Because laser hair removal has grown so quickly in popularity, many new patients are unaware of their options and what to look for in a medical spa or treatment center.

Here are some tips:

Do?s

Do get a free consultation before signing up for laser hair removal procedures. Like all medical procedures, laser hair removal isn?t for everyone.

Do meet the staff and view the exam rooms. How do you feel about the staff? What is your first impression about the spa? Is it clean? Do you have a good feeling about the levels of skill and professionalism at the facility? If something doesn?t feel right, trust your instinct and keep looking.

Do ask about prices and the number of visits. How often you have to return for follow up treatments and how long the hair removal lasts will vary from patient to patient. But be sure to ask about prices and what you should expect in terms of treatment visits.

Don?ts

Don?t get a tan prior to treatment. Tanning prior to the procedure will necessitate turning the laser power down, thereby reducing the effectiveness of the treatment. Furthermore, a tan will make your skin more susceptible to an adverse side effect.

Don?t eat large amounts of foods rich in Beta Carotene for several weeks leading up to your treatments. Beta Carotene, found in carrots, squash, and vitamin A supplements can change the pigment of your skin, making it difficult to effectively target the hair follicles.

Don?t hesitate to ask about the types of equipment used. Any reputable medical spa or laser hair removal provider should be open to answer questions about the kind of lasers used, the age of the equipment, maintenance procedures, and the technology behind the lasers.

Don?t hesitate to speak up if your treatments are uncomfortable. There are many ways that a laser technician can adjust the settings to make your visits enjoyable.

So, let?s get started!

After you have completed your first laser session, it is advised that you apply some aloe Vera lotion to your skin. This can only help to sooth your skin from the potential stress it might have gone through during the treatment.

The first thing you will notice is that all the hair that had been treated will start shedding. However, in order for the shedding to occur, your hair would first have to grow until it passes through your skin. In general, you will find that shedding will occur within 7 - 10 days from the time of treatment, and can continue shedding up till 3 weeks from time of treatment.

A great way to speed up the process of shedding is by either exfoliating or scrubbing your skin in the shower with a loofa.

Once the shedding process is completed, you might find small black colored dots left behind in your skin. These black dots are commonly known as pepperspots. Don?t panic if this happens to you. The pepperspots will also shed from your skin eventually.

Exfoliating will also help to speed this process of this occurrence up.

Once all the shedding has completed, the laser treated area of your skin will go through a “hair free” period that can last for a few weeks until the dormant hair starts to grow. Once enough hair in the laser treated area of your skin has come out, it will be time to go for your next session of laser hair removal treatment.

Please keep in mind that if you do not experience any shedding after the laser treatment, it is necessary that you inform your technician about this occurrence so that he or she can put the settings of the treatment higher in order to rectify the problem.

But what next?

Well one of the things you?ll need to consider is the cost. Laser hair removal isn?t a cheap option. The costs usually range anywhere from $500 all the way to $800 (and it can cost even more depending on what area of your body you?re having done). These prices are for the average client per session. Another thing that jacks up the price is the fact that you?ll need multiple sessions if you want permanent hair removal.

Six sessions is usually enough for most people. The reason for this is that it takes around six sessions to kill off all the hair follicles. But you?ll see results after every session, as more and more of the hair follicles stop working.

So if you can get six sessions at $500 a piece, you?re looking at $3000. Certainly not a small sum of money, but let?s see where that money is going.

Firstly, you?re paying for the experience and expertise of the people who are performing the laser hair removal. But even more so, you?re paying for the knowledge that they are going to be using the latest and safest technologies to perform the laser hair removal.

There are a few horror stories out there, where things have gone terribly wrong. These stories aren?t nice to hear, but this really shouldn?t effect you if you are dealing with reputable people and a reputable company. You should be offered a consultation before you have the treatment anyway, which should give you a chance to gauge the quality of service.

You?re also paying for the assurance that they will do the job properly. If you want permanent hair removal, they should be able to work out how many sessions you?ll need.

So in conclusion, laser hair removal can be expensive. But if this is the option you want to take, then you shouldn?t skimp on price. The old adage, ?you get what you pay for? definitely applies when it comes to laser hair removal.

