If one wanted hair removal, he or she is faced with a lot of options: shaving, plucking, hot or cold waxing, hair removal creams and laser hair removal. Shaving, plucking, waxing and creams offer you a bit shorter period of time of being free from unwanted hair, not to mention the appearance of 'chicken-skin' and in-growth hair. Laser hair removal, though, offers you more advantages like having a soft, silky smooth, hair-free skin and breaking you free from unwanted hair - permanently. Although, there are a number of procedures that can be done to get rid of unwanted hair permanently, laser hair removal is one of the most effective. Researches show that those who have undergone laser hair removal have had limited to nonexistent growth.

Laser hair removal procedure utilizes a beam of light which passes through the skin. This beam targets the melanin, the dark pigmentation of the skin and the hair shaft. The beam seeps through the deep part of the skin to the hair follicle thus destroying the hair follicle. Removal of hair by using the laser should immediately retard the growth of hair but it needs a few follow-up treatments to finally stop the growth of hair.

Laser hair removal treatments vary for every individual. Darker-skinned individuals are rather difficult to treat than lighter-skinned ones. This is because of the amount of melanin present in dark skin toned individuals. There are also different kinds of lasers for each and every specific area of the body to be treated with laser hair removal. Follow-up treatments for optimum laser hair removal treatment should be very well maintained. These treatments may be further and further apart depending on the response of the individual to the treatment.

Laser hair removal may be effective or may cause damage to an individual. This is the reason why one should be very careful in choosing a clinic or a spa to service you with the procedure. This procedure should be done without causing any damage to the skin's surface of the individual being treated, thus one should be very wary on whom to choose to have the procedure performed on oneself.

Individuals with blonde hair should be a bit choosier and cautious with regards to laser hair removal treatments. With the old laser hair removal treatment system, gray, blond or re-haired patients need to have 1 to 3 month intervals on their follow-up treatment to benefit much from the procedure. The new laser hair removal treatment systems though; like the "Epilight", which offers more treatment possibilities with the range and precision of light wavelengths; and the "Elos", which is the combination of the laser technology and the use of radio waves. Pre-laser treatments of blonde hair may also be done to optimize the results of laser hair removal on blonde hairs, this treatment is called "Meladine". Meladine comes from compounds present in the ink of marine squid. It enhances the natural melatonin in hair follicles.

In addition, for expectant mothers, no studies have been made to prove how the laser light used in laser hair removal affects the fetus but Obstetricians opts to advice pregnant women to do away with the treatment. Waxing or electrolysis may be considered as an option for hair removal treatments.