You can’t listen to the radio without hearing at least one commercial for
laser hair removal. The clinics promise permanent hair loss with no pain. Like
your mother told you, if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Here
are a few pros and cons about laser hair removal to think through before you
invest in this procedure.
Cons
Your hair must be darker than
your surrounding skin.
If you have blond or red hair, have recently tanned your skin, or have darkly
pigmented skin, laser hair removal is not for you.
The laser affects dark pigment, for instance the dark pigment in hair. If
your hair is light colored, your results will not be as good. If your skin is
dark, the laser could cause scarring or pigment problems.
Expensive
Laser hair removal can be very expensive, especially on uncommon areas where
competition has not driven the price down. Individual sessions can be as much
as $500, and be warned that long-term results require several visits.
Hair may grow back
Those commercials claim permanent results, but so far there is no long-term
data to back up this claim. Regrowth is a possibility.
Pros
Less painful than other
methods.
Most people experience little or no pain with laser hair removal compared to
other methods like waxing or electrolysis.
Hair prevented form growing
back long-term
Many people do see long-term hair loss. This is a bonus for those of us that
want to throw on those shorts without a second thought.
Good for large areas
Because of the time and pain associated with laser hair removal, it is ideal
for large areas such as the legs and back.