Best laser for hair removal

The removal of unwanted hair is a task that most of us are very familiar with. We constantly seek new and easier ways to remove our unwanted hair, and with the use of lasers, it is now possible to significantly reduce its appearance. Laser hair removal is by no means a new process – it first became commercially available in the mid 1990s, however, for around 20 years previous to this, it was used on an experimental basis to treat patients with excessive amounts of hair.

Dermatology professionals now accept that laser hair removal is an efficient way to remove unwanted hair, and the procedure is available in clinics across the UK. In recent years, new laser products are also available to use at home – allowing people to permanently remove unwanted hair, thus avoiding ongoing shaving, or other removal methods.

In the following guide, we hope to address the different types of laser that are currently used to remove hair, and find out which of these methods is proving to be the most popular.

Advantages

• Quick and easy to use – no mess
• Longer periods of hair removal can be achieved
• No additional products are required
• Usually a painless procedure

Disadvantages

• Can be expensive
• Not always suitable for sensitive skin
• May need several treatments for optimal effect

How laser hair removal works

Laser hair removal uses a process called photothermolysis (SPTL). This is the use of co-ordinated wavelengths of light and pulses in order to target specific areas of tissue, without causing damage to the surrounding areas. Lasers are able to treat very specific and localised areas of skin. They work by targeting the area that causes hair growth, the follicle, without heating up other areas of skin.

Light is naturally absorbed by dark areas or objects, therefore laser energy can be absorbed by dark areas in the skin, with very quick speed and intensity. Dark matter on the skin is often referred to as ‘chromophore’, and in the case of laser hair removal, the chromophore is menalin. Melanin is a natural occurrence in the skin – it gives our skin and hair its colour.

There are two forms of melanin in hair - eumelanin and pheomelanin. Eumelanin gives hair a brown or black colour, and pheomelanin gives hair a red or blonde colour. As lasers have a selective absorption of photons, generally speaking, only hair that is black or brown can be removed, and laser treatment will work better on darker, course hair. However, in recent years, new lasers have been developed that are also able to remove red and grey hair.

Laser treatment reduces the amount of hair re-growth - however, it’s important to note that in some cases, the hair will not be removed permanently. It should, however, remove a large amount of visible hair on a permanent basis. Laser hair removal has become very popular in recent times, due to its ease of use, speed and efficiency, though, certainly, the end result will be determined in some part by the skill and experience of the person operating the laser.

Laser treatment is generally an ongoing process, and touch-up sessions may be required, especially on larger areas of skin. The number of sessions required will differ, depending on the type of laser used, for example, at-home laser treatments may not be as powerful as those available in clinics, therefore a longer treatment plan may be recommended.

Laser hair removal types

There are a number of laser hair removal techniques, and the laser that is used will differ, depending on a number of factors i.e. whether or not the procedure is surgery-based, or available as a home unit.  The price will also differ, depending on the source, for example, a series of treatments in a medical clinic can cost around $500-$1000, whereas a home laser removal unit can be purchased for around $250-$350.

Home laser hair removal kits are relatively new on the market – they allow users to remove unwanted hair in the privacy of their own home. These kits generally target around 50-60 hairs at one time, and repeated treatments will be required to obtain the best possible result. Home kits use virtually the same technology as lasers available in clinics i.e. the use intense pulsed light (IPL) energy to remove hair and damage the hair follicle, ensuring that re-growth occurs much more slowly than usual.

The effectiveness of both the in-surgery and at-home methods is largely dictated by the individual, and the results that they require. It is however very important to check that any devices used are cleared by the FDA (Food and Drug Administration). Always read any documentation supplied with a home product, or ask for more information is you are having the procedure performed in a clinic.