Consumer Guide to Laser Hair Removal
A complete guide for the consumer containing important information on laser hair removal. Sponsored by the Institute of Laser Medicine at 100 UCLA Medical Plaza, Los Angeles 90095. [2007 Update]
Introduction
Lasers are a new modality for the rapid, gentle removal of unwanted hair. Lasers are not for everyone, and their proper use requires great expertise. Consumers contemplating laser hair removal require education to properly evaluate if and where to have laser hair removal performed. Many competing technologies exist. Several are already outmoded, and others offer particular advantages for certain patient populations. This site is designed to help consumers decide if they are proper candidates for laser hair removal and to answer the most relevant questions concerning this important new advance.
Contents
1. Am I a candidate for laser hair removal?
Laser hair removal is not for everyone. The absolute requirement is that one's hair must be darker than the surrounding skin. Additionally very darkly pigmented people absorb too much laser energy in their skin and are not ideal candidates. Tanned patients with light hair are not candidates. Tanned patients with dark hair should wait until their tan fades before they are treated. Lastly the treatment cost should be within reach of the patient. Laser hair removal, although much less expensive than electrolysis, requires multiple treatments, and generally costs over $1000 in total for most anatomic areas.
2. What will it cost for laser hair removal for me?
Treatment cost varies with the size of the area treated. Experienced laser centers, which have developed expertise in laser hair removal, generally average about $500 per treatment session, with an average of four treatment sessions initially recommended. Large areas, such as the entire back, or the entire legs, cost considerably more than this. Small areas, such as the upper lip, can be less. Individual consultation with the laser center is necessary to obtain exact pricing.
3. Influence of skin color on laser hair removal.
4. Influence of hair color on laser hair removal.
5. Laser hair removal requires multiple treatments.
6. What areas can be treated?
7. About permanent hair reduction by laser.
8. Pulsed light and laser hair removal.
9. Myths 1: Guarantees in laser hair removal.
10. Myths 2: Discount laser hair removal clinics.
11. Myths 3: Laser hair removal limitations of effectiveness.
12. Qualifications of laser hair removal personnel.
13. Importance of experience in selecting a laser hair removal facility.
14. Tanning and laser hair removal.
15. Adverse treatment reactions.
16. Diet and laser hair removal.
17. Beta-Carotene and laser hair removal.
18. Laser hair removal and children.
19. Laser hair removal for African-Americans.
20. Laser hair removal for other people of color.
21. Who should not have laser hair removal.
22. How to assess a laser hair removal facility.
For further information on laser hair removal, including before and after photographs, click here.
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