If you have unwanted hair on your face or body that you endlessly have to remove by shaving, waxing or plucking, then you may want to consider a laser hair removal. While it used to be a procedure available only to rich and famous at the most prestigious New York and Beverly Hills salons, it is now possible to find a laser hair removal clinic in almost any local phone book.

Hair removal lasers have been in use since 1997 and the FDA approved it for “permanent hair reduction.” Both men and women seek laser hair removal services to have superfluous or unwanted hair removed. Keep reading to find out how much it’s going to hurt – your body AND your wallet, what are the chances the hair would grow back, where to have it done, and whether this procedure is for you.

How does laser hair removal work?

Laser hair removal treatment works by sending out laser light to the hair follicles and thus destroying the roots of the hair. Dermatologists use just a sufficient amount of laser light to destroy the hair follicles without really harming the surrounding tissues. Once the roots of the hair have been destroyed, the hair usually does not grow again. In some cases, when it does grow back again, it will finer than before.

Is it for you?

People who have very light colored skin and those with very dark colored skin are generally not qualified for this type of treatment. Light skin and dark hair are an ideal combination, but new lasers are now able to target dark hair in people with dark skin, and even light hair in people with dark skin.

What areas can be treated?

For women, the most common places on the body from which it is removed include legs, armpits, the chin, and above the lip. For men, it is most often removed from the back, chest, and arms. But it can be removed from virtually any part of the body, including abdomen, buttocks, pubic area, bikini lines, neck, cleavage, chest, hands, and toes.

If you want to ensure the blonde hairs are zapped, your better bet is electrolysis for permanent hair removal in these spots.

Is it effective?

Effectiveness of the treatment depends on the many factors, including the skill and experinece of professional doing the procedure, the equipment being used, and your complexion. Some lasers can destroy even the smallest follicle but they typically cost more. If you have darker skin, it is more difficult for the laser to detect the difference between your hair and your skin.

Due to the variables involved it is impossible to predict exactly what the results will be for any individual. Many reputable clinics avoid giving guarantees for this reason.

Is it truly permanent?

Laser hair removal is permanent, but not the first time you have it done. Most people will have to go back three-six times before it becomes permanent. Some will need touch-up treatments, especially on large areas, after the initial set of treatments.

Is it safe?

It is safe because the laser rays are passive and leave no residual rays in the body to become harmful (as opposed to x-rays). However if your complexion is dark, it does tend to cause scarring. That is why it is recommended having the doctor do a “test patch” in an area that can’t be seen and then determining if your skin reacts well.

What is the price?

It depends. Laser hair removal isn’t cheap at about $200-$600 per session depending on where you live and the areas being treated. Again, it takes about 3-6 sessions to get rid of 70% of hair permanently. Touch-ups are always an option at about $100-$150 a session.

Throughout the United States, the average cost for one laser treatment ranges between $400 and $450 per session. According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, the average price of the procedure is $429.

Will you feel any pain?

The procedure feels like a rubber band snapping skin. The pain isn’t unbearable at all, nothing like the pain of waxing. If you fear the pain, do not take aspirin, which can cause bruising. Instead, you may try som numbing cream, desensitizing spray with Lidocaine, or some ibuprofen.

Pick the right professional

Before going under the laser, do your research and find an established facility for your procedures. Many clinics advertise cheap and discounted procedures, however, when it comes to laser hair removal, you don’t want to cut costs. Along with your research, schedule a consultation to make sure your questions are answered, you feel comfortable with the technician and the procedure fits your needs.

Before laser and IPL devices entered the market, electrolysis was the only form of permanent or long-term hair removal available. Electrolysis is still performed today, but it is painful and invasive to the skin, allowing for a chance of infection. Unfortunately, this painstaking process is performed one hair follicle at a time. During the electrolysis procedure, a fine needle is inserted into the hair follicle, delivering a galvanic current to destruct the follicle stem cells. Regular maintenance procedures are often required for years after the initial treatment.

With laser and pulsed light technology, hundreds of hair follicles are treated at a time and vary upon the spot size (the size of the tip of the device delivering energy). These non-invasive hair removal procedures only take minutes to perform instead of the hours required with electrolysis.

What is Melanin?

The most important consideration prior to hair removal a procedure is the patient’s skin type and hair color. Laser hair removal is based on selective photothermolysis (using light and heat for destruction of a hair follicle) with melanin being the target chromophore (chemical grouping that produces color). The difference between the absorption of laser or light energy by melanin in the hair follicle and melanin in the epidermis determines the amount of energy that can be safely used without harming the skin.

