Laser Hair Removal - Is it Permanent?

Thursday, December 27, 2007

Does Hair Laser Offer Permanent Removal?
Submitted By: Dion Semeniuk

Chances are you have heard about hair laser being a permanent removal but is it true! The interesting thing is that laser treatments are sometimes very misunderstood. Typically, people thing this type of procedure does provide permanent results. In other words, a woman could see a board certified doctor who provides hair laser treatment thinking that after one session, the hair on her leg will never grow back.

With this, there are two misconceptions. The first is that hair laser for permanent removal is a myth. Second, in the majority of cases one treatment is not adequate. With laser hair removal, what you get is permanent hair “reduction”. The problem is that data as to the duration for this reduction and the amount of hair reduction achieved is not recorded. Another challenge is that information on how often someone experiences permanent hair reduction occurs is also unknown.

For hair removal to work, a laser light set at a specific wavelength is delivered into the skin. Targeting the pigmentation in hair, it causes thermal damage to the hair follicle but without damaging any of the surrounding tissue. When performed by a professional, people do see amazing results but even with this, they are not permanent. Instead, people experience long-lasting hair removal or a permanent reduction of hair growth, not actually permanent hair removal.

Depending on the type of laser used, the kind of hair targeted, and the area of the body being worked on, regrowth will return but in most cases, it grows in lighter and the texture is not nearly as course. This means that hair does grow back but it takes longer and then is not as obvious as it originally was, making laser hair removal such a popular choice. Then, since hair removal can be performed on men and women and on various parts of the body, it becomes an even more attractive opportunity.

When considering hair laser for permanent removal, keep in mind that people with blonde, red, and gray hair usually have poorer results over those with dark hair. In addition, individuals with dark skin need to see a professional who specializes in hair laser removal for dark skin in that the process is much more challenging. Unfortunately, the word “permanent” when associated with laser hair removal has been misused and sometimes, misrepresented.

Therefore, if you see an advertisement for a clinic or spa that offers services for hair removal and permanent removal, move on. Unfortunately, some unsuspecting consumers will become drawn into words such as “100% permanent” or even “permanent”, spending good money to have a number of treatments performed, and then only to discover the hair grows back. The bottom line is these people have been duped with one simple word – permanent.

Any promise of no hair regrowth is nothing more than a lie. In fact, the Food and Drug administration (FDA) has cracked down on certain terms. Because of this, they have established regulations by which clinics and spas must use the word “reduction” in the advertisement. Yes, as mentioned people do experience permanent reduction. In other words, if a woman had thick hair on her legs and had to shave every day, using laser removal might means the hair growing in lighter as far as color but also texture. Therefore, she might be able to shave every third day. This alone is a huge advantage and worth the investment but be careful when choosing who will perform your hair laser removal procedures.

About the Author:

Dion Semeniuk has taken the time and research to learn what is all involved in laser hair removal. To learn more, visit http://www.laser-hair-removal-time.com/hair-laser-permanent-removal.php

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Friday, December 21, 2007

Is Laser Hair Removal Really Permanent?
Submitted By: Bill Wilson

Laser hair removal is the latest trend for people wishing to rid themselves of unwanted body or facial hair. Using a laser to remove unwanted hair is touted as a procedure based on state-of-the-art technology, which is a fact. You've also heard the claims that the laser hair removal procedure is the ultimate in permanent hair removal. You've seen the advertisements claiming that laser treatments are fast, painless, and safe.

It all sounds very enticing, but is it all too good to be true?

To answer this question, let's take a hard look at this high-tech hair removal procedure and see if these claims prove reliable.

How does laser hair removal work?

The laser hair removal procedure focuses on the delivery of light into the skin, measured at a specified wavelength, from a hand-held instrument. The light concentrates on darker material in the skin. This targeted material is the pigment found in hair. The intense light damages the hair follicle, which slows or eliminates future hair growth. This process occurs without affecting the surrounding skin tissue.

A great advantage of laser hair removal treatments is the speed in which the procedure can be administered. Small areas, like the upper lip, can be treated in a matter of seconds. Larger areas, such as the back or legs, can be treated in as little as an hour. By contrast, electrolysis can take up to 125 hours of treatment for the back area alone.

