PERMANENT HAIR REMOVAL

The use of lasers to selectively target the hair follicle is still under intense study and the most effective treatments have not yet been scientifically validated. The issues being examined are what part of the hair follicle needs to be targeted, what stage of the hair growth cycle, the best time interval between treatments, the best way to prevent skin damage, and the permanence of laser hair removal.

Since laser hair removal has only been in use since the mid 1990's, long term results are not yet possible to know, but experience to date suggests that the hair reduction achieved is permanent. Permanent hair reduction means that laser hair removal will reduce the total number of body hairs, but it does not mean that all hairs in the treatment area will be eliminated.

Although permanent hair removal may be possible over time with multiple treatments, the use of lasers for "permanent hair removal" cannot be guaranteed. Since laser hair removal is still a relatively new technology, the FDA will not approve the claim of "permanent hair removal" until there is sufficient data to demonstrate such results. What may be claimed is that laser hair removal achieves "permanent hair reduction."

When comparing choices for hair removal, however, laser hair removal still remains an effective method of providing excellent long term results. After six months of treatment, laser procedures are reported to remove 60 percent to 95 percent of the targeted hair, results varying by the patient.

A patients response to laser hair removal will vary based on their hair color and skin type. Patients with light skin and dark hair will usually have better results, require fewer treatments and achieve longer lasting results than patients with blond hair or red hair or dark skin or tanned skin. Many people are not good candidates for laser hair removal, but even the ideal candidates may not always respond well to laser treatment.

And while some patients don't achieve total hair removal in a treated area, some of the hair follicles are converted to vellus hairs (peachfuzz), so although the hair is not permanently destroyed, there is still a noticeable visual effect. If new hair growth does appear over time, it is usually finer and lighter in color, and can be treated again if desired.