Laser Hair Removal Cost & Benefit

How Does Laser Hair Removal Work

2009-09-26T15:07:00.003-04:00

The concept behind laser hair removal is actually fairly simple. An intense beam of light is flashed over the skin and absorbed by the melanin in hairs that are darker than the skin. The absorbed laser then kills the hair at the follicle. Shortly after treatment the hair will be shed, leaving the skin smooth.

Hair actually grows in phases, making multiple treatments necessary. At the time of treatment a number of hairs will be in a dormant phase and will be unaffected by the laser treatment. After several weeks some of the dormant hairs will begin to grow again and can be treated as well.

There are actually four different types of lasers used for hair removal, Alexandrite (Candela GentleLase Plus), Ruby (EpiTouch or Epilaser), Diode (Coherent Light Sheer), and ND Yag (Candela GentleYag or Altus Cool Glide). The Alexandrite laser has a longer pause between pulses in order to make the client more comfortable. The Ruby laser has a similar lag time and was the first laser used for hair removal. The Diode laser is known for short treatment times and few side effects. The ND Yag laser is the newest form of laser hair removal and can be used on darker skin, since the laser targets a carbon lotion that is absorbed by the hairs prior to treatment. However, it is reported to be more uncomfortable than other lasers.

The different types of lasers are actually quite similar, and you will probably not experience much of a difference in different treatments. In addition, the cost of laser hair removal should not change particularly from one method to the other. You may want to ask your provider which kind of laser they us and why they chose it. Many of the articles from research on these lasers are available online if you would like more information.

Laser Hair Removal Side Effects

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Laser hair removal is a relatively safe procedure, but there is some risk of side effects. You can lower the risk of these side effects by choosing a qualified provider and following their care instructions.

You may experience some discomfort during the treatment itself. Most people don't report this sensation as pain, but more like a rubber band snapping against the skin. Everyone's sensitivity is different however, and if you do feel significant discomfort, most locations will offer you a numbing cream which you can apply to the area before the procedure. You may also see some redness or swelling shortly after the procedure. This should fade quickly. Most laser hair removal centers will recommend you avoid exposing the area to excess sunlight for a few days, as you may be more sensitive to sunburn.

Hyperpigmentation can occur in some cases. This is a temporary darkening of the skin in the treated area and will usually fade with time.

In rare cases laser hair removal can cause a permanent lightening of the treated skin. This side effect usually only occurs in those who have darker skin. It is important to avoid any tanning before your procedure in order to avoid this effect.

The side effect that occurs almost exclusively because of unqualified technicians is burns. This is usually a result of over treating an area. Thus it is very important that you do your research and find a qualified and experienced technician to provide your treatment. Beware of centers that seem to have an unreasonably low laser hair removal cost, seem poorly organized, or are hesitant to share their typical results. A center with a good reputation and a large amount of experience is worth finding in order to protect yourself against the possible laser hair removal side effects and to help you achieve your desired results.

Are the Results Worth the Cost of Laser Hair Removal

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The frustrating answer to this question is, it's hard to tell. Different people will see different results. In addition, everyone will have their own opinions about what counts as a satisfactory result. Still it is possible to get an idea of what your personal results will be.

The best candidate for laser hair removal will have light skin and dark hair. The lasers target melanin, so if you have darker skin the laser may cause burns and if you have gray or blond hair it won't work at all. In order to get the best results, you should avoid any sunbathing for several months before and throughout your treatment.

While many people think of it as permanent, laser hair removal is actually considered permanent hair reduction by the FDA, not removal. After treatment you will not be completely hair free, although there will be a significant reduction in the number of hairs. In addition, the remaining hairs may grow in lighter and less noticeable. Over time there may be some regrowth as well. In order to counter this, many treatment centers will offer free touch ups for a year or two after your treatment cycle is completed.

