If you are interested in learning about laser hair removal, you’ve come to the right spot.  Laser hair removal is really gaining in popularity in recent years.  There was a time when it was mainly reserved for the upper class.  This was primarily due to the fact that it was so darn expensive.  The well-to-do were really the only ones who could afford it.  Now days laser hair removal is performed on people from all walks of life.

Another recent change is that more and more men are now undergoing the procedure. Male laser hair removal is really gaining in popularity these days.  Men usually undergo the procedure for facial, chest, and back hair removal.

Now, without further delay, let’s have a closer look at the laser hair removal process.  Surprisingly enough, laser hair removal first became accepted as a legitimate form of hair removal in the 1970′s.  It was still relatively obscure back then and the tools were a bit rudimentary compared to today’s standards.

There are two forms of light based hair removal that are often confused.  The first is laser hair removal that which uses specially calibrated lasers to remove hair and the second is IPL or intense pulsed light hair removal that uses a super intense broad spectrum light for hair removal.  Laser hair removal uses light that is focused at one particular wavelength and IPL uses multiple wavelengths of light.  Both are light based hair removal methods and although not correct, they are often both referred to as laser hair removal.

Laser hair removal works by what is called selective photothermolysis (SPTL).  In laymans terms, this simply means that specialized lasers can selective cause damage by heating the melanin in the hair follicle  (the part that is responsible for hair growth) without causing damage to other parts of the skin.  This works because lasers are a form of light and light is easily absorbed by dark things.  The melanin in the hair follicle is darker than the surrounding skin so it absorbs the most light. Melanin is the chemical in the skin that gives it color.

Laser hair removal works best on light skinned patients with dark hair.  That’s not to say that it doesn’t work on other people as well.  This is just the best combination for optimal results.

The design of lasers that are used for laser hair removal today were originally designed in 1997.  They are considered safe and effective for “permanent hair reduction” by the FDA.  You’ll notice that they use the term “permanent hair reduction”.  This basically means that the number of hairs that regrow after treatment is less than the number of hairs that normally grow.

Most people who undergo the therapy go in to the clinic for the procedure and come out without any hair on the treated area.  Unlike shaving where the hairs quickly grow back, the hairs treated with the lasers take a long time to grow back.   It’s common for clients to go in for several treatments.  With each treatment, fewer and fewer hairs regrow.   It’s not uncommon for people to have to go back in for “touch ups” if there is a particular area where the hair is regrowing.

photo credit: Vancouver Laser & Skincare Centre

Thanks for visiting my website on facial hair removal!  Perhaps you would be interested in reading this article on laser hair removal prices.

Click here for Part 2 of this article on laser hair removal…