Laser Hair Removal

Is Laser Hair Removal the Option for You?

By Dylan Roche

Anyone who’s had to remove hair from their body on a regular basis—whether through shaving, tweezing, or waxing— will agree that it’s a tedious and sometimes painful part of their grooming routine.

But there’s one other option: laser hair removal. It’s not as common and it isn’t the right method for everyone, but in certain cases, it yields great results.

Got questions about laser hair removal? Here’s what you should know…

DOES HAIR REMOVAL SURGERY ACTUALLY USE A LASER TO REMOVE HAIR?

Yes, it does. A dermatologist or cosmetic surgeon performs laser hair removal surgery by aiming the laser at the area of skin where hair removal is desired. The concentrated light from the laser is absorbed by the pigment in your hair, which damages the hair follicles and stops your hair from growing in the future.

IS THIS EFFECTIVE FOR ALL HAIR?

You can get laser hair removal anywhere on your body except for around your eye, as there’s risk of eye injury from the laser. However, areas like your legs and armpits are fair game. You can even get laser hair removal on areas of your face that aren’t too close to your eyes, such as your chin or upper lip.

The process has the greatest effect when there’s a contrast between your skin tone and your hair color (fair skin with dark hair) but advances in technology have improved results for people with darker complexions. It’s still less effective on lighter hair colors, which don’t absorb light as well as dark hair colors. If you have blond, red, gray, or white hair, you might need to consider other options.

IS THE HAIR REMOVAL PERMANENT?

It depends. While laser hair removal is commonly regarded as a procedure you have to do every few months to maintain results, the American Academy of Dermatology says that technology has gotten to the point where the skin stays hair-free for years. Any hair that does grow back will likely be thinner and less noticeable.

DO MEN GET LASER HAIR REMOVAL?

They do! While most laser hair removal patients are women, there are many men who have their hair lasered off so they don’t have to deal with razor burn or ingrown hairs. The treatment can be used to remove hair from their beard or mustache area or to sculpt their sideburns. Men can also undergo the procedure to deal with excess body hair that makes them self-conscious or uncomfortable, such as hair on their back. Male athletes like swimmers and cyclists will sometimes get laser hair removal to improve their performance in competition.

DOES IT HURT?

Although the laser leaves the skin undamaged when it attacks the hair follicle, some patients do experience skin irritation and redness for a few hours. In rare cases, there might be blistering, scarring, and changes in skin color and texture. To soothe this, doctors recommend using a simple ice pack against the skin or hydrocortisone cream.

WHAT SHOULD I LOOK FOR IN SOMEONE WHO PERFORMS LASER HAIR REMOVAL?

Look for a dermatologist or cosmetic surgeon who has experience and who has achieved good results on someone with your complexion and hair color (ask to see before and after photos of their previous work). Per the advice of the American Academy of Dermatology, avoid going to a salon or spa where you don’t know whether the person performing the procedure is qualified.