Before you go out and buy one of these types of machines you should know that it may take a little practice to get efficient with the process of laser hair removal. It will most likely take you a few times trying it before you will be completely comfortable with it. Here are a few basic items that you should be familiar with when you make your decision to purchase a machine and try this at home.

To understand how it works lets take a look at the procedure. At most any time about 80% of the hair on your body is growing. All hair follows a set cycle for it’s growth. Hair also goes through a resting stage before it falls out. During the resting phase the laser cannot kill it in the follicle itself.

The only other treatment that can provide a long term removal of hair is electrolysis. This is a very long process, often requiring several visits and can be quite painful. The laser uses pulses of light to gently kill each follicle that has a hair shaft that is in it’s growing stage. The laser is able to pass over areas quickly. It can kill many follicles at once. This is much quicker than other forms of permanent removal of hair. You may experience some slight discomfort with the laser hair removal. Compared to other methods it is very minimal.

Most everyone should be happy with the Epila laser hair removal process and results, as long as you are patient and willing to practice a few times with it before you think you are a pro…

What this means in practice is that although most hair will be removed over a course of treatment, some hair will remain and some may re-grow, usually much lighter and finer, therefore, occasional top-up treatments may be needed.

Laser and IPL use energy in the form of light to destroy the hair follicle. The energy directed from the handpiece is absorbed by the melanin in the hair follicle, momentarily heating it to around 70 degrees centigrade killing the follicle and thus preventing further hair growth. However to complicate matters most people also have melanin in their skin that also absorbs light energy creating heat in the skin. If this heat is excessive it will cause blisters or burns. For this reason the ideal candidates for these treatments are those who are dark haired and fair skinned like the typical Irish complexion, whereas suntanned Danes with very fair hair are poor candidates.

We always insist that clients stay out of the sun for a few weeks prior to treatment so that the level of melanin in the skin is as low as possible and therefore wintertime in the UK is the ideal time for treatments.

With care most people can be treated but some may require many more treatments and any white, grey or even some red hairs will respond poorly (or not at all) to light based hair removal treatments. These will require many more treatments at a much lower power level and the operator will have to be extremely careful to ensure that the machine is correctly set to avoid skin damage.

Thankfully, most modern laser and IPL devices make this process much easier but it is still necessary to have a highly skilled operator and here in the UK all establishments must be registered with the Health Care Commission before they perform any laser or IPL treatments.

Hair grows in cycles and many factors influence it’s growth including age, ethnicity, weight, hormones, diet, medication and metabolism along with your hair’s location, thickness and resilience. Only hair that is in it’s growing cycle will be destroyed at each treatment session. The number of hairs growing at any one time and the length of time between treatments varies, but generally we allow 4 to 8 weeks.

There is sometimes mild pain associated with laser treatments. This discomfort ranges in intensity and has been described as mild as the snap of a rubber band to the sensation of a hot pinprick. When treating sensitive areas, (upper lip and bikini areas) some practitioners often elect to use a topical anaesthetic cream, which helps to reduce any discomfort.

There are two big difference between Laser and Intense Pulsed Light systems. One is in the area that can be treated in one go and the treatment speed. Generally IPL treatments heads are up to 8 times larger than the small spot produced by lasers and therefore treatments are much quicker.

The other difference is the wavelength of light produced. Lasers produce light with one specific wavelength whilst IPL uses an entire waveband. Different wavelengths penetrate the skin to different depths so using IPL is like using a group of lasers in a single treatment.

In our clinic we use an Ellipse Flex that with I?PL technology employing dual-mode filtering which removes water absorbing wavelengths from the output spectrum of the system. With the older intense pulsed light technology, water absorbing wavelengths are absorbed in the skin creating a non-specific thermal injury, which can lead to an increased risk of side-effects particularly burns.