Are laser treatments for everyone?

Individuals who response best to the laser hair removal treatments tend to possess lighter skin tones and a darker hair color. The greater the contrast, the easier it is for the laser light to focus on the darker material, or the pigment in the hair.

The latest technological advancements in laser hair removal have made the procedure more effective for those with darker skin. The concern for the risk of tissue damage, from the laser targeting the darker skin rather than the hair follicle, has been significantly reduced.

In most cases, people with darker skin can take advantage of the laser procedures. However, these individuals should not expect results as dramatic as those experienced by candidates with the most favorable characteristics, fair skin and dark hair.

Is the procedure really safe?

In almost all cases, laser hair removal devices used in these procedures have been evaluated and deemed safe by the FDA for hair removal purposes. Of course, an important caveat also applies here - the procedure must be performed by a licensed medical specialist or doctor. When looking for a hair removal clinic, it is recommended that you use a licensed medical doctor to perform these treatments.

Are laser hair removal treatments truly pain-free?

The laser treatment involves a light delivered through a hand held instrument that is attached to a laser console. As the high intensity light is being administered, some patients report a stinging sensation. Thanks to new technology, this stinging effect can be reduced. Many new lasers now incorporate a cooling system that automatically reduces, or removes, heat from the skin's surface during the laser exposure.

Most people describe the sensation as a slight tingling of the skin, and tolerate the laser procedure very well. That's not to say that some areas of the body aren't more sensitive than others. In these cases, a topical anesthesia can be administered prior to the procedure. General anesthesia or pain medication is usually not required.

Are results from the laser hair removal procedure really permanent?

At the present time, the medical consensus regarding laser hair removal is that the procedure results in a range of outcomes, dependent on the individual's physical characteristics (i.e. skin tone, hair color, etc.). Generally, after a series of laser hair removal treatments, one can expect a very dramatic reduction in hair growth. If and when hair does re-grow, it will come back lighter in color or finer in texture.

Overall, laser is still the most effective technique for permanent hair removal that exists today.

About the Author:

Bill Wilson is a writer skin care articles for a number of online publications. For more information about laser hair removal visit Laser Hair Removal

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Monday, December 17, 2007

Laser Hair Removal - Treatment For Permanent Hair Removal
Submitted By: Jim McDonald

The desire for permanent hair removal in both men and women has created a worldwide craze - Laser Hair Removal. People are queuing up at clinics around the world hoping for the miracle cure to rid themselves permanently of hair in undesirable places. But for permanent hair reduction, the bare reality is that it is very rare that just one session of laser treatment will give the desired result. And here’s why:

Is Laser Hair Removal Permanent ?

Some say YES, some say NO. Studies show that the best-known method of achieving permanent hair removal is Laser Hair Removal, and if the procedure is performed correctly (using the right equipment), permanency is definitely possible. That's because laser hair removal actually kills the hair follicle, which impairs it's ability to grow. But you need to get the hair at the right stage in the growth cycle to ensure permanent hair removal, which means that you will need to undergo a number of treatments.

You see, hair grows in 3 stages, and Laser treatment in the first growth stage (Anagen stage) is the best for permanent reduction. Laser treatment in the other 2 stages (Categen and Telogen) can be less effective, because in these stages new hairs are being formed which may not be target-able by the Laser. So for permanency you will need to undergo a number of laser treatments over time to kill all the hair follicles in that region.

Which Growth Stage is Best for Permanent Hair Removal ?

Everyone's hair grows differently, depending on their age, weight, metabolism, hormonal interactions, genetics, medications and environmental influences. Irrespective of this, hair grows in a cycle which has 3 distinct stages, and the ability of the Laser to target and destroy the hair follicle actually depends on the stage of the hair in the growth cycle. That is because the Lasers used in hair removal actually target the pigment in the hair to “zero in” on the hair follicle. In the initial growth stage of hair, there is more pigment in the hair, thus the Laser is more effective.

