Laser hair removal: Best treatment for unwanted hairs?

If you're ready to get rid of those pesky stray hairs for good but are also nervous about the laser hair removal treatment process then you've come to the right place.  We're here to give you the bald facts about laser hair removal. 

For many people, laser hair removal is a viable alternative to ongoing maintenance of embarrassing hair growth, but common misconceptions have discouraged some otherwise likely candidates from undergoing the treatment process.  On this site, we'll debunk these common myths and give you the facts you need to make an informed decision about whether laser hair removal is right for you.  Let's start with the laser hair removal treatment process.

The word "laser" can be intimidating to some people, but the important thing to remember is that lasers are actually some of the safest medical tools in existence today because of their high level of consistency and precision. 

Laser hair removal has been a common practice for over a decade, and the laser technology is still improving every year.  These tools target the naturally-occurring melanin in the area where the unwanted hair is growing.  They then use a refined beam of energy to heat and destroy the follicles from which the hair is growing.

Laser hair removal treatment processes can vary from one provider to the next, and the efficacy of the treatment you undergo will depend largely on the process being used as well as on the skill of its practitioner. 

In layman's terms, what we're saying is that not all laser hair removal treatments are created equal, and not all doctors are either.  While laser hair removal has become a fairly routine cosmetic procedure, the success of any individual treatment relies heavily on the method used and the professional performing it.

The wavelength of the laser being used also makes a big difference as does the width of the actual laser beam (also referred to as "spot size").  The former determines the strength and accuracy of the laser while the latter determines how large of an area it can treat. 

Obviously a small section of thin hair will require both a lower wavelength and a smaller spot size, while a large patch of coarse hair takes a more powerful laser.

Regardless of the laser used, most patients undergoing a laser hair removal treatment process can expect a similar experience.  First and foremost, laser hair removal is an outpatient service, which means you can leave the office and drive yourself home immediately following treatment. 

When you arrive for your sessions, the area to be treated will be prepped and covered in a gel that aids in the lasering process.  You'll be situated in a chair or on a special table (depending on what area of your body is to be treated) and your assigned clinician will pass a laser over the designated area. 

While you may feel an uncomfortable tingling sensation or even some warmth, very few laser hair removal patients experience any pain during treatment.

The entire treatment process usually takes less than an hour and with the exception of some occasional reddening of the skin impairs the patient in no way. 

The entire laser hair removal treatment process is so quick and easy that most people could schedule and complete a session on their lunch break.