To remove the infrared light, the Ellipse I?PL? system has a unique extra filter consisting of circulation water. This means that the light components that normally would ?heat? the water in the skin now ?heat? the water in the system instead. By eliminating these wavelengths, the Ellipse I?PL is able to more specifically generate heat in the hair follicles rather than the skin. The unique Ellipse I?PL? Technology eliminates the unwanted wavelengths, and standardizes the light use, meaning less energy is required to achieve a clinical effect. As a result, pain is reduced, while minimizing side-effects. With this new technology there is no need for thick, messy gels and contact cooling which makes the patient’s experience more pleasant.

Two classes of IPL systems are available; those that HAVE been tested for safety and performance by accredited, independent testing facilities, such as the European Union Medical Devices Directive (EU), as well as the FDA (Food and Drug Administration ? US Government), and those that HAVE NOT been subject to such third-party testing.

Such untested systems are labelled with the standard CE mark but without an EU number. A system with a CE or FDA accreditation provides certainty that the system has undergone and passed stringent safety tests, that the manufacturer has documented that the system can perform the stated clinical treatments efficiently, and that possible risk and side effects are of an acceptable level for the results obtained.

The ELLIPSE IPL systems, have obtained accreditation and approval from both the EU as well as the FDA.

For your own safety when deciding on your treatment ensure that you choose a clinic that is registered with the Healthcare Commission, if not they will probably be un-insured, that uses a well known, tested and proven device. You must have a comprehensive consultation and patch test several days before you undergo any treatment and make sure you are not seduced by outlandish claims or discounts.

As popular as body hair removal has become, it is also one of the biggest challenges that most people have to face. Some of the reasons for this are because even though there are so many methods and tools on the market to effectively remove body hair, none of them can really remove hair permanently, are quite painful, can be a little messy, or can be a little to very expensive.

However, without dwelling too much on the negative aspects of body hair removal, many of the methods and tools above are quite effective as well as allow each individual to choose a tool or method that they feel the most comfortable with.

Some people feel that they are willing to put up with the pain of waxing unwanted hair off their bodies because the effects are by far longer lasting than shaving, which generally has to be done on a daily basis. Others on the other hand don’t like the pain associated with waxing, yet still want to have unwanted hair off their bodies for long periods of time. These types of people therefore don’t mind paying the high prices of laser hair removal which is a method that can effectively keep hair of the body for very long periods of time.

With every method and tool that has been created to remove body hair, there will be pros and cons.

What ever route you take, make sure that it is the most comfortable method and that the after effects are not disappointing. After all, we all know what a pain it is to have ingrown hairs or razor burns.

Excessive facial and body hair is currently considered as unattractive on both women and men, so laser hair removal has become quite popular. In spite of the dangers involved with laser hair removal, people of all backgrounds are using it to remove unwanted hair on their face, arms, back, legs, chest, and anywhere else that you can think of. Information about laser hair removal are available all over the Internet and on certain magazines.

This beauty enhancing treatment is often offered at discount rates to entice people to try this treatment, but it is not without risks. One of the biggest risks of laser hair removal is the excessive use of lidocaine as an anesthetic. Laser hair removal can be an extremely painful procedure; therefore people often need pain-dulling cream to reduce the pain involved.

Many people are allergic to this cream, and even if they are not; they are still exposed to danger. Excessive use of lidocaine can lead to double vision, difficult breathing, and in worst cases, death. People who are not adequately informed of the possible dangers will not be able to decide to cancel their treatment due to potential life threatening dangers.

Nevertheless, despite of the potential dangers involved, laser hair removal also offers some advantages. One of the best things about this treatment is the convenience. If you are unhappy with your body hair, there is no other alternative besides waxing, which is very painful.

Shaving is also a solution, but this is not applicable to back hair problems that make many men feel insecure. A few sessions of laser hair removal will get rid of your hair problems once and for all. There will be no more need to shave, wax, or apply any cream again, and so in the long run this treatment can save you time and money.

Let’s take a look at some of the methods to remove unwanted facial hair shall we;

Shaving with a regular razor is one of the most common methods by men but not so much by women. The big advantage of shaving is that it is cheap and quick. The downside of it is that you are more prone to cuts and razor burns. To add to the misery you would have to shave on a daily basis in order to keep the hair away.