Following is an overview of the 3 different hair growth cycle stages, and how effective laser treatment is in each of these stages:

The ACTIVE or ANAGEN growth phase (lasts 2-6 years), comprises approximately 85 % of our body hair at any given moment in time. During this ANAGEN phase, the hair shaft and follicle has an abundance of pigment and is most sensitive to the laser light. So in this stage, permanent hair removal is very likely. The Laser will destroy the hair follicle and no new hair will grow.

The REGRESSIVE or CATAGEN phase (lasts 1-2 weeks) is the period during which the hair stops actively growing but is not shed. This phase often lasts several weeks comprising about 3 - 4% of our total body hair at any given time. In the early part of this stage, you can expect the same results as in the ANAGEN stage. But later in this stage, a new hair might already be forming, and because it will have no pigment yet, it won’t be destroyed.

The RESTING or TELOGEN phase lasts 5 - 6 weeks, at the end of which the hair falls out and a new hair begins to form. Approximately 10-13% of our body hair is in this phase at any one time. Again, the new hair will not have any pigment and the laser will not be able to target it. This new hair will shortly enter the ANAGEN stage, and if it is exposed to a Laser treatment when it has entered the ANAGEN stage, then permanency can be expected.

In summary, each hair on your body will naturally be at a different part of the growth cycle, and that is why it will be necessary in most cases to undergo a number of Laser hair Removal treatments at varying intervals to completely destroy all hair follicles in the region you are targeting. You might be lucky and destroy more than 85% of the hair follicles in the target region with just one treatment, but the statistics point towards needing at least 2 treatments (possibly 3 or more) to totally destroy all hair follicles in any part of the body.

About the Author:

Written by Jim McDonald, a contributing writer for http://www.permanent-hair-removal-laser.com, an informative website about Permanent Laser Hair Removal

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Thursday, December 13, 2007

Potential Risks of Laser Hair Removal
by David Ford

The laser process may be ineffectual on certain hair and skin colors. If you have darker color skin, the pigment in the skin absorbs the laser light. This way the laser doesn't reach the hair follicle thereby confining the effect of the treatment, and it might be possibly detrimental to the skin. Conversely, because laser hair removal requires pigment to be present in hair follicles to work, unpigmented hair cannot be so easily removed with laser treatments compared to dark hair.
Some of the side effects from laser hair removal are:

* Skin Darkens: Sometimes dark spots seem, on and around the treated areas on a patient's skin. These spots are called hyperpigmentation. Under normal conditions it is a temporary side-effect, but in rare causes it can endure and becomes permanent. This side-effect, if not gone by itself, usually takes considerable time to get cured. To minimize the opportunities of this occurrence after laser treatment direct sunlight should be avoided for at least a week.

* Skin Lightens: This is the reason of major care in the people who have darker skin. Laser hair removal treatment is best suitable to fair skinned people, but people with darker skin can also be treated of excessive hair by laser hair removal surgical procedure. But it may cause permanent lightening of the skin in the treated area if it is not correctly applied.

The laser treatment works by affecting the pigmentation in darker colored hair. It can sometimes lighten darker colored skin as well. How skin lightening takes place is not known yet, but it seems the laser destructs the skin's color producing cells.

The skin lightening may be a permanent effect, though it can recover its color very slowly in some cases. Patients having gray or white hair are more likely to have their skin discolored due to the laser hair removal treatment.

* Blisters Might Seem: Blisters can sometimes seem on the skin after the treatment. It is painful and abashing, but it is a temporary side effect. This occurs mostly because of using higher influence laser, especially in the case of dark skin. It can also result from unconventional care of the irritated skin. The pain caused by blisters can be allayed by tissue cooling through a contact chill tip or cryogen spray during treatment and by ice packs after treatment. Your laser clinic should advise.

* Scarring might take place: Inappropriately applied laser hair treatments can cause severe burnings which can result in scarring. If the strength of the laser light applied exceeds what the skin can bear then burning occurs deep inside the skin. However no risk of burning exists if the device is correctly adjusted to the skin color of the patient experiencing laser treatment.

* Changes to hair features: Hair of finer and lighter in color may grow after the treatment. Some people might also see new growing hair in areas next to the treated areas. Extra laser treatments will be required to remove them.

* Alteration of skin texture: The long exposure to laser energy beams might cause skin texture to change its features and it can also damage the skin.

