admin Ridding our bodies of unwanted or unsightly hair can seem a ceaseless endeavor—but laser hair removal helps to make the process more permanent. While the procedure is by no means an instant cure-all for any and all hair, when employed repeatedly on certain areas of the body, lasers can result in lighter, reduced, and more manageable hair.
“Those seeking laser hair removal should go to a licensed pro with a degree on the wall,” says New York City dermatologist Francesca Fusco, M.D., who recommends a dermatologist, aesthetician, or “someone who is trained by the laser company to handle the machine.” (The treatment can burn or otherwise damage skin when executed incorrectly, so take heed of this advice.) Laseers should also expect several sessions, and price points ranging from $150 to $700 per appointment, depending on the area in question.
Whether you’re after a bikini line that’s forever beach-ready, the obliteration of unwanted facial hair, or impossibly, enduringly smooth legs, laser treatments may be the ultimate solution to all of your hair woes.
Seeking silky skin? Read on for everything you need to know about laser hair removal.
What Is Laser Hair Removal?
As the name suggests, laser hair removal is the vaporization of unwanted hair via specialized lasers employed repeatedly over time. Unlike shaving, which shears hair above the skin, or plucking or waxing, each of which pulls hair up by the root, lasers work to remove hair permanently by targeting the shaft and follicle, reducing melanin and inhibiting growth. However, not all lasers are created equal. There are various kinds, including diode, alexandrite, and Nd:YAG.
“The diode laser is the Mercedes-Benz of all lasers,” says Fusco. “It has a pneumatic head on the device which sucks up the skin and the hair follicle to target the hair more efficiently.” Alexandrite is a good option for those with darker skin tones: “If you have darker skin, you run the risk of getting post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation,” she says. “This laser is safe because it provides the heat needed to disable the follicle but because it comes across through an alexandrite crystal, the wavelength beam of light is less likely to cause pigmentation post-treatment.” The Nd:YAG laser “doesn’t generate a ton of heat so it’s good for small areas like the chin and upper lip,” Fusco says. “However, this method takes longer to achieve results and they’re not always permanent.”