Waxing is another method that is commonly used by women and gradually becoming popular by men too. Generally, waxing is used in order to remove unwanted facial hair such as that on the upper lip. The great thing about waxing is that it keeps unwanted hair away for long periods of time due to the fact that the hair is removed from the actual root itself. The downside to waxing is that it can be painful especial when you do it for the first time. Besides that, it still remains a cheap and effective way of keeping unwanted facial hair for long periods of time.

Tweezing is another effective method that is used by both men and women. The most common area for tweezing is the eyebrows. Generally it is not recommended to tweeze your whole face as it is very time consuming as well as be very painful. Tweezing can keep unwanted facial hair away for long periods of time because of the fact that it pulls the hair out by the root, if done properly.

Electrolysis is also a very effective method for removing facial hair that can keep unwanted facial hair away for very long periods of time. Far longer that that of waxing. In order to accomplish this however, you would need to dig a little deeper into your pockets and have more time to spare (because of the multiple sessions needed in order for it to be effective).

What is Hair Removal Laser Surgery? Laser surgery is an effective and efficient manner to get rid of unwanted hair forever. Most states in America require that a qualified medical practitioner or a MD to perform or oversee the surgery. These systems are designed for use by doctors. In untrained hands it could cause damage to the skin and the person. A mild anesthetic would be applied to the skin before the surgery so as to avoid even the little discomfort that occurs during the process. Surgery requires the use of FDA approved equipment such as the diode laser.

How Many Sittings are Required? At a time only three fourth of a person’s hair grows so only with repeated sittings of hair removal laser surgery, at least a month apart can all the hair from the area be removed. The number of times surgery would be required would depend on the amount of hair that needs to be removed. So if you are only removing sections from your moustache it would take fewer sittings as compared to if you were having it removed from your back and your arms and legs. The amount of time required for each time is also dependent on the area to be covered.

Does Surgery Affect Your Skin? Laser beams are absorbed only by the follicles which are darker than the skin and are reflected back by the lighter skin. Surgery is found to be most effective when the skin is lighter than the hair. Black hair is found to easily removed as is hair that is coarse. If you have a darker skin tone you may still be able to get surgery after the skin has been bleached. Mild discoloration is seen in occasional cases and is temporary. It is important that you follow the instructions and advice of your surgeon.

Precautions To Be Taken Before and After Surgery It is important that your skin is not tanned before you have surgery. If you need to bleach your skin beforehand your doctor will let you know. After surgery it is important to protect the skin from direct sun contact. A sunscreen of SPF 15 and higher must be used and tanning is prohibited until your surgeon tells you otherwise.

What is the Cost of Surgery? The pricing of surgery differs from place to place and also from doctor to doctor. In comparison to conventional hair removal methods it is more expensive but then you are assured painless removal of your that is virtually permanent. Furthermore surgery requires more expertise than your regular beauty practitioner. So think of the cost of hair removal surgery as a one time payment to say good bye to unwanted hair while you would be paying regularly for more inconvenient and messy hair removal techniques. Hair laser removal surgery could cost $100-$500 depending on the amount of hair to be removed.

Don?t panic! Your practitioner will usually have a list of things you should and should not do before starting treatment.

Let us take a look at some of the more general things you should do need to know in order to prepare yourself;

Avoid tanning for at least four to six weeks before you go for your laser treatment. A good precaution is to always put on sun screen lotion during this time period. The reason for avoiding the sun is because the sun helps your skin produce melanin. Melanin is what makes your skin change its color, Melanin also happens to be what the laser is targeting in your unwanted hair. Why? It is because melanin absorbs the laser energy and converts it into heat. If enough heat is produced, the hair follicle is destroyed. If there is too much melanin in your skin, most of the laser energy will instead be absorbed by your skin. This means that only the leftovers will be absorbed by your hair which in turn means that not enough heat will be produced in your hair follicle in order to destroy it.

Go easy on vitamin A supplements as well as ingested Beta Carotene. Ingested Beta Carotene can usually be found in vegetables such as carrots and squash. The reason why you should avoid go easy on Beta Carotene is because it happens to change your skin color to a subtle orange or yellow color, which means once again that more melanin is produced in the skin, therefore diluting the power of the laser energy that is targeting the hair follicle.