I’ve heard people give every excuse in the book to avoid trying laser hair removal.
Although its not a new technology, its only recently become a “household name” as a technique for removing unwanted hair. Some people apprehensive, and understandably so – I know I was. When my friend told me about lasering her under arms my eyes glazed over; I was not interested at all. When that same friend waited 20 minutes outside my house while I did some last minute leg and bikini shaving she put her foot down. “You HAVE to try laser hair removal. It’s easy and permanent. And I’m booking you a consultation.”
And that was that. Now I’m a laser hair removal convert. I haven’t spent a cent on shavers, shaving cream or waxing appointments since I started my permanent hair removal treatments.
So here’s to hoping that 2010 will be the year you stop procrastinating and get with the program!
Now, as promised, check out this little list of common myths about laser hair removal:
MYTH No. 1: It’s expensive.
Yes, laser hair removal is more expensive than a waxing appointment. But it’s cheaper than a year’s worth of waxing appointments. And just think, you’ll NEVER have to see that mean waxing lady again!
The good news is there are package deals that lower the total cost considerably. So make sure you ask about the packages before you commit. (Learn more about the Cost and Price of Laser Hair Removal by clicking here.)
MYTH No. 2: It hurts a lot.
If you’ve felt the pain of waxing then that’s about as uncomfortable as laser hair removal is. It’s more painful than shaving (which is not really painful at all, just more of pain to do).
The truth is that how much it hurts depends on your personal pain threshold. Most consider it to be mild in terms of pain. Ask the technician to put on an anaesthetic cream if you’re nervous.
MYTH No. 3: Laser hair removal causes increased hair growth.
I don’t know who started this ridiculous story but it has exactly zero percent truth to it. Laser hair removal REDUCES hair growth. Personally, in the areas I’ve lasered I’d say I have a 99% hair reduction. The 1% remaining are stray little blond hairs.
Laser hair removal is the most effective way to permanently remove unwanted hair, period.
MYTH No. 4: It’s harmful to your internal organs.
This is another one of those silly rumors. Hair Removal lasers are certified by the FDA to be safe and, when operated by qualified technicians, there is no reason to worry.
The laser doesn’t penetrate more than 4 millimeters into the skin and only reaches the hair follicles, period. So your liver is safe.
MYTH No. 5: Only people with light skin and dark hair can get laser hair removal.
I’ve heard this one a lot. Seems people think only Snow White types can have laser hair removal. That’s wrong. Let me clear this up: most lasers work best on people who have light skin and dark hair BUT they are not the only ones who can be successfully lasered.
New lasers have been designed for people who have dark skin and dark hair or light hair and light skin. Make sure the clinic you’re at has the right type of laser for you.
MYTH No. 6: It causes scarring.
If getting laser hair removal meant you would end up with a body full of burn scars that would be completely insane. It would be illegal. Ridiculous. The truth is laser hair removal causes no scarring, unlike what can happen with electrolysis, which uses a needle.
The laser actually leaves your skin looking better than it did when you were shaving or waxing. Because the skin is not constantly assaulted with scraping blades and waxes ripping hairs out by the follicle, it becomes smoother.
{ 13 comments… read them below or add one }
Twitter: assaralaser
January 10, 2010 at 9:45 am
Thanks Laser Gal, for another informative post. Now that you’ve dispelled some of the myths, we just want to add a little about how laser hair removal works.
1) Your specialist will adjust the laser settings for maximum absorption by the melanin in the hair follicles and minimal absorption by any melanin present in your skin.
2) Your specialist will conduct your treatment in such a way that all of the area you wish to have treated is covered thoroughly, without missing any hairs, and without over-exposing any of your skin to the laser treatment.
4) The laser used will have an effective cooling system, which cools your skin so that your skin cells aren’t overheated. This also allows your specialist to use the maximum strength of laser on your hair, which provides the best chance of fully disabling them.
5) Your follow up treatments are scheduled at an interval of roughly one month apart. This means that just as any follicles that were not fully disabled during prior treatments have started actively growing again, it’s time for your next treatment.
