simple treatments.
Pro: It's FDA-approved.
Laser hair removal is one of the few depilation procedures to get approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). This means it's guaranteed to be safe and effective. As long as it's done by a licensed professional, there are usually no side effects and any discomfort will be minimal.
Con: It's expensive.
Laser treatment can cost anywhere from $500 to $3,000 per session, depending on the area being treated. But since it takes several sessions to get full results, you can expect to pay several thousand dollars for the entire treatment. Be wary of clinics that offer cheap laser treatments-they may not be licensed and may do a less professional job.
Pro: It's less painful.
Waxing and electrolysis are known to be painful and time-consuming. In laser treatment, there is very little physical contact between the skin and the machine, so the pain is minimized. Most people feel a slight burning as the laser burns off the follicles, but it usually goes away after a few minutes.
Con: There is a risk of side effects.
The most common side effect of laser is a slight discoloration of the skin after treatment. This is most visible in fair-skinned people and usually fades in a few days. Rarer side effects include burns, deep discolorations, and skin abrasion.
Barbara Rader is co-owner and CEO of Evanesque, spa in Uptown offering many services including laser hair removal in Dallas and specialized skin care therapies.
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