Medical Spas Review

Everything You Wanted to Know about Laser Hair Removal ... but were afraid to ask

By:  Dr Mark Baily

Unwanted or excess hair, whether body or facial, is a common cosmetic nuisance across society and around the world. Arising from this want of consumers to be hair free, laser hair removal has become the fastest growing non-surgical cosmetic procedure currently in North America; second only to Botox Cosmetic in terms of number of treatments done per year. This compares to 2002 when it ranked number 4.

In a matter of years I would not be surprised to see LHR’s sales actually surpass those of Botox; as this demand continues to surge. Surprisingly enough, 40% of clients are male; many of them, like myself, have been urged to get treatments by their significant other. I probably would never had considered it had it not been for my wife who suggested I did it. Sleeping beside someone whose back and front were like that of a gorilla or sometimes Velcro a few days after I had shaved, can’t be fun. That being said, I am truly delighted that I had the procedure done as I enjoy the cleaner look and feel of smooth, hairless skin on my back and chest.

The reason for this exceptional growth in Laser Hair Removal is due to the fact that large areas can typically be treated in a non invasive manner in a relatively short amount of time; due to the improvement in laser technology over the past few years. When performed by a qualified, well-trained technician, the procedure is well tolerated with no downtime and a very low incidence of side effects. However, it is not as simple as it sounds – and as with many things in life – it is a Buyer Beware purchase. If you are a typical individual with limited or no know-ledge of lasers there are many things to consider prior to deciding where you trust to go for your treatments. There are some important points to consider prior to making your decision.

A successful outcome depends on many factors including:

Are you a good candidate based on your skin type and hair color?

This is determined by the laser technician.

For example, if you have white or gray hair, regardless of the quality of the laser or their claims, you cannot expect hair reduction. Therefore, be careful of clinics that advertise laser hair removal for ALL hair colors or skin types.

Also, if you have dark skin, only certain lasers are safe or technologically advanced enough to remove your hair. You need to be cautious that you are being treated with a laser suited to your skin type. Not ALL lasers can treat ALL skin types. Some lasers are actually 2 types of laser in one unit, and as such, can treat all skin types. Treatment with the wrong laser or the incorrect settings can easily result in burns, scaring, blisters and/or extreme pain.

Are you actually being treated with a laser?

Many clinics use potentially inferior technology including IPL (intense pulse light) or RF (radiofrequency); but nevertheless advertise themselves as laser clinics; because informed consumers have done their homework and know that only a laser can give the results of permanent hair removal, and is recognized as the “gold standard” for hair removal.

This technology talk is all very confusing to most people so here are some simple guidelines to keep in mind:

Does the clinic have a full time Medical Director (M.D.) on staff in the event of a problem or complication?

Many free standing laser clinics do not (as they are not required to by law) and in the event of a side effect you may be sitting in an emergency room for hours rather than having access to a physician at your convenience either in person or over the phone.

Is the clinic able and willing to provide you with references or before and after pictures from their clients?

You may want to speak to clients who have had their treatments several years prior so that they can verify that there was no return of the hair after a reasonable period of time. With some types of laser technology the hair will return after a few years but finer than before, which makes it even more difficult to remove. A reference from a satisfied client speaks volumes in regards to the quality of the clinic and their treatments.

Are they willing to give you the name and model of their laser (if in fact it really is a laser) so that you can do some of your own research?

For example, if they only have a 1064 Yag laser and you are a skin type 2, then it is clearly not the preferred laser.  Do your homework on the laser the clinic uses.

There are many forums on the internet with discussions about laser hair removal successes and sadness. Research the laser and the clinic and you can’t go wrong.

What type of assurances are they willing to provide in the event you still have some hair growth following the recommended number of treatments?

Many clinics come with a one year guarantee, which shows that the owners and management stand up for their lasers and more importantly, their technicians.

These are just some of the key points to consider. I hope that I have been able to shed light on the subject of laser hair removal. I welcome the opportunity to answer any additional questions or concerns you may have once doing your research.