I often get questions on what to do with unwanted hair, since many men wish they didn’t have to deal with it on some part of their body (ie. face, back, chest). Sometimes the only solution I can recommend is laser hair removal. So below, I listed the most common questions and answers to help you make the best decision.
Does the hair grow back?
Eighty to 90% of good candidates can achieve over 80% permanent hair reduction in an average of 4 to 7 sessions. In between these monthly sessions, some of the hair will regrow as the hair cycles. Hair that may have been dormant during your previous laser hair removal session may now be in the growth phase, hence, multiple sessions. This ensures that all the hairs are subjected to the treatment, therefore achieving 80% hair reduction.
Is it true that this procerdure does not work on tanned skin or people of color?
Treating a person with dark skin is one of the most challenging tasks for any laser surgeon. The reason is that melanin pigment, which lives in the surface of our skin (our epidermis), is designed to absorb light. To get there a laser has to go through the epidermis. If there is melanin in the epidermis it will do two things:
- Absorb the light away from what the surgeon is trying to treat
- Make it possible for the laser to injure the epidermis
So, a doctor has to be very careful in choosing the right lasers and the right energies when treating patients with dark skin.
Does it hurt?
The level of pain not only varies by the individual, but also by the area being treated. Areas of thick, dark and/or dense hair will absorb more light thereby causing more discomfort. Not to worry though, the doctor performing the treatment can provide prescription-strength topical lidocaine to numb the area for an additional cost.
What areas of the body can laser hair removal be used on?
Unwanted hair is usually removed from various parts of the body, including the face, chin, abdomen, chest, back and hands. Be aware however, eyebrows and ear hair are a no-treat zone due to their close proximity to delicate organs.
Source: The Hair Removal Journal
