Laser hair removal is a procedure in which a laser emits a light that destroys hair follicles. It is a great way to remove those pesky hairs that keep popping up. Multiple treatments may be required in order for the follicles to be destroyed completely. There are a variety of lasers available, each suited best for specific types of complexions. The cost of laser hair removal varies, but an average session costs $285. Professionals use laser hair removal to get rid of unwanted facial and body hair safely and effectively. This procedure is a long-term form of hair removal that damages or destroys hair follicles. It can significantly reduce the amount of body hair a person has. In most people, some hair will eventually regrow over time. Even when the hair regrows, there will be less hair overall, producing a smoother appearance.

During laser hair removal, a laser emits a light that is used to target the pigment in individual hairs. The light energy is converted into heat, which damages the tube-shaped sacs within the skin that produce hair. This damage stops or delays future hair growth. Hair follows a growth pattern that involves periods of resting, shedding, and growing. Hair that has been recently removed and is in the resting period will not be visible to the laser so a person will have to wait until it regrows to remove it, which is why you should not wax or pluck the hair before your laser hair removal treatment..

When the laser hair removal treatment destroys the hair follicle, the removal is permanent as hair can no longer grow from it. If the hair follicle is only damaged, your hair will eventually regrow. Because of this, laser hair removal is said to be a long-term form of hair removal instead of permanent. In order for the procedure to be permanent, multiple treatment sessions are required. Some people’s hair will grow faster than others. The amount of time it takes for the hair to regrow depends on the person’s unique hair growth cycle. The majority of people can expect to see hair regrowth within a few months. If this happens, they can follow up with more hair removal treatments.

Hair removal is proven to work best on individuals with light complexions and darker hair because the pigment contrast makes it easier for the laser to target the hair and destroy the follicle. People with darker skin or lighter hair may need more treatments than others and will often find that more hair will grow back. Technicians must know how to target the hair and what laser should be used depending on the individual’s complexion.

There is a wide variety of hair removal lasers and light source devices available on the market today. The main difference is the wavelength of light these devices produce. Some of the most commonly used lasers are:

• Alexandrite - The Alexandrite laser has a wavelength of about 755nm and is considered a gold standard in laser hair removal. This laser is safe and very effective on lighter skin type from 1-3.
• Nd:YAG - The Nd:YAG laser, with a wavelength of 1064nm, is also considered to be a gold standard in laser hair removal, along with the Alexandrite laser. This laser can be used on all skin types from 1 through 6, including tanned skin.
• Diode - The Diode laser has 800nm and provides strong competition to the Alexandrite and Nd:YAG lasers. However, this type of laser generally causes more discomfort during treatment and can cause more complications for people with darker skin types or tanned skin
• Ruby - The Ruby laser has a shorter wavelength, around 694nm. It was a popular laser to use in the past but have since been replaced with more effective and efficient equipment, such as Alexandrite and Nd:YAG.
• Intense Pulse Light (IPL) - Different from the lasers described above, IPL is a non-laser light source device. It uses flash lamps to produce a broad spectrum light, which is then filtered through special filters to deliver wavelengths in a specific range.

Most of the time laser hair removal is a cosmetic procedure. Because of this, insurance is unlikely to cover it. Most individuals will require multiple hair removal sessions so they should speak to their treatment provider about how many sessions they will need so they can work out the overall cost. Laser hair removal costs can vary widely. Pricing may be based on the expertise and qualifications of the person performing the procedure, the type of procedure used, the time and effort the procedure requires, and the geographic location of the office. According to 2018 statistics from the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, the average cost of a hair removal session is $285. This average cost does not include other related expenses.