Laser hair removal is the state-of-the-art treatment for permanently reducing the amount of hair that you have. It’s a very popular treatment for patients of any age, but most commonly for people between the ages of 20 and 45.
When a patient arrives at our office asking about laser hair removal, we first look at their skin to determine if they’re a suitable candidate for it. The darker the hair, the thicker the hair, and the lighter your skin, the better these lasers are gonna work for you. In general, we will do about five treatments separated by about five weeks.
That allows for the new hair growth to come in, and we have found after five treatments, we’ve reduced the hair by about 90 or 95%. It’s also very important to ask your physician what type of lasers are being used for your skin. There are ones that are specific for darker skin. And then ones that can work on just about any skin type.
You can expect your laser hair removal to be permanent except for the face in women. This is because you don’t regenerate those follicles in, say the underarms, the bikini, the lower legs. The face is the one exception because of hormones over time.
Laser hair removal is not covered by insurance. However, the cost is usually determined by the area of your body that you’re having treated. It also depends on how many treatments you’re going to need based on your provider’s suggestions. So talk with your board certified dermatologist about the cost of laser hair removal, and they will let you know the range of prices.
There are also several options for at-home treatments. Reputable brands like Tria, Braun, and Silk’n have released devices that can be used in the comfort of your home. These are user-friendly with a lot of room given for error.
Here are a few reviews for your perusal:
- Braun Laser Hair Removal Pro 5 Review – The most popular choice for lighter skin tones
- Silkn Infinity Reviews – The most suitable for darker skin tones
- Tria 4x Review – Ideal for those with thick, dense hair
The right device will depend on your skin tone, hair color, budget, and desired features.
References:
- Casey, Angela S., and David Goldberg. “Guidelines for laser hair removal.” Journal of Cosmetic and Laser Therapy 10.1 (2008): 24-33.
- Gan, Stephanie D., and Emmy M. Graber. “Laser hair removal: a review.” Dermatologic Surgery 39.6 (2013): 823-838.
- Haedersdal, M., F. Beerwerth, and J. F. Nash. “Laser and intense pulsed light hair removal technologies: from professional to home use.” British Journal of Dermatology 165 (2011): 31-36.
