Alternative Methods to Laser Hair Removal
by Shane Ennerson

The U.S. economy may be sputtering, Wall Street may be falling down and the price of gas may be high, but the current rough sledding in the overall financial health of the country appears to be having only a minor effect on the rate at which consumers are seeking cosmetic procedures from dermatologists and other cosmetic medicine physicians. In its most recent ASDS (American Society for Dermatologic Surgeons) member survey, 63% of respondents reported a consistent volume of procedure appointments among their existing patients in the first half of 2008.

American Laser Centers, the largest provider of laser hair removal and other noninvasive aesthetic services in the U.S., today announces the results of a May 2008. Zoomerang hair removal survey found that on average, women spend more than $10,000 on hair removal products and services over the course of their lifetime. Survey respondents reported they will spend more than 58.4 days removing hair from their bodies during their lifetime. The survey also revealed that women remove unwanted body hair for an average period of 53.6 years using methods including shaving, waxing and depilatory creams.

So how do the different methods add up? While women report a small monthly spend on shaving, $15.87 per month, the lifetime investment for females who shave adds up to $10,207. Laser hair removal for men is now more ubiquitous than ever, as well - especially for things like laser back hair removal. Depilatory cream- or lotion-users are paying slightly more than those who shave for their hair removal, $10,555 through their lifetime, yet they only remove hair one to two times per month. Waxing is by far the most expensive form of hair removal. While respondents reported waxing only one to two times per month, women who wax will spend an average of $23,000 on hair removal in a lifetime.

American Laser Centers conducted the hair removal study to determine the cost savings benefit of laser hair removal verses a lifetime of shaving or waxing. On average, women can save $7,000 by receiving laser hair removal on the areas of the body they typically shave. When compared to a lifetime of waxing, women can save $20,000 by receiving lazer hair removal on the areas of the body they usually wax.

There's been a lot of talk about laser hair removal lately. Although laser hair removal usually lasts longer than what you might see from shaving and depilatory creams, it's not a permanent solution. Lazer hair removal is said to be "long-lasting", but even that isn't guaranteed. Laser hair removal works when hairs are in their growth stage. Since hairs grow differently, several visits are required to catch all the hairs in this optimum stage. Each one of these visits can average $500 or more depending upon the area of skin you want to treat, making laser hair removal an extremely expensive alternative.

What are the alternatives then?

* Shaving

Shaving is perhaps the most common method of removing unwanted hair. Shaving is an inexpensive and relatively painless method for temporary hair removal. Hair is shaved off at skin-level using a razor and soap or shaving cream. Generally it is an accident free procedure except for occasional nicks and cuts. It is also easy to perform and is pain free.

The downside to shaving is that it doesn't last very long. Hair that is shaved typically grows back quickly, sometimes in 24 hours or less. Shaving can also cause "razor burn", an itchy and sometimes painful rash. * Plucking

Most commonly used for eyebrows, plucking is a quick and inexpensive way to remove stray strands of hair. Each hair is grasped with tweezers and then plucked from the skin. Hair that is plucked takes longer to grow back than hair that is shaved. But plucking can be painful and can obviously be a tedious process, making it appropriate only on very small areas where you find a stray hair or two. * Waxing

Similar to plucking, waxing can be a fairly painful form of hair removal since it pulls the hair out at the root. Hot or cold wax is layered over the hair directly onto the skin and then covered with a thin strip of gauze-like material. The hair and wax are pressed onto the gauze then ripped away, taking the wax and much of the hair with it. Waxing is a suitable hair removal method for larger areas such as the legs and back as well as more delicate areas like the bikini line and a woman's upper lip. Hair that has been removed with wax takes longer to grow back and usually comes in lighter and finer than before, but waxing can be painful, especially in more tender areas and can cause minor irritation and swelling. * Electrolysis

This is a more permanent method of hair removal. Electrolysis injects low electrical currents directly into the hair follicle through a needle. This method of hair removal is often painful and can cause minor scarring. The process can take hours, especially on larger areas and frequently requires more than one visit. Electrolysis is also one of the most expensive methods of hair removal and can cost several thousands of dollars depending upon the number of treatments needed. When professionally performed, electrolysis results are comparable to those of laser hair removal, and may offer even more permanent results for people who are otherwise not a candidate for laser hair removal (i.e. people with extremely dark skin, or someone who has red, blonde or gray hair).

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