What is laser hair removal?

This article outlines differences and similarities between different hair removal techniques so you can choose one that best suits your needs.

These are the following ways to get rid of unwanted hair.

1. Laser Hair Removal. During your procedure, your provider will use a laser beam to heat hair in your skin. Treated hair will thermally damage the hair follicle. Damaged hair follicles will stop the production of new hair. Laser hair removal provides permanent hair reduction. You can do a Full Body laser treatment in as low as one hour. You will have nearly no hair between appointments (four to six weeks apart). You will have smooth skin; every treatment will reduce your hair coverage by about 15-20% of what’s left. However, it is not a pleasant procedure by any stretch. Still, it is less painful than waxing and permanently reduces hair coverage for most customers. Laser hair removal is based on selective photothermolysis. Melanin pigment in the hair will absorb laser light while surrounding tissues remain unharmed. All current lasers, diode lasers, and IPL devices target melanin pigment in the hair. They have different efficiency based on the limitations of technology. Currently, Alex and YAG lasers are considered the most advanced for laser hair removal. Alexandrite (ALEX) lasers are suitable for light skin tones, while Nd: YAG lasers are more suitable for dark skin and coarse and deep-growing hair.
2. Shaving. Arguably the cheapest and least convenient way. You would need to shave, if not daily, then very frequently. Among the most inconveniences of shavings are razor cuts, skin irritation, and time spent frequently shaving large areas of your body.
3. Waxing. Not much cheaper in the short run and is much more expensive in the long run compared to laser hair removal. You need to pay for waxing every three to four weeks in perpetuity! Waxing does not permanently reduce your hair coverage in any meaningful way. Waxing might contribute to ingrown hair, bleeding, high levels of pain, and the need to have long hair before you can wax again. Waxing is the most painful way of hair removal.
4. Electrolysis. For some customers, like those with gray and white hair, this might be the only viable option to eliminate unwanted hair permanently. However, if done correctly, an unpleasant and painful procedure provides permanent hair reduction. Electrology uses electrical hair removal to remove human hair from the body permanently. Electrolysis is a process of removing hair using electricity. In electrolysis, a qualified professional called an electrologist slides a hair-thin, solid metal probe into each hair follicle without puncturing the skin (when inserted correctly). Electricity is delivered to the follicle through the probe, which causes localized damage to the areas that generate hairs, either through the formation of caustic sodium hydroxide (the galvanic method), overheating, or both (the blend method).
5. Chemical dissolving. Some creams would chemically dissolve hair on your skin. You need to be highly cautious and follow the manufacturer’s recommendation (just like with any similar product).

These are the most common ways of hair removal. It is up to you to decide the best option for your case. Also, it might be beneficial to read the article where we explain the differences between different laser hair removal machines. 

These are the most common ways of hair removal. It is up to you to decide the best option for your case. Also, it might be beneficial to read the article where we explain the differences between different machines.