Light skinned patients with dark hair are considered to be the ideal patients for hair removal On the other hand, a patient with very dark skin and gray or white hair, would have little if any response. Since melanin in the hair shaft and follicle are the target source for laser and IPL hair removal procedures, it is important for patients during their initial consultation not to tweeze, wax or use any depilatory device prior to hair removal. The patient can, however, shave the area to be treated (which preserves the chromophore in the follicle), or can use hair removal creams. Hair which is protruding from the skin can singe during a laser or light treatment which causes an unpleasant smell and possible flares.

Treatment Day

Most devices technically operate the same way when performing a laser hair removal procedure. The parameters on the equipment should be adjusted according to the history and skin analysis of the patient. The patient should be instructed to refrain from using any body washes, lotions, cosmetics, or any skin medications the day of treatment. Some patients may prefer to have a topical anesthetic applied prior to the procedure. If any residue of the anesthetic remains, it should be wiped clean from the skin. It is also important for patients to avoid dark clothing near the area to be treated as the dye in the clothing can be absorbed by the laser or light resulting in a painful burn. A patch test should be performed on the intended treatment area. Several monthly treatments are recommended for the best results and a yearly maintenance procedure is recommended.

Male baldness can prove to be a traumatic and disheartening experience for some. With some conditions taking men by surprise, various forms of alopecia can cause depression and lower self-esteem. But what are the psychological effects of male baldness?

Hair loss is commonly referred to as alopecia. There are a variety of different forms of alopecia, with each of the different strands of the disease carrying different symptoms and different severities. Alopecia in extreme cases can spread to all hair on the human body, where it is then known as alopecia universalis.

Checking the hairline is another important way of monitoring balding. A hairline working its way up to the crown is known as anterior recession. This is the second of the two main measurements of baldness recognised scientifically.

Androgenic alopecia is the medical term for common male-pattern baldness. The condition can usually lead to complete baldness, with hair principally thinning at the crown of the head. Scientists believe this form of alopecia to be a result of the combination of various genetic and environmental factors.

On average, 50 to 100 hairs are lost a day to be replenished by new hair. There are over 100,000 hairs attached to the scalp with the average lifespan of an individual hair between 5 and 7 years before replacement.

Total baldness seen in males is typically diagnosed as alopecia totalis. The condition’s cause has been recognised by doctors as an autoimmune disease, which are diseases caused by an overactive immune system. Stress is also recognised to account for a large majority of the cases of alopecia totalis seen.

A question to consider is: Do members of my family suffer from hair loss of baldness? If the answer is yes, the chances of you being affected by hair loss are increased. It is scientifically proven that hair loss can be passed on genetically from any member of your close family.

Confusion can arise when the person in question asks family and friends for their opinions, thoughts and advice. It is likely for everyone to have something different to say. This can worsen the uncertainty the person feels and can cause more upset.

Increases in dandruff or problems with your scalp could also be the onset of hair loss. Consider using dandruff-eliminating shampoo to see if the problem stops. Failing that, consult your doctor.

It is difficult for some people to discuss their problem properly. Sometimes, an individual can be their own worst enemy when it comes to thinking about a problem and can always jump to the worst conclusion. Talking to a doctor or a trusted figure can help a great deal.

It is believed that the hormone DHT establishes the beginning of the process of follicular miniaturisation. This indicates the transition from the pigmented, thick hairs normally seen in healthy hair to vellus hairs of which growth is not affected by hormones. The three types of hair seen on the skin are known as terminal, intermediate and vellus.

With all of these different types and causes of male baldness, there has been a requirement for a baldness classification system. In the 1950s, this was founded with the Hamilton Scale. After revision in the 1970s, the naming was changed to the Hamilton-Norwood Scale to account for the improvements made by the Dr O’Tar Norwood.

If you are beginning to notice that your head of hair is making an appearance on the Hamilton-Norwood scale, it may be time to take some action to stop hair loss if you are not quite ready to go bald yet. Despite most beliefs, there are a lot of things that can be done to replenish hair loss. Here are some of them.

For the past 30 years, more and more people have been turning to drug therapy to help them reverse the beginning signs of baldness. One of the most popular treatments is the prescription of antiandrogens, which reduces the contact of the sex hormone DHT with hair follicles. This stops hair follicles from being denatured and naturally producing pigments which keep hair strong and healthy.

Hair loss to an extent is normal. On average, people anything up to 100 hairs a day as part of their normal hair loss cycle, with hairs lost being replenished on a regular basis to allow a constant flow of fresh hair. It is when hair loss appears to be above average when action needs to be taken to stem the loss of hair back to normal.

Doing simple things to change your lifestyle can do a lot to prevent hair loss. If you follow nutritionist’s advice to begin with, it can make all of the difference. Having a balanced diet and eating everything in moderation allows you to get all of the vitamins and minerals you need to make sure that your hair follicles get all of the nutrients you need.

