How To Get Rid Of Unwanted Hair Permanently
If you want to get rid of unwanted hair, there are all kinds of
techniques to help you to do so -- from waxes to razor blades
and from lasers to electrolysis. But if you want to get rid of
it for good, the preferred method nowadays is laser treatment.
Why is laser treatment preferred?
It's preferred because this method has very low risks and can't
damage your skin unless performed by an unskilled quack.
Electrolysis also works, but requires too much time because each
and every individual hair is removed, one at a time. And that
often costs a lot more than laser treatment.
How does laser hair removal work?
Laser hair removal works through a selective process called
Photothermolysis. It sends a beam of laser light right down to
the hair follicles and the light's focussed power is used to
destroy the roots. It is a selective treatment because it will
only disable the hair roots, and not affect the surrounding
skin. It uses light and heat to get rid of hair, which is
actually the meaning of the name 'photothermolysis'.
What kind of person is the best candidate for laser hair removal?
Because this method works by seeking out melanin, which is the
pigment that gives color to our hair and skin, laser hair
removal treatment is best suited for people who have dark hair
and light skin. Unfortunately, laser treatment cannot be used
very successfully on tanned skin because there it can cause
marks similar to sunburns. It is usually advised that you wait
until the tan is gone before you use laser hair removal
treatment. Also, persons that have grey hair or are naturally
blonde cannot use this technique as yet, because the melanin in
their follicles is not so easy to target.
Does it hurt?
Laser hair removal will not hurt, but can sometimes create
feelings of discomfort, and in some cases the after-effects are
similar to sunburn. To prevent this, laser hair removal clinics
will use ice-packs, cooling gels or sprays to help relieve the
discomfort and you are usually advised to use sun block cream
for a week or two after the treatment. Also, you can ask for a
'test' before beginning the treatment, and clinics often provide
spot tests so the customers can see what the treatment will be
like. Try one of these to be sure that your skin will not have
some kind of allergic reaction to it.
How much will it cost?
The price for laser treatment varies according to the size of
the area that you want treated, and the number of sessions.
Laser hair removal centers often recommend 4 or 5 sessions, but
the number will vary according to your skin type, hair color and
the target area of the body. The fee may seem large initially,
but you'll probably come to realize that it's a sum worth
paying, because you'll be saving yourself a lifetime of
investment in time, money and care.