Photo epilation, also known as pulsed laser, is a newer method, very similar to the laser hair removal procedure. A pulsed light beam is used to destroy the follicle’s ability to produce new hair. This method is effective for any colors and types of skin but might be quite expensive, too. In the electrolysis each hair is treated individually. A needle-like device is injected into the follicle and then an electric charge is run through it. This way the follicle roots are permanently damaged. This is a very effective method, but it’s somewhat painful and it’s also very slow.

Electric epilators have rotating heads that grasp the hairs and pull them from the follicle. This method is slower than waxing, as it can’t pull many hairs at the same time. Waxing is when you apply a layer of either hot or cold wax directly on the skin, which then you quickly pull with the help of a piece of cloth. It’s fast end effective but it’s also painful..

Sugaring is very similar to waxing. Tweezing refers to hair removal using tweezers to pluck hair from the follicle. It’s an effective method but it’s very slow at achieving the final task.

Laser refers to a method in which a beam of laser light is projected on your skin. This beam is then attracted by the dark color of the hair. It also causes permanent damage to the follicle. Although the laser hair removal is pain-free there are some limitations to it. First, it mainly works on dark hairs and fair skins. If you are dark tanned the laser hair removal will not be very effective. Second, there aren’t strong evidences that this method provides a real permanent hair removal. Third, it’s quite expensive.

Laser hair removal is performed using a technology called Intense Pulsed Light or IPL. In this procedure, a handheld device is used that emits pulses of light that are able to effectively target hair follicles in their growth phase, damaging or destroying the follicles, thus preventing re-growth. The process takes from several minutes to several hours, depending on the area of the body involved. The laser energy passes through the patient’s skin, being absorbed by the pigment in the hair follicle. A percentage of the follicles are instantaneously and permanently disabled with each treatment. In most cases, no anesthesia is necessary.

The Benefits

• A non-invasive, gentle technique that eliminates undesirable hair from all parts of the body
• Leaves skin looking smoother and silkier
• Treats larger areas effectively because it removes more than one hair at a time.
• Minimal discomfort
• Replaces waxing, electrolysis and razors
• Immediate return to normal activities

Other Considerations

• It could be ongoing process that requires multiple sessions
• Sometimes there is a temporary slight reddening of the skin or localized swelling
• May have to use specially formulated skin care products and/or a prescribed skin care regimen. Sunscreen is recommended for any treated areas exposed to the sun.
• Patients with darker pigmentation may not respond well
• Blonde, white or gray hairs are less responsive to laser treatments and sometimes cannot be treated

Laser hair removal works best when the hair is one to two millimeters in length. Patients cannot tan prior or during hair removal treatment. You may not wax but shaving in between is permitted if it’s necessary.

If you would like to learn more about how laser hair removal can put an end to all that shaving and waxing, please visit the website of cosmetic surgeon Dr. Cosby.

Laser hair removal can be a simple, pleasant process if you find the right doctor. Locating your laser hair removal specialist is not difficult. Make sure he or she is Board Certified in Dermatology. If more than one specialist is working at the office, find out if each is certified. If another member of the doctor’s staff will be performing the procedure, that person should be a registered nurse or licensed physician to ensure proper care and use of the laser equipment. Take special care in choosing your specialist because laser hair removal is a medical procedure, and should be treated as such.

The facility where your procedure will be performed should be clean and professional. Each state varies in how laser hair removal can be performed. The state requirements are broken down into four categories.

1) Physician Only: A medical doctor (MD) or Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) must actually fire the laser. Then, the doctor may ask a PA, RN or other licensed professional to use laser during the hair removal procedure.

2) Direct: The laser can be fired by a medical or non-medical professional (according to the state’s requirements), but the professional must remain under the direct supervision of the MD or DO, and also use the license and practice of the doctor.

3) Supervision: A medical or non-medical professional can fire the laser and perform the procedure under the supervision of a MD or DO. Depending on the state, the physician might or might not be present when the laser hair removal procedure is performed.

4) N/A: The state has no official requirements for laser hair removal procedures.

Below is a list of states and their general requirements for based on the four above definitions. Check within your own state, however, to obtain more detailed requirements.