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Dave from Living With Diabetes Reply:
January 12th, 2010 at 9:04 pm
Sounds like it’s not too painful. Is there any solution for people with dark skin and light hair, (gray)?
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admin
Twitter: assaralaser
Reply:
January 14th, 2010 at 11:40 am
Great question. Light hair can certainly be removed. Sometimes they may require a more-specialized treatment, as light hairs absorb less laser energy since they’ve got less pigment. Grey hairs are really tough. Its certainly best to get laser hair removal before your hairs turn completely grey. Otherwise, electrolysis might be your only hope.
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Great post. I’d also add that there are a few people that for one reason or another don’t qualify for laser hair removal. They can usually go for electrolysis, a more invasive and more expensive process.
In electrolysis, a small needle is inserted under the skin to destroy the follicles one by one. There is some risk of scarring and infection, and it may take months to completely remove unwanted hair.
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I’m so happy she wrote about the top laser hair removal myths. I heard so many frightening things about laser before I went in for a consultation that I was scared to death. The technician at I had was really calm and in control and understanding, but if I had just known that 1) it’s not as painful as your friends say 2) it doesn’t scar you and 3) it won’t leave your bank account empty… I would have done it years ago!
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I know why laser hair removal was thought to be so expensive! That’s because it was! I was bankrolling my girlfriend’s bikini and underarm laser hair removal treatments 3 years ago so I know first hand… IT cost me THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS! My current girlfriend is more sufficient so she pays her own way (and her own lasering) and I asked he how much she was paying I was shoked at her answer… She is lasering he whole body for a quarter of what my ex was paying… The prices have come down, now is the time to try laser, that’s for sure. Rolland.
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I can’t believe that people think laser hair removal can cause MORE hair to grow! That’s kinda odd. I wonder what the reasoning is. It doesn’t seem to make sense. I did my underarms with laser hair removal and got nice results. I want to do my upper lip and I see that myth number 1 is that laser hair removal is expensive… So how much would it be to do my upper lip? Anybody out there know?
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If you like it, you should put some laser on it. lol!
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I can understand why people think laser hair removal is scary. I mean LASER hair removal? what the heck do I know about lasers? Just that I’m not a scifi nerd so I don’t care how they work. But the truth is that laser have amazing properties that can really help heal your skin and stop your unwanted hair from growing. I know this first hand. Listen the FDA doesn’t certify things as safe just for fun. If they give it their stamp of approval then it’s good. I go to Assara and I’m really happy with the services so far. I’ve had a leg and bikini laser hair removal sesssion and tomorrow I’m trying a laser facial… Lasers can b cool… even if you’re not into science fiction!
The laser doesn’t penetrate more than 4 millimeters into the skin and only reaches the hair follicles, period. So your liver is safe.
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I’m fairly dark, with brown hair, so I was expecting the laser process to be painful (I got my legs and bikini area done), but it was no sweat at all. I’ve had more painful experiences waxing. Since I have course hair that grows in every direction, sometimes waxers who pull out my hairs in the wrong direction almost always give me razor bumps everywhere. Laser was a much much better experience.
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I have been waxed and it is so painful I am looking at alternatives but so far been a bit scared to comit. all this extra information helps a lot thanks
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I can’t believe that people actually think it causes more hair to grow. That’s totally ridiculous. I have had some laser hair removal done and the only things I questioned were the price and the amount of pain. I knew it couldn’t hurt as much as getting and once you get it over with you never have to do it again. The price can be a little much for some, but like you said it’s cheaper in the long run. There are many laser hair removal businesses in my area and I found that they were offering some kind of special almost year round, so it really wasn’t that expensive.
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Laser removal was the best decision i have ever made.
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I totally agree with this blog. I had my hair removed using laser a year ago and I must say that I am very happy with the results. The money spent and time save is really worth.
Don’t be afraid of scarring because laser is even use to treat scars!
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Since I have course hair that grows in every direction, sometimes waxers who pull out my hairs in the wrong direction almost always give me razor bumps everywhere.
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