The scalp cannot produce enough moisture to replace the moisture we lose. Moisturising your scalp on a daily basis can replenish the moisture lost on a day-to-day basis and can be key to keeping your scalp healthy. There are a variety of moisturising scalp products available on the market for bald men.

If you are completely bald, shampoo does not usually need to be required and soap can prove to be a feasible alternative. It is always recommended that you use soaps that are aimed at people who have sensitive skin, as the scalp is unprotected. Be sure to use odourless soap if you decide to do this, and to gently massage your scalp and the surrounding areas as you would if you were washing your face.

Sometimes, stress can be unavoidable. Traumas such as a death or surgery can result in emotional stress. In these cases, taking care of your scalp by cleaning and massaging it regularly can improve your general hygiene, eliminate infection and reduce the chances of thinning hair.

If you are at stages 6 or 7 on the Hamilton-Norwood Scale, you will tend to have some hair remaining around the ear areas. To begin, try and shave with an unguarded hair clipper as much hair as possible to make shaving your whole head easier.

The key point of shaving your head is to shower fully beforehand. Applying pressure with a flannel can soften the hair as well as raise it which can make the process of shaving your head a lot easier. Making a habit of this can improve the quality of your shave immensely.

It is recommended that when your shave your head you apply shaving cream. Shaving carefully can allow you to go over the areas you need to only once, this is a good practice to adopt. Make sure the area that you shave in is also lighted properly, so you can see all of the angles of your head that you are trying to reach.

You should always obtain your doctor’s advice before embarking on any medical treatment to regain hair. Most drugs are only available through your doctor due to their strength, so always bear this in mind and try to avoid private clinics that ask for extortionate prices and sometimes make false promises. Your doctor knows you best and in most cases knows circumstances around your health better than anyone else.

There are a lot of doors open for people who wish to do something about their hair loss, whatever the stage they are at. Using common sense and having a look at all of the options available can help you to make the best informed decision based on your circumstances. Getting as many opinions as possible and weighing up the pros and cons can help you do this.

Male baldness can have its perks, with many people around the world finding being bald a great convenience. All the same, sometimes being bald can be an inconvenience for a number of reasons. This article takes a justified look at the pros and cons of male baldness.

How you care for your hair can affect hair loss. One of the biggest myths in the world of baldness folklore, the shampoo you use and how you use it has no influence on hair loss. However, it is recommended that you are gentle with your hair to prevent the chance of any permanent damage.

The health advantages are also clear. No hair means no dandruff and no embarrassment when you really need to look your best. Many men who have a full head of hair normally have to contend with the dilemma of white flakes on the back of their clothing when they decide to wear dark colours – a problem that bald men do not need to worry about.

The first stage on the Hamilton-Norwood Scale (referred to commonly as The Norwood Scale) can usually be treated quite easily due to the early detection. Options for improvement back to the original stage 1 can include vitamin supplements and certain medications available on prescription from your doctor.

Stage 3 continues the deterioration of the hair seen in stage 2. The recession seen on the hairline is gradually getting deeper, with hair on the crown thinning in a forward direction. The treatment options seen in stage 2 are still possible, however treatment regimes may be more intense.

Being bald is a distinguishing characteristic. In memory tests conducted by scientists, people surveyed were shown to have better memory of the facial features of bald men than those who had hair. The experiment concluded that having no hair made you more memorable.

Like a blank canvas, baldness can allow you to be experimental with your hair styles and to try out something new. For instance, there are a wide range of wigs available on the market suited to men of all different tastes. You can have the opportunity to try out something different without the inconvenience of trying to grow and maintain your hair.

From the penultimate stage 6, the anterior and vertex measurements join, as the severity of the baldness means that there are no defining points between the two. At this rate, medication is not recommended; however wigs and hats can prove viable options. A more surgical and permanent alternative can be hair cloning.

The cons to being bald mainly revolve around the weather. Hair can act as protection against the elements. The lack of hair can make bald men vulnerable to weather conditions.

Wearing tightly fitted hats and caps can increase the rate of hair loss. The worst that such headgear could do is damage hair follicles and the fact that hair follicles are replaced frequently in the hair replication cycle eliminates this worry. One piece of advice is to wash hats frequently, as dead cells found in unwashed hats can result in an unclean scalp, culminating in infection and resultant hair loss.

It is incredibly important to keep care of your head if you are bald during the summer months. If you like in hotter climates, it can be quite easy to be sunburned. It is important to make sure that you apply sunscreen regularly if you are outdoors during sunshine hours.

As you can see, the myths regarding baldness are many. The dates of these myths are difficult to determine, with some stemming back to ancient times. In the modern day and age, such perceptions are not regularly seen, probably due to the fact that hair loss and baldness is common.