Alabama: Direct
Alaska: Supervision
Arizona: Supervision
Arkansas: Supervision
California: Direct
Colorado: Supervision
Connecticut: Direct
Delaware: Physician Only
Florida: Supervision
Georgia: Supervision
Hawaii: Physician Only
Idaho: Supervision
Illinois: Supervision
Indiana: Physician Only
Iowa: Supervision
Kansas: Supervision
Kentucky: Supervision
Louisiana: Supervision
Maine: Physician Only
Maryland: Physician Only
Massachusetts: Direct
Michigan: Supervision
Minnesota: Supervision
Mississippi: Supervision
Missouri: Supervision
Montana: Physician Only
Nebraska: Direct
Nevada: Supervision
New Hampshire: Physician Only
New Jersey: Physician Only
New Mexico: Physician Only
New York: N/A
North Carolina: Supervision
North Dakota: Direct
Ohio: Supervision
Oklahoma: Direct
Oregon: Supervision
Pennsylvania: Direct
Rhode Island: Supervision
South Carolina: Direct
South Dakota: Supervision
Tennessee: N/A
Texas: Supervision
Utah: Direct
Vermont: Supervision
Virginia: Direct
Washington: Supervision
West Virginia: Supervision
Wisconsin: Supervision
Wyoming: Supervision

*State requirements as shown at the Web site of Rocky Mountain Laser College of Denver, Colorado.

Laser hair treatment costs can get really expensive, you should ensure that you can well budget for it. However, please be advised to go to an established medical center with good reputation. Treatment cost varies with the size of the area treated.

Not only does the laser hair removal cost vary by area, but it can also vary in its pricing structure. Some, for example, bundle the laser hair removal treatment with other cosmetic procedures. For instance, some may include the application of a hair retardation product to the treatment area to speed up desired results. Experienced laser centers, which have developed expertise in laser hair removal, costs an average of about $500 per treatment session. They usually recommend a basic four treatment sessions to start off with.

Number of laser hair removal treatment sessions. This means, the number of laser hair removal treatments you are going to need to complete your desired hairless effect. The total number of laser hair removal treatment sessions can be affected by your hair color, your skin pigmentation (light or dark) and the thickness of your hair. Light skin makes laser hair removal easier to perform. Fewer treatments are required, and better, faster results are obtained. People with darker skin can be treated, but results are slower, more sessions are required, and greater expertise is required on the part of the laser center. Each person varies somewhat in her or his hair regeneration speed as well. Prior to your first laser hair removal treatment - in fact, prior to your deciding to undergo laser hair removal at all - you’ll meet with the dermatologist or medical specialist responsible for the laser hair removal.

Type of laser hair removal equipment used. There are different types of laser hair removal equipment in the market. Also, do not confuse laser hair removal with intense pulsed light treatments. The latter can also produce effective hair removal. Although the devices used are not lasers, they are “laser equivalents”. Both utilize the same principle of selective photothermolysis to achieve hair removal. Intense pulsed light devices are in fact more difficult to adjust than lasers and require great expertise for their proper use. Individual consultation with the laser center is necessary to obtain exact pricing.

Technological advances have really contributed to expanding laser hair removal market and people from all over the world are now reaping the benefits of this procedure. A large percent of the patients are men, who can benefit by getting hair removed from their backs. Many male bodybuilders use the procedure to remove hair from the chest and shoulders too.

Permanent hair removal is one of the key benefits to getting laser hair removal procedure done because in most cases it is a one time process. Many clinics offer 2 to 5 year guarantees that your hair will not grow back otherwise they will refund you or offer to remove the hairs that grew back.

Laser hair removal process is generally quite painless since the lasers are designed to target the hair follicle only and not the skin around the hairs. Most patients report feeling a warm soothing sensation as the hairs are targeted by the laser.

The cost can vary depending on the location and size of the region but it is important to think long term when you are looking at the price tag.

Remember that this is a one time procedure, so you will not need to buy any more wax, or pay someone else to remove your unwanted hairs. Another great benefit is that it saves you lots of time because once it is completed there is no need to tend to that area again. Think about how much time that can save you over the course of 5, 10 or 15 years.