While laser hair removal is the most preferred method to eliminate unwanted or excessive hair, this process has only been available since the 1960s.
Of course, the technology was initially crude, producing somewhat favorable results but also causing damage to skin surrounding the area treated. Laser hair removal has come a long way where today, multiple options exist, each highly effective but also safe.
Even though this is a favorite method, people still want to know, does laser hair removal work? Any time a new technology is introduced to the public and especially when that technology undergoes frequent change, people become a little unnerved. To some individuals, an ever-changing technology means something must be wrong with effectiveness and/or safety.
In truth, frequent updates to laser treatment are the result of research and studies whereby improvements to an already great method of hair removal are revealed. This does not mean prior laser treatments are bad but that even better solutions are becoming available. Since there remain many people wanting to know does laser hair removal work, we felt it important to offer information that would clear up any misgivings.
Does Laser Hair Removal Work – An Efficacy Report
To begin, the Massachusetts General Hospital wrote one of the first articles available to the public in 1998 in which the efficacy of laser hair removal was addressed. This report showed that when the appropriate type of laser device is used for the intended purpose and the procedure performed by a professional with necessary education, training, and experience, laser hair removal is in fact a highly efficient and safe solution.
In fact, information in response to the question of does laser hair removal work shows that along with positive outcome for treatments performed by a professional doctor, dermatologist, or esthetician, many home devices are also efficient and safe. The key to achieving the outcome wanted comes down to the person that would use the laser device to eliminated unwanted hair, along with understanding key factors of this treatment to include those listed below.
Matching Laser Device to an Individual
With so many different laser devices in operation today, virtually anyone could benefit from this method of hair removal. Of course, there are always exceptions to every rule. For instance, someone with white or extremely light blonde hair would likely not be a good candidate for this particular treatment. Therefore, when asking does laser hair removal work, the answer is in the majority of cases but not always.
The reason this type of person would not see desired results is that the laser light needs to be able to distinguish hair from skin. For example, a light-skinned person with dark hair would make the perfect candidate in that the laser light could easily see the hair, telling it apart from the skin. However, if a person had white or extremely blonde hair, identifying hair from skin would be nearly impossible.
For this reason, the professional would have the ability to choose the appropriate wavelength of light, as well as duration of pulse to match each person’s need. With this, only the targeted area of hair would be targeted while surrounding skin would be spared. This makes it possible for hair follicles to be killed but no damage done to the skin.
Understanding “Permanent” Laser hair Removal
Because level of efficacy and safety is so high, the number of people choosing to have laser hair removal performed has skyrocketed. Now, in regard to the question of does laser hair removal work for permanent results, the answer is actually no. The Food and Drug Administration or FDA defined this term not as being permanent for the elimination of hair with a laser device but as total number of hairs being permanently reduced.
The misconception is that with laser hair removal, the area involved would become completely void of hair and on a permanent basis. However, this is not the case. Keep in mind the results are still much the same but it is important for anyone considering this method of hair removal to understand the way it really works. As stated, with laser treatment, the number of hairs reduced would be significant and permanent. This is why men who use laser to eliminate scalp hair still need to shave on occasion.
Comparison with Other Hair Removal Treatments
Whether making a comparison to topical treatments, electrolysis, or IPL, laser hair removal has been proven to be the best choice. Although there are situations when a different type of hair removal would be deemed the better choice, in the majority of cases, laser is by far the best option.
For instance, a comparison of laser hair removal with electrolysis shows laser to be highly effective and as much as 60 times faster. In addition, laser is a more reliable method, which means achieving great results. The only difference is that electrolysis does offer genuinely permanent results but because of the other benefits associated with laser and the fact that the amount of hair is dramatically reduced, laser remains the preferred method by professionals. So when considering does laser hair removal work, it is reasonable to to say yes for most people, but as always it is also possible that there will be exceptions to this generalization.
