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What is a laser?
A laser is an instrument that produces an intense, concentrated beam of light. Lasers are used for many different medical reasons, including surgery, correcting eyesight, breaking up kidney stones and -- yes -- hair removal.
How much does laser hair removal cost?
The cost of laser hair removal treatments can vary widely. There are many factors to consider -- everything from the clinic where you are receiving treatment, to the area you are treating, to how many treatments you require, to the part of the country you live in. Laser hair removal can be expensive, particularly if you are treating a large area. Many clinics offer treatment packages at a discount, making ongoing treatment more affordable. Most also offer payment plans and are willing to work with customers on different payment options. The first place to start is to schedule a consultation with a qualified professional to discuss your options. Below is a chart with some estimated costs based on the treatment provided. Please keep in mind that these are just estimates; your actual costs may be higher or lower.
| Treatment Area | Estimated Range
Per Treatment |
|---|
| Bikini Area | $350 - 500 | | Back | $600 - 900 | | Arms | $350 - 500 | | Upper Legs | $600 - 850 | | Lower Legs | $600 - 850 | | Underarms | $250 - 350 | | Face/Neck | $600 - 900 | | Chest | $350 - 600 |
Will my insurance cover the cost of laser hair removal?
Typically, health insurance will not cover laser hair removal; in fact, virtually no providers will bill insurance companies for the cost of treatment. However, just about all laser hair removal providers are willing to work with clients on payment plans.
Is laser hair removal permanent?
According to the Food and Drug Administration, laser hair removal is considered a “permanent reduction.” What that means is that most people can expect an 80 to 90 percent reduction in hair growth to treated areas after a completed course six to eight treatments. Ultimately, you can't expect every single hair in the treated area to be gone, and you may need ongoing, once-yearly touch-up treatments for regrowth as your body ages and new hair growth appears. In addition, although it's not clear why, a small percentage of people simply do not respond to laser hair removal treatments.
Will laser hair removal hurt?
While laser hair removal has been described as “virtually painless,” it can cause some mild discomfort, similar to the sensation of a rubber band being snapped on the skin, particularly for those with sensitive skin. If you're treating more sensitive areas such as the face, underarms or bikini line, you may experience slightly more discomfort.
Does laser hair removal work on all hair and skin types?
Laser hair removal does work to a certain extent on all hair and skin types, but it is more effective on some than on others. Since it targets melanin (pigment) in the hair follicles, it works best on those with fair skin and dark hair.
How long is the treatment?
How long your treatment takes depends on how large the treatment area is. For an upper lip, a typical treatment will be just a couple of minutes; for a larger area such as the back or legs, a typical treatment may take up to an hour.
How soon will I see results?
You should start to see some results a week or two after your first treatment, when the treated hair follicles begin to “shed.” After you shed the affected hair, you will remain hair-free until the follicles that were dormant during your last treatment begin growing hair. Since all hair follicles aren't active at the same time, it usually takes several treatment sessions over a period of months to completely treat a chosen area.
What results can I expect?
Your individual results will depend on your hair and skin tone. After four to seven sessions, most people achieve their desired level of hair loss. However, you may require more treatments. Typically, laser hair removal results in an 80 to 90 percent reduction in hair on the treated area; what hair remains is almost always more fine than before. You may need occasional maintenance treatments as time goes on.
How many treatments will I need?
There is no set number of treatments to achieve desired results. It depends on a variety of factors including your hair and skin tone. Typically you will undergo a series of monthly or bimonthly sessions over a period of time. Most people will achieve their desired level of hair loss after four to seven sessions. This is important to keep in mind when planning for laser hair removal: If you have a vacation coming up in a month, you can't expect to begin laser hair removal treatments and be as hair-free as you would like within that month.
What will my skin look like after treatment?
You may experience a slight reddening of the skin immediately after treatment. This should go away after a short period of time; a cold compress will help alleviate it as well.
Will laser hair removal cause scarring?
While it is highly unusual, in a very small percentage of cases laser hair removal can cause blistering and scarring to the treated area. You can further reduce your chances of scarring by making sure you choose a reputable, well-qualified laser hair removal clinic that uses the latest technology.
