Laser Hair Removal > Frequently Asked Questions

Is laser hair removal right for me?

Laser hair removal may not be right for everyone. There are many things to consider, one of which is the cost. Is the cost of laser hair removal going to put you into the poor house? If so, then this procedure is not for you. Many people find that the cost of laser hair removal is small compared to the benefits they achieve through persistent, competent treatment.

How much do laser hair removal procedures cost?

The cost of laser hair removal treatment varies by the area of the body that is to be treated. Naturally, larger areas are more expensive to treat than smaller areas. Some clinics will charge more for an area that has a lot of hair on it. Others offer flat fees for treatment of specific areas regardless of the amount of hair present in the patient. Treatment of the upper lip can cost as low as $100 up to around $400, depending on the clinic and the type of laser used. The average cost for hair removal treatments is about $500 per treatment, with three or four treatments necessary to achieve permanent hair reduction. It is important to remember that to get the kind of permanent hair reduction that most people want several treatments will be necessary. This is because the treatment is really only effective on the hair follicles that are in the anagen, or active growth phase. About one-third of the hair follicles in most areas will be in the anagen phase at the time of treatment. This means that to get those remaining two-thirds, you will need to schedule several treatments over a period of time. The standard for most areas of the body is to plan out three to four treatments over a period of four to six months. This will ensure that the vast majority of follicles will be treated in the anagen phase, and thus the series of treatments will provide permanent hair removal that most people want. Many patients find that they like to do treatments on an as-needed basis rather than planning out several treatments in advance. This can prove to be a more cost effective method for those on a tight budget. Most laser hair removal specialists will work with the patient to come up with a plan that works.

How does skin color affect laser hair removal?

The color of the skin has profound effect on the potential efficacy of laser hair removal treatment. The ideal situation is a patient with light colored skin and dark colored hair. This is because the laser energy is absorbed by the dark pigment in the hair and not by the skin. Darker skin will tend to absorb more of the laser energy thus preventing it from absorption by the hair. Those who have tanned skin are advised to wait until the tan fades before undergoing any laser hair removal treatment.

How does hair color affect laser hair removal?

The pigment in the hair is of great importance to the efficacy of laser hair removal treatments. The rule is that the hair needs to be darker than the surrounding skin. This prevents the skin from absorbing laser energy that is really being directed to the hair follicles. This is also important to prevent some possible side effects of laser treatment like pigment changes in the skin. The type of hair that responds best to treatment is dark coarse hair. Blonde or red hair is very difficult to treat because it does not absorb enough of the laser energy to be effective.

What areas can I have treated?

Just about any area of the body can be treated except the area near the eyes. The most commonly treated areas are the upper lip, bikini line, neck, chest, back, underarms and legs.

How many treatments will it take to get permanent results?

It is impossible to predict the type of results that will be achieved. Each individual responds differently to laser hair removal treatments. It is often recommended that three to four treatments be scheduled over a period of time to achieve permanent hair reduction. More or less treatments may be necessary depending on individual circumstances. But results tend to be cumulative, meaning the more treatments performed the better the results.

Will the treated area be truly hairless?

Again it is impossible to predict the results of laser hair removal treatments. Results are achieved on an individual basis with the help of laser hair removal technicians. The FDA has approved several lasers to achieve a result they call permanent hair reduction. The more treatments that are performed the better the results will be. But there is a limit beyond which it may be unsafe to continue. The patient should not obsess or overdo it. A state of permanent hair reduction should be an adequate goal for anyone considering laser hair removal treatment.

What are some of the possible side effects of laser hair removal?

With any medical procedure there are risks and possible side effects. Side effects associated with laser hair removal treatment are permanent changes in the pigmentation of the skin in the area that has been treated. This may be hypo-pigmentation where the treated area will have a lighter skin tone or hyper-pigmentation where the area treated will have a darker skin tone. There can also be scarring caused by excessive burning of the skin. Such side effects underscore the fact that any prospective laser hair removal patient should research the background, accreditation, and history of the laser hair removal clinic they choose. Laser-Hair-Removal-USA.com and the publisher and owner of this web site, makes no representation, guarantee, or warranty (express or implied) as to the medical ability, competence, or quality of treatment which may be provided by any of the laser hair removal centers which are listed herein on the www.laser-hair-removal-usa.com website. Read our Disclaimer.

Are there drugs that can make laser hair removal more dangerous?

There are some medications that can increase the chances of side effects or problems during a laser hair removal treatment. These drugs are in a family of drugs that increase the photosensitivity of the patient. Accutane, the acne drug for example, must be discontinued for at least six months prior to a laser hair removal treatment. If you are currently taking any medication, be sure to bring it to the attention of your laser hair removal specialist so that you can make an informed decision.

Can I have laser hair removal treatments if I am pregnant?

There is no evidence that concludes that laser hair removal treatment is unsafe for a pregnant woman or her unborn child, but this may be due to the fact that there is not a good deal of scientific data on the subject at this time. Laser hair removal is a relatively new treatment that started in the 1990's. To be on the safe side, it is recommended that the prospective patient who is pregnant wait until the child is born before undergoing treatment. Be sure to consult your obstetrician if you are considering laser treatment while pregnant.