Laser Facial Hair Removal

There are numerous ways to remove unwanted hair from the body and the face. A relatively new method is with the use of laser technology to literally zap hair follicles. While sensitive treatments such as laser facial hair removal require the service of a trained medical professional. There are take-home devices available to the general public so that the laser treatment can be done at home without the need for big fancy equipment and expensive doctors.

Laser hair removal is an effective and safe procedure overall but especially in the case of facial hair removal, a trained professional is required to properly perform the treatment. Never try to use one of those home laser hair removal devices on your face, neck or other sensitive area. During the procedure safety precautions will be taken by the professional performing the treatment especially when working around or near the eyes. Goggles are typically required during laser facial hair removal procedures.

The laser treatment is quick and painless for the most part but will require multiple treatments to completely rid the area of any hairs that might have been missed in previous sessions. But since facial areas tend to have less hair than other parts of the body, and the size of the areas are smaller the overall cost of having hair removed from the upper lip, chin or eyebrows will be more affordable than larger areas of the body.

There are many factors that will come to play in determining the laser facial hair removal cost. As with any laser hair removal treatment generally boils down to the amount of work required of the doctor. More time and effort means higher cost. Also, the region makes a difference because of the demand and the local cosmetic surgery market determines how much a physician will charge for his or her services. Consulting with a physician will give you a better idea about what your particular cost will be for the procedure. We can throw out estimates based on the area of the body to be treated and the geographical region but there is really no way to get an exact number except from the doctor who will perform the procedure.

In the United States, the overall average cost for laser treatment across all body parts is around $400 and $500 for the first session. There is a huge difference between different areas of the body. The average cost of the first treatment to the face or neck is between $600 and $900. The reason it is still more cost effective than other areas of the body is the fewer number of repeat sessions.

Although the cosmetic surgery industry as a whole is closely associated to women and their incessant need to look better than each other, men are increasingly seeking treatment as well. When it comes to women and facial hair it can be a source of embarrassment, and in some cases, low self-esteem. Laser hair removal of facial hair offers an almost permanent solution that is much less painful than plucking or waxing and more convenient and effective than shaving. Laser facial hair removal for men can give men a cleaner, sharper look that doesn't grow out by 5pm. A common request of male patients is removal of eyebrow hairs that grow in unwanted areas of the face.

Without going into too much technical and medical detail, the laser is used to heat the hair follicle at the roots. The heat generated by the laser destroys the hair follicle and which keeps it from growing. A single pulse of the laser can reach hundreds of hair follicles at a time and is a relatively safe procedure because the laser does not penetrate past the top layer of the skin. Facial hair removal by laser is slightly more dangerous because the eyes are sensitive organs that must be protected.

There are some complications that may arise but they are rare and usually occur due to poor practice of precautionary procedures. Lasers are light and therefore the color and pigmentation of the patient's skin and hair will determine the effectiveness of the procedure. Ideally, the patient is light skin with dark hair. Skin tones of medium brown and darker are not eligible for hair removal by laser because it can be dangerous to the patient causing burns and blistering.

Those are the serious side effects and if it is not treated properly can cause near permanent scarring. Mild side effects include skin irritation and swelling. This is common with any hair removal method and the severity depends on the sensitivity of the skin in the area that received the treatment. Because laser facial hair removal is a quick and relatively safe procedure, both men and women can remove as much hair from various areas of the face as their hearts contend.

Here is a video on the cost of laser hair removal in more detail explained by expert Sophia Karimkhani, owner and operator of a beauty salon in Austin, Texas.