Laser hair removal is the new black for hair removal consumers. In fact it’s been that way since the mid-sixties, if you knew where to look. These days the market is swamped with competing technologies, with physicians, electrologists, beauticians and self-proclaimed ‘laserologists’ all vying for your attention – and your credit card details. But lasers aren’t for everyone, and proper treatment requires some serious training and education. So if you’re considering ‘LHR’ as a solution to your excess hair trouble, you need to know the facts.



First off, the science. Laser treatment works by delivering light into your skin. It comes from a hand-piece at a specified wavelength. It targets dark matter, such as the pigment in your hair. So while the tissue surrounding the follicle is ignored, the laser causes thermal and/or mechanical damage to the hair follicle and inhibits its ability to produce hair.

Sounds good, right? Well, it is. Done properly, laser hair removal is safe, it’s very useful for large areas (unlike electrolysis), and many consumers report long lasting hair removal or permanent hair reduction. Those with light-skin and dark hair have the best results, and if there is re-growth, it’s often much lighter and softer than the original hair.

It’s worth bearing in mind though that there’s nothing long-term about how safe or effective this method of hair removal is. In fact, recent research has raised concerns about the effect of laser irradiation on other skin structures. Low-skilled treatment can result in burns, lesions, temporary skin discoloration, as well as patchy re-growth. Beyond this, laser treatment can be expensive, painful, and sometimes ineffective, even for those who fit the bill completely.

The bottom line – it’s a good idea for some, not so much for others. Just don’t trust any claims that sound too good to be true. If a practitioner doesn’t admit to all of the above, he’s more interested in your wallet than in your satisfaction, and if he’s using words like ‘guaranteed’ in his sales pitch, steer clear. Remember that while some users experience permanent hair removal, many don’t. There are also inadequate controls governing the proper application of treatment from state to state.

The best thing you can do is shop around. Even the best doctors are salespeople, so there’ll be plenty of hype to read through before you get to the nitty gritty. If you’re really confused, probably the safest person to use is a dermatologist or plastic surgeon, with specific training and qualifications in laser treatment.

Don’t be afraid to call first and get all of your awkward questions out of the way. A decent, considerate physician will be more than happy to help. Set up a consultation with the person who will be carrying out the treatment. Talk to some other clients if you can. You should even be able to get some test patches done, somewhere that won’t show too much if something goes wrong. Keep tabs on your findings and take your time. This is an important – and sometimes expensive – procedure. You probably can’t afford to get it wrong.