Are there side effects of laser hair removal?
The majority of people who undergo laser hair removal will experience no side effects. When side effects do occur, the most common are redness or temporary tenderness of the treated area (much like a mild sunburn) which will go away shortly after treatment. On rare occasions, treated skin may undergo a temporary pigment change, becoming lighter or darker for a period of weeks to months before returning to normal. This is more common with darker or suntanned skin. While it is highly unlikely, especially with an experienced and skilled practitioner, scarring may occur in a very, very few cases.
What are the disadvantages to laser hair removal?
Laser hair removal does have its drawbacks. It can be quite expensive, especially if you are treating a large area. It does not yield complete immediate results, taking months and sometimes years to be completely effective. Some will require touch-up treatments indefinitely to maintain a hairless appearance. Some will experience discomfort during treatment. While it is considered safe, it some cases it can result in blistering or scarring. Additionally, not everyone will respond to laser hair removal.
What should I do before a treatment?
You should ask your practitioner for a detailed list of pre-treatment instructions, but there are some basic things you should do. Several weeks before beginning laser hair removal treatments, stop tweezing or bleaching hair on the area to be treated. Avoid sunbathing or sunless tanning as well. The day before or the day of treatment, shave the area so there is a light stubble or shadow.
What should I do after a treatment?
Your practitioner should provide you with a detailed list of post-treatment instructions. However, here are a few things you should do after treatment. Immediately following treatment, apply a cold compress to the area to help alleviate redness. Use plenty of gentle moisturizer on the treated area for a few days as well, and avoid makeup. If additional hair removal is needed between treatments, do not tweeze, wax or bleach; however, you can shave if necessary. Use a loofah or exfoliating sponge to help hair follicles “shed.” And make sure to protect yourself from sun exposure during the course of your treatment and for a few weeks following.
What can I expect after treatment?
Immediately after treatment, you may experience a slight redness of the treated area, similar to a mild sunburn. This should go away after a brief amount of time and can be alleviated by using a cold compress for a few minutes before you leave the clinic. You should also use a soothing lotion for at least a few days after treatment. After two weeks or so, you'll see what looks like hair growing in over the treated area. This is actually the treated hair follicles “shedding.” The shedding process can last up to two weeks. You may also see small black dots under the skin, which is also part of the shedding process.
What should I ask the doctor before treatment?
Before beginning treatment, ask plenty of questions of your doctor. Don't be embarrassed to bring along some paper to jot down notes, or a list of questions you don't want to forget to ask. Here are a few basic questions: - Are you a board-certified physician? Is there a board-certified physician here?
- What is your specialty?
- How long have you been providing laser hair removal?
- Do you own your own lasers? How many different lasers do you own?
- How were you trained to use the equipment?
- How much will my laser hair removal cost?
- May I have some references?
How should I choose a specialist?
Make sure the specialist you choose regularly performs laser hair removal treatments, uses the latest technology and that the staff are all properly trained in using the various types of lasers. Make sure there is a supervising physician. Word of mouth is important as well. Ask for references and don't be afraid to follow up on them. Ask plenty of questions and make sure you are comfortable with the answers. Take advantage of the free consultation to check out the offices and talk to the staff.
Who is the ideal candidate for laser hair removal?
The perfect candidate for laser hair removal is someone with fair skin and dark hair. Since the laser is drawn to darker pigments, it can be more effective when the hair is much darker than the skin -- more energy is concentrated on the hair follicles, which disables them more fully. However, with a skilled technician and current technology, just about anyone is a candidate for laser hair removal. It will be less effective on grey or very light hair, or on hair that is very close in color to your skin tone.
What are the effects of tanning on laser hair removal?
It's best to avoid tanning and sunbathing if you want to have laser hair removal treatments. Tanned skin increases your risk of unpleasant side effects such as blistering and even scarring.
Will laser hair removal work for me?
With today's technology and the variety of different lasers available, laser hair removal is a viable option for more and more people. In the hands of a properly trained technician, laser hair removal will work for almost anyone.
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