Laser Epilation at Home for Mens
Laser hair removal is most commonly used for unwanted hair in the following places:
- the face
- the armpits and bikini line
- legs
- forearms
Laser hair removal has become very effective in the past ten years. Often the preferred method of hair removal now, it’s safe, effective, and more permanent than any other method such as waxing, plucking, shaving, and electrolysis. Also, prices are pretty reasonable in most communities. The easiest person to treat for laser hair removal has darker hair on lighter skin. But there are now lasers (the Nd:YAG) that do a good job with dark hair on dark skin.
It still does not work well for grey hair, fine blond hair, or women with hormonal problems such as polycystic ovaries disease. Also, if you just have a few, coarse hairs on your chin, a good electrolysist will be more cost effective.
How does laser hair removal work?
The laser emits a very specific beam of light at a wavelength that is targeted at melanin in the hair and/or at the follicle growth center (called the hair bulb). Melanin is the material that gives color to our hair and skin. The laser beam passes through the skin and is absorbed by the melanin in the hair follicle.
Therefore, the ideal candidate for this procedure has hair that is darker than her skin color. If the skin and hair color are too similar, it confuses some lasers.
Darker skin needs “long-wave” hair-removal lasers like the YAG laser. They are safer if you have darker skin because they won’t “burn” the skin trying to get rid of the hair.
Why do I need a series of treatments?
At any given time, a certain percentage of hairs are in the “resting” phase, rather than a growth phase. The laser will not be effective on those resting hairs, which is why, on average, five treatments are necessary in each area to achieve maximum results.
More treatments can be done as soon as further hair growth appears. Due to the variation in the number of hairs in the resting phase, certain parts of the body will respond more rapidly whereas others might take much longer to show effects. For example, the face usually responds more slowly than the bikini line.
How much does laser hair removal cost?
A single treatment of the lip and chin area costs around $200-400, with a series of 5 costing about $1, 000-2, 000 depending on how much hair there is.
But remember that single treatments will not be effective. You need a series of about 5 treatments in order to reach all hairs in their various growth phases.
A single treatment of the bikini or the underarm is about $200-400, with a series of 5 treatments costing about $1, 000-2, 000 depending on how much hair and whether the upper thighs are included.
Larger areas like a back cost more. Maintenance treatments are usually less expensive.
Do the treatments hurt, and how long will they take?
There may be mild discomfort during the treatment, but most patients tolerate laser hair removal very easily.
For discomfort during your treatment, some laser centers will provide you with a topical numbing cream which you can apply before a treatment. If you are using the cream yourself, never apply numbing cream under saran wrap and never apply it to to an area larger than your hand.
Some laser centers will use a cooling machine (Zimmer cooler) during the treatment to make the experience more comfortable. Treatments can take from minutes to hours, depending on the size of the treatment area.
How many treatments will I need?
After three to seven treatments initially, most women and men report that their expectations have been met and the hair growth pattern is much, much less. In some areas, in addition to the decrease in the number of hairs, the hairs become very fine and light in color.
No laser clinic should claim that all of the hairs will be permanently eradicated. Most patients will need a touch-up 1-4 times a year to maintain the improvement.
Expect to need more treatments if you have any history of irregular periods, polycystic ovary disease, gray or white hairs, or a family history of excessive hair.
About 5 percent of patients are resistant to any type of hair removal laser. It is very important to have a realistic expectation regarding individual results of hair removal. No hair-removal system anywhere is “permanent.”
