The Laser Razor
November 29th 2009 -
Hey Guys Lets Learn from the Ladies
Women have explored and enjoyed the benefits of laser hair removal for many years now. They know the advantages and disadvantages of all types of hair removal. They know the joy of not having to worry about unwanted hair popping out at the wrong place and time, they know the time freedom created by never worrying about having to take time out of their busy lifestyles to shave, pluck, tweeze, wax, thread or apply lotions and potions. Well guys once again its time to learn from the girls! Laser hair removal is not just for ladies anymore. Although, traditionally the men who would remove hair from their bodies were usually athletes such as swimmers and bodybuilders, hair removal has become an increasingly popular cosmetic procedure for men of all ages. Now commonly referred to as manscaping, hair removal for men is an extremely popular aesthetic service. Whether you want a cleaner look or feel, or you are just yielding to the desires of your significant other there are several traditional and newer options to consider that can meet your needs. Though each person’s needs are different the most common areas for hair removal are the chest, the back and the unibrow. With the techniques available today if there’s hair anywhere it doesn’t have to be there!
Some of the most traditional methods of hair removal for men are the same as women, let’s look a t a few of the most common.
- Shaving – time consuming, short term results.
- Plucking/Tweezing – small areas only (brow), painful, short term results.
- Waxing – extremely painful, short term results.
- Threading – small areas (lip, brow), some pain, short term results.
- Depilatories – lots of work, time consuming, smelly, short term results.
- Electrolysis – some pain, expensive, multiple visits, may require years for large areas.
In this day and age of technology and high tech treatments laser hair removal stands out as the real logical choice for the most people, particularly the guys.
The use of laser for hair removal has been around for greater than a decade. The technology has continued to improve making it more available (more skin types and hair types), safer and more affordable. Remember that laser hair removal units that are truly efficacious are medical grade devices that require an experienced technician working under a physician’s supervision. Laser hair removal works by targeting the melanin (the dark pigment that gives hair its color). The hair root (or follicle) contains the most melanin. The intense energy produced by the laser is absorbed by the melanin in the root. This energy then destroys the root preventing further hair growth in this area. After each session you will see a change in the hair growth. The hair will either take longer to grow back, it will be finer (less course) or you might even see patches where there is no hair at all. Laser hair removal does not work on white hair, blond hair as there is hardly any melanin in the follicle. It is hit or miss with red heads depending on the amount of melanin and the type of machine used to treat. The best candidate for laser hair removal is someone with dark hair and light skin. The darker the skin (or the higher the skin type) the more difficult the removal becomes as the lasers energy is absorbed by the melanin present in darker skin types. The choice of an experienced office, newer equipment and experienced technician is most important in darker skin clients as skin injuries and burns with permanent scarring are possible. The hair can be most effectively removed only while it is in it’s active growth phase (anagen). Since only about 20% of hair is in the anagen phase at anytime it usually takes 5-6 sessions to complete a treatment. Depending on the areas being treated sessions are separated of intervals from 6-8 weeks.
There is some level of pain associated with each treatment. Topical anesthetic agents may be used along with analgesics such as acetaminophen and ibuprofen. As the hair thins out with each treatment the discomfort level seems to decrease as there is less laser energy being absorbed. In general the results are excellent. In studies done at Harvard, using good technique with good machines set correctly in the correct candidates the overall results yielded an 89% permanent hair reduction. After treatment, over years, due to aging, hormonal changes, medication effects and illnesses there are time when new hair growth may occur.
The use of laser can eliminate ingrown hairs in the facial area, it can treat and eliminate a condition called pseudo folliculitis barbi, it can help guys regain self confidence in body image and importantly give you a clean, smooth look and feel that is likely very pleasing to your partner. According to Olivia Arkin, senior medical laser technician at Advanced Laser in Roslyn, “we have had patients enjoy the beach (without a shirt) for the first time in their lives. We have also had great success in thinning out some extremely heavy beards where the clients prior to laser treatments had to shave twice daily. Additionally we have seen guys who never removed their tee shirts while being intimate with their partner who now enjoy a new freedom and confidence”. As mentioned above for men the most popular areas for hair removal is their back, chest, neck, and even their face. Back hair is by far the hardest for men to remove themselves. They have the obvious problem of reach, it’s nearly impossible to shave your own back, and it can be even more frustrating and embarrassing to find someone to do it for you.
Laser hair removal is not inexpensive even though pricing has come down greatly over the past few years. Depending on the area to be treated pricing will be anywhere from a couple of hundred dollars to about $2000 for a full back series. The center treating you should offer some form of “touch up” warranty for 6 months to a year following your last treatment. Remember though that once completed it is a done deal! There are no weekly or monthly maintenances required. No recurring fees for treatments or supplies. All patients generally agree it is money well spent, a good value and are very happy with their treatments. Again all areas can be treated from the reduction of facial hair, to unibrows, to buttocks and pubic area. Each client is unique with their own desires.
If you’ve considered laser hair removal at all now is a great time to take action and be ready to show off clean smooth skin this summer. Be sure you research the office providing the service. Check their reputation, their experience, their time in business. Take photographs before you start treatments and read all paperwork and contracts given to you thoroughly before signing.
The author, Lisa Panetta, is the manager of Advanced Laser of Long Island. She is a licensed esthetician, a specialist in medical laser therapies and hair removal. Lisa was one of the first Certified Aesthetic Consults in the country.
