Laser Treatment for Hair Regrowth
Consumers who choose laser hair reduction to get rid of unwanted hair may be surprised that this cannot be accomplished in one session. In fact, multiple treatments are required to address regrowth, as well as maintenance treatments. Those who are good candidates for this procedure can often achieve optimal results. Does this Spark an idea?
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Hair Reduction vs. Hair Removal
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Why are many consumers surprised to discover they need many laser treatments to address hair regrowth? It's helpful to understand how laser hair treatment facilities advertise their services. According to the U.S. Food & Drug Administration, the type of laser process approved to remove hair on the face and body may claim "permanent reduction" rather than "permanent removal." The definition the FDA applies to permanent hair reduction is "long-term, stable reduction in the number of hairs re-growing after a treatment regime, which may include several sessions." So permanent hair reduction provided by laser treatments doesn't mean that the hair will be completely eliminated---just reduced over a long period of time.
Laser Hair Reduction
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If you choose a laser treatment to reduce hair, you commit to a number of treatment sessions. According to the "Hair Removal Journal," a site maintained by dermatologists who practice laser hair reduction, the average number of sessions to get 80 percent permanent hair reduction, as defined by the FDA, is anywhere between four and seven, if you're a good candidate for the procedure. After the first treatment, subsequent sessions to address additional growth may be spaced a month or two months apart. Multiple sessions are needed to treat hair that may have been "dormant" (not in the growing phase) during the preceding session.
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Maintenance Treatments
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According to the "Hair Removal Journal," even after a series of laser treatments is complete, patients may require maintenance treatments to take care of residual hair regrowth. These can be once or twice a year.
Good Candidates
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The Mayo Clinic offers a more conservative outlook on the efficacy of laser treatment for hair reduction, stating that consumers can expect anywhere between 20 and 90 percent permanent hair reduction after six to eight treatment sessions spaced six to eight weeks apart. Your success at using laser hair reduction depends on if you're a "good candidate" for the treatment. According to the Mayo Clinic, those with fair skin and dark hair achieve optimal results, and those with darker skin and hair also get good results. However, people with unpigmented (white or gray hair), fair or light red hair won't see results using laser hair reduction.
Laser Treatment Cost
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Laser treatments to reduce hair can be quite costly, depending on the area of the body treated and how many sessions you require. As of the last part of August 2009, the average national cost of a single treatment was $355, but this varies depending on time of year and the region in which you live. To make sure you get the best outcome, choose a doctor who specializes in dermatology or a similar field.
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