Facial hair laser hair removal

Thousands of people are embarrassed by their unsightly facial hair. For most women, facial hair is unwanted and difficult to cope with because it can cause rough, dry skin. There are millions of skin products promoting soft, silky skin for women, but only laser hair removal can truly help them remove the unwanted hair and produce soft skin. Several people resort to tweezing, waxing, shaving, and bleaching facial hair to conceal it from others. Any of these processes repeated on a consistent basis can lead to dry skin or other permanent damage to the skin.

At several laser hair removal facilities across the United States, one of the most popular procedures is facial hair removal. The upper lip and chin remain the most popular areas to be treated on the face. Facial hair removal doesn't take as long as other procedures and most patients can be done within 10 minutes. Before going in for a laser hair removal treatment, a medical doctor needs to determine that the unwanted hair is not coming from a hormonal imbalance. One common problem women face with the removal of facial hair is the possibility that it will grow back darker. Repeated tweezing to remove the hairs will eventually cause irritation to the hair follicle and can result in scarring.

Shaving the hair is similar to plucking, it will only last for a few days and it will grow back darker. For men, unwanted facial hair can grow back within a few hours. Patients with light skin and dark hair are more likely to achieve success through laser hair removal. Light blonde or "peach fuzz" white hair generally doesn't not respond to laser hair removal. For females, the natural hair that covers the face will worsen as they age. The skin becomes older and the facial hair converts from the invisible hair (vellus hair) to the terminal hairs which are larger. Men experience this change with the hair in their ears.

One of the largest advantages of laser hair removal is the ability to prevent irritation to the skin from ingrown hairs, commonly known as "razor bumps". Males often experience razor bumps after shaving their coarse facial hair. Razor bumps are small, red bumps that become inflamed and painful.

Besides tweezing and waxing, hair removal creams are another popular method used to remove unwanted facial hair. Nair is one of the most common hair removal creams on the market. Like other creams, Nair uses special chemicals and formulas to dissolve the hair at the base of the follicle. Nair is not recommended for the face because it is known to cause irritation and it doesn't always remove all of the hair. Nair and other depilatory creams only last for a week or two, and they only work when the hair is longer. Short hair (like the re-growth of shaved hair) generally won't respond to the cream.

Laser hair removal is the answer for several people. Depending upon the area you are having treated on the face, the average cost is about $250 - $600. Laser hair removal involves using a laser to "burn" off the unwanted hair. The laser will pass through the skin and penetrate the hair follicle, stunting its growth and causing it to go a recessed state. The laser specifically targets the melanin (the dark pigment) and essentially burns the hair follicle instantly. The hair follicle will re-grow, but the hair will fall out within a few days. In order for the laser hair treatments to completely remove the unwanted hair, the patient will need to have several treatments. The fine facial hair generally requires more treatments because it is thinner, and lighter.

Even though the cost to have laser hair removal is more expensive, it will pay off in the long run. Patients using Nair or waxing services to remove their facial hair will find laser hair removal the perfect solution for their unwanted problem. Laser hair removal is relatively pain-free, feeling like a slight pinch or sting. For each hair follicle that is targeted, the patient will feel the mild pinch for only a few seconds. After the procedure is completed, cream will be applied to the skin and it will be covered in an ice pack for 10 minutes. The skin will appear red for a few minutes to a few hours after the procedure is completed. Most patients do not need pain killers, although doctors do recommend taking ibuprofen to take the "edge" off the pinching feeling. Patients will not need to apply cream or lotions to the area after the procedure, but some patients choose to apply aloe to the area to keep the skin moist.

Before you head out to the first laser hair removal office you see, you must know a few things about the facility. A poor technician can make you wind up with scars and spots on the skin. Not all laser hair removal facilities are the same. Each facility should have a medical doctor in the office to oversee the procedure. Most clinics will have a medical doctor perform the procedure while others may have certified technicians or registered nurses.

Ask about any specials or offers the office may be offering when you are shopping around. Most offices will offer a free consultation and will answer all your questions about laser hair removal at the consultation. Always make sure the consultation is free before you set up the appointment. The consultation normally lasts a few minutes and you will be shown pictures of former patient's laser hair removal success. Make sure to ask about your needs during the consultation. Patients with darker skin need a different laser from the patients with lighter skin.

An easy way to check-up on the facility is to check the Better Business Bureau and online opinion web sites to see if there are any complaints or lawsuits against the company. Most of the satisfied customers will not post reviews, so make sure you take that into consideration when you are selecting the laser hair removal office. The price can easily be a deciding factor for most people. If you opt to choose the salon with the best price, you may be sacrificing quality. A trained laser hair removal doctor will have professional experience and may be able to reduce the number of visits you normally would have. Some offices use low-frequency lasers, causing the patient to return for more visits, thereby costing you more money than you would have paid at the more expensive salon.

It is important to trust the doctor or laser hair removal technician. Since you are removing unwanted facial hair, you do not want to gain scars or spots in return. If you feel uncomfortable with any of the staff members or with the doctor, you should request different staff members to assist you in the procedure, or seek out a new office. Always read through the paperwork you are signing. Several people have been shocked to find out the first two treatments were on a discount and the last 6 procedures were more expensive. Make sure you sign an agreement that is set in stone with the price you agreed upon. Some clinics will offer payment plans for their patients that do not have the money up-front. Always read the fine print of the contract and check for any legal damages you may be awarded if there is a significant problem with your treatment.

Every patient will need to receive multiple treatments for their facial laser hair removal treatment. After 3 treatments, you should expect to see a 50 to 70 percent reduction in facial hair. The only areas that cannot be treated with laser hair are the eyebrows and the area between the eyes. The laser can easily penetrate the eye and cause blindness. Every patient must wear protective eyewear when they are receiving laser hair removal. Laser hair removal has minimal risks and most patients do not experience side effects. Some of the side effects include the following:

•     Redness
•     Soreness
•     Bleeding
•     Re-growth of hair after the final treatment
•     Darkening or lightening of the skin
•     Blistering
•     Scarring
•     Scabbing
•     Crusting

In order to be a candidate for laser hair removal, you must meet with a medical doctor and discuss your medical history. Your unwanted hair growth may be due to a chemical imbalance that can be treated with medications. If you are eligible for laser hair removal, the doctor will take a few photographs of the area before the treatments begin to help them assess the area that is being treated. After the procedure is complete, the doctor will take new pictures to assess the area and make sure all the hair has been removed.

If you are unhappy with your laser hair removal, contact your doctor to have it evaluated. Some hair that is re-growing will fall out within a few days, and most patients are able to pull it out with their fingers. Avoid touching the skin right after the treatment, as it is slightly irritated from the procedure.