There might be some short term side effects such as, redness, skin irritation or swelling. These usually last for some days and the pain can be taken care of through using anesthetic skin creams. The laser clinic should advise you about this.

While laser hair removal treatment is rather a safe procedure, it is still not entirely risk free. However, if you make sure that the process is done by a certified and experienced doctor or technician, you can significantly lessen the opportunities of side-effects. Don't forget to take necessity precautions before and after the laser hair removal surgery treatment, to further bring down the chances of side-effects.

About the Author
David Ford is deeply involved with a research on examination of Laser Hair Removal Treatment. He is associated with various laser hair removal clinics. He writes informative articles on Risks of Laser Hair Removal.

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Friday, December 07, 2007

Review Your Hair Removal Options and Think Laser
by Patricia Mitchell

The popularity of permanent hair removal is obvious and has two clear options: laser and electrolysis. Laser hair removal techniques came about during the 1990's and, since then, they have seen a sharp rise in popularity. The basic idea behind laser hair removal is similar to electrolysis because it attacks hair at the root--utilizing light to destroy the melanin in hair follicles. Electrolysis uses electricity and needles to accomplish the same effect more slowly and over a smaller area of the skin. Several treatments are often required in laser hair removal to achieve the desired results which are typically long lasting and most effective in dark-haired recipients.

Laser hair removal, while costly, provides an excellent answer to your summer hair removal needs. Laser is perfect for use on multiple areas of the body: the arms, legs, chest, back, neck, and bikini line. After four to six sessions with a professional trained in the use of laser hair removal equipment you will be left with smooth, hairless skin.

In terms of pain, laser hair removable is a preferable and long, lasting alternative to painful waxing and slow, expensive electrolysis. A variety of creams and sprays are available from providers of laser hair removal to help with any discomfort one might encounter while undergoing the procedure.

When you review pricing and providers it is important to remember the maxim: you get what you pay for. Cutting corners on price may lead to unsatisfying results and, in some cases, costly doctor's bills to repair damaged skin. Paying a higher price for quality service could save you headaches and money in the long run.

To get the best results, be sure to do your homework. Check local business reviews, testimonials from individuals who have undergone laser hair removal, and compare prices. The cost of laser hair removal ranges from roughly two hundred dollars to several thousandâ€"depending on the number of sessions offered at the practice, the geographical location and the preferences of the clinic or doctor's office. Often times, payment arrangements can be made which will make laser hair removal pricing reasonable on any budget. A thorough review of your laser hair removal options prior the session will lead to lasting results you will love.

About the Author
Learn more about hair removal by visiting MyHairRemovalPro.com. We cover everything from pubic hair removal to sona laser hair removal.

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Monday, December 03, 2007

Know More About How Laser Hair Removal Treatment Works
by Sorawut Buddeewong

During the past ten years, hair removal treatment by using laser is not much popular as today. This is because it is so expensive and it people have to pay a lot of money for the treatment. The quality of laser was not well developed so it can be seen inconsistent of the treatment results. But today, the laser machine have been developed as well as the cost of manufacturing is very much lower than before, that makes the cost of hair removal treatment to day cost only about 300-500 dollars per treatment, which is really affordable.

Therefore, it has become one of the most popular cosmetic treatments for people who get unwanted hair problems. So I presume that for you, as one of the people who is interested in this topic, may would you like to find out what those-in-the-know have to say about laser hair removal? The information in the article below comes straight from well-informed experts with special knowledge about laser hair removal.

Therefore, it is quite important to learn more about how it works, in order to make better decision before you go for the laser treatment. The laser treatments get rid of unwanted hair by using high wave length light to penetrate beneath the skin layer to a hair follicle. Also, one person could have several laser treatments until they get the complete and effective permanent result.

This is also depends on the characteristic of the skin area that being treated and there also depends on the thickness of the skin level which have to be used with different kind of laser. If your laser hair removal facts are out-of-date, how will that affect your actions and decisions? Make certain you don't let important laser hair removal information slip by you and after you have realized that there are also some other ways of treatment apart from laser treatment, it would save you a lot of money.

About the Author
Sorawut Buddeewong http://www.hairremoval2008.com - hair removal tips

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