I just want to wake up, shower, brush and go. I want a clean shave, too, except I just do not want to go through the process. If you are like me you probably hate shaving daily because it can be a pain (literally) and time consuming.
This makes any alternative that allows me, and probably you, to skip shaving and still have smooth skin very attractive. To save us both time, I’ve done quite a bit of research and have come to the conclusion that laser treatment is an option that can help us with this problem. Here are a few things to consider:
Is Laser Hair Removal Permanent?
Unfortunately, according to the FDA, the answer is no. Although, laser technology is still changing and there are different lasers that make some more “permanent” than others.
I know you were probably hoping the answer was going to be yes. Do not worry, though. I mean, it is still better than shaving nearly daily and a better alternative to electrolysis ( FDA’s only approved PERMANENT hair removal treatment) if you, like me, do not want to go through a long and sometimes painful procedure.
Laser treatment is more of a hair reducer than an actual means of removing hair permanently. It essentially works like this: some of the follicles treated will be damaged by the lasers but not totally destroyed during the process. This in turn allows the hair to grow back slowly, so slowly that some follicles may take years to regrow. Better than shaving every day, right?
Is Laser Hair Removal Safe?
As with most things in life, there are some possible side effects when going this route. Most commonly, some redness and swelling may occur after you have laser hair procedures. Typically, these effects go away not long after the treatment or up to a few hours in my case.
I have never seen anyone burned, scarred, or blistered from laser treatment, but you should ask your doctor about these possibilities. It is a laser after all!
Pigment changes can occur as you may notice some darkening or lightening of the skin the treatment. Your skin type and the laser used are usually the causes of pigment changes, so it’s a good idea to take them into consideration when going under the laser so you’re prepared for the after effects. Luckily, any pigment changes you experience are usually temporary and your skin will bounce right back to its usual complexion.
Laser Hair Removal Cost
The cost of laser hair removal is largely influenced by the size of the treatment area. Treating a smaller area of the body will cost less ($200-$500 per session) than treating larger areas of the body such as the back or legs ($500-$1000 per session). The U.S. national average cost per session is $329.
The specific location providing the service also influences the cost for laser treatment, so shopping around is a good idea if you are looking for the best deal. Most places offer financing packages, though, because multiple sessions is often necessary and the final cost can get high.
Sorry to say, if you were wondering, most insurances do not help cover these costs as hair removal is usually cosmetic and thus an elective procedure. There are some other options to consider if you are trying to keep costs as low as you can, so don’t get discouraged just yet.
Laser Hair Removal At Home
This is probably the best option for the person who wants to reduce the amount of time he or she spends on shaving and needs to get it done on a budget. There are hundreds of options as far as at home laser hair machines go, which can make selecting the right one for you a little tricky.
Of course, some are better than others and weeding through all the hype is crucial to truly determine the quality of the machine.
Your best bet is to research, read reviews and ask the opinions of anyone you know who owns one in an effort to make the best decision for yourself.
