Unsightly stubble, ingrown hair, shave bumps, and pain - where there is hair, there is a problem removing it. Depilation is a huge industry, from razors to bleaches to clinical treatments. Millions of treatments and millions of dollars are spent yearly trying to get rid of unwanted hair. But if shaving, waxing, tweezing, and electrolysis aren't the answer, what is?

There are two progressive options:Lasers. Laser hair removal, approved by the FDA in 1995, uses laser bursts to penetrate beneath the skin and damage hair follicles so that hair doesn't re-grow. The lasers are attracted to the color in the hair follicle and leaves the skin around it undamaged.

Old ruby lasers weren't good for people with dark skin since they were shallow, interacting with the surface of the skin and being attracted to the skin pigment as well as the hair; people with light hair (red, gray, or blond) may not respond to that kind of treatment, either. Modern diode lasers penetrate beneath the skin to the follicle, rather than skin pigments, making it more effective for a broader range of skin/hair types.Intense pulsed light with radio frequency (RF). The next generation of hair removal uses pulses of light energy alternating with radio frequency. Like laser hair removal, the light is attracted to the hair follicle; the RF, which is a stronger energy source but not as targeted, follows the course of the light and neutralizes the follicle.

Intense pulsed light devices are not lasers; they magnify light using filters which block unwanted wavelengths. Intense pulsed light alone can cause pain; but pulsed light alternated with RF is safer, along with being more effective.Both diode lasers and intense pulsed light with RF work on facial hair as well as body hair - so smooth skin anywhere is easy to achieve.

The Consultation

Any good laser center tailors the treatment regimen to the patient's specific needs. There are several factors which affect the machine settings, number of treatments, and best kind of treatment:Hair type. How quickly the hair grows, the texture, and the color.Skin type. Along with skin color, skin sun sensitivity or whether the person sunburns easily.Medical conditions which cause sensitivity to light like lupus, medications like antibiotics or beta carotene, seizure disorders, pregnancy, and pacemakers.There are also things for the patient to do that can increase the effectiveness of the treatment.Shave before the treatment; the light reaches the follicle better.Do not use lotions, perfumes, or cosmetics beforehand; these react with the light and can cause skin irritation. Don't tan for at least four weeks in advance. Newly tanned skin diverts the laser light, reducing the treatment's safety. Moisturize and drink plenty of water before and after treatments. Healthy skin preserves the great appearance of the skin after the treatment.

The Procedure

A small instrument is moved over the target area, causing a slight warming sensation; any discomfort is like a gentle brief pinch. Underarms take about ten minutes; legs can take as long as two hours.

Hair grows in cycles, and not all follicles are active at the same time. Laser and pulsed light/RF treatments target only active hair follicles, so repeat visits are required to eliminate hair completely; the normally recommended number is six*, with seven to thirteen weeks between each session.

Location, Location, Location

Be proactive when finding the right laser hair removal treatment center, and ask questions before signing up for treatment:How many treatments has the center performed? Ask for references.What kind of training do the technicians have? Good treatment centers ensure their employees are specially trained in these treatments. What kind of equipment do they use? Make sure the equipment is current. Even machines two years old can be too far behind current technology. Can the center provide long term service? Facial hair has an active cycle of seven to eleven weeks; leg hair, as long as seventeen weeks. The full treatment process can be over a year, so the center should provide assurances it will still be around. Do they offer a guarantee? The laser center should offer a guarantee of their work - but watch for centers that may charge for that guarantee. *Depending on hair and skin color, some persons may require additional sessions.