You have to judge yourself what kind of results you're looking for and how much you're willing to pay for it. The center you choose will work with you to help you find the program that works best for you. Figuring out how much you currently spend on hair removal may help you make your choice. For example, getting your legs waxed may cost around $50 a time and need to be repeated twice a month. At this rate you'll be paying $1200 a year. It may be more cost effective and a better use of your time to go with the laser hair removal and eliminate the need for these treatments.

Looking at several before and after pictures can help give you an idea of what to expect and help you decide if it is what you're looking for. It's also a good idea to look at photos taken several months or even years after the final treatment to judge the level of regrowth. The cost of laser hair removal may seem daunting at first, but considering how much you may be spending per year as it is, it may be a wise investment.

Home Laser Hair Removal Cost

2009-09-26T11:17:00.004-04:00

You may have heard that there are devices that can be used for home laser hair removal, saving you the trouble of making monthly trips to a clinic. There are two of these devices that have been cleared by the FDA for permanent hair reduction (the FDA uses the same term to describe clinical laser hair removal machines), one which uses laser technology and one which uses IPL (Intense Pulsed Light).

The machine that uses actual laser technology is called the Tria. The original device was approximate $1000, but as of the writing of this article it has been re-released to work more effectively and the price has been dropped to $795. I have yet to see a particularly negative review of this home laser hair removal device, and it has been shown to be effective. On the downside however, the laser head is relatively small, making a single treatment take a fairly long time. Also, the device must be charged and cannot be used while plugged it. This gives the Tria the benefits of being cordless, but also means you will only get through about half an hour of treatment before needing to charge it again. The most recent release does fire more quickly than the original, decreasing necessary treatment time. Many have found good results with the Tria, and you may find the benefits of laser treatment at home is worth the extra time.

The IPL device is called the Silk'n, and it works on a similar principle. The head of the machine is larger than that of the Tria, shortening treatment times, but it also uses cartridges that have to be replaced. The device itself is approximately $499 and the cartridges run $49 a piece. Each cartridge is supposed to last for 750 shots, enough to treat your entire body once or a smaller area several times. In the reviews, Silk'n was found to be about equally effective as Tria, but there is some debate about which has better long-term effects.

There are many reviews of both these products online if you would like more information or even just more perspectives. The sites selling these products also have before and after photos and testimonials to help you decide if the results fit with what you are looking for. The lower cost of laser hair removal at home is definitely worth looking into, since you will not have to pay per treatment.

Laser Hair Removal Cost

2009-09-26T10:39:00.003-04:00

There are several factors that can influence the cost of laser hair removal. The area you wish to have done, the region of the country you live in, and the number of treatments you need to get the results you want will all have an affect.

Prices will vary by center, but in general you will pay the most for laser hair treatment if you live in either the Northeast or the Southeast. The lowest prices appear in the Midwest while the west coast falls in the middle range.

In general laser treatment centers will charge per treatment, although many have packages available. The number of times you need to go in will vary by person, but you can expect to need three treatments at the very least. The average is between 5 and 8.

Since there can be such discrepancy between prices at different centers, it is a good idea to do some research before committing to any one location. Many centers will list their prices and sometimes even available packages online, so it is easier to comparison shop from home. However, after your initial research, it's important to call the centers to find if there are any additional packages or discounts available. Many places will offer a seasonal discount in order to attract more clients.

While it is impossible to say exactly what laser hair removal will cost you without having a specific location in mind, there are typical ranges that will give you an idea of how much you should be paying. The range for lower or upper legs is $600-$850, for bikini line $350-$500, for underarms $250-$350, for back hair $600-$900, for arms $300-500, for chest $350-$600, and for face and neck $600-$900.

We all want a good discount, but you should be just as cautious of centers that are charging too little as you are of those charging too much. Usually these locations will sound more like they're making a sales pitch than talking about a procedure, and may have unqualified or under qualified people working for them. There is some risk of complication with laser hair removal, and this risk goes up sharply if the technician is not experienced. Be sure to ask for typical results and if possible, former customers of the center to tell you about their experience.