Laser Hair Removal is the Rolls Royce of all hair removal techniques.
Shaving, plucking, and waxing have nothing on lasers. The word "laser" might scare some people that grew up watching sci-fi films, but these lasers are saving the galaxy from follicles not aliens. The general public is blind to the awesomeness that is laser hair removal. This is only because lasers are a new technology in the hair removal field and hasn't yet reached the popular status of the razor and tweezers.
WHAT IS A LASER?
See! The laser doesn't look that scary. This laser gun is connected to a larger machine and a controlled by hand by a doctor. Basically, the orange tip of the laser gun has the circumference of a quarter. It can treat a quarter sized patch of skin per second. That means if you're just going in to get the upper lip done, you can leave the office in about a minute. This is attractive to business men and women who need procedures done in their lunch break.
WILL IT HURT?!
The nurses at Ideal Image Hair Removal informed that the laser feels like a rubber band snapping against the skin. This sensation happens because the laser is literally synging the hair at its root. They also added that numbing cream was administered to patients with a sensitivity to pain. After the 1st procedure, the skin may turn reddish and look sun burnt. This is normal for patients with lighter skin. Lotions are recommended for such conditions. Some reviews show that certain clinics have burned patients' skin with these procedures, but no such claims have been made towards the Ideal Image facility. Most reviews are raving about how freeing it is to not have to shave and constantly worry about excess body hair.
AM I TREATABLE?
Believe it or not, some people aren't allowed into this exclusive, hair-free club. It all depends on the color of the hair. In my consultation at Ideal Image, the nurse had to check my hair and compare it to samples to determine whether I could proceed. If hair is too light, the laser won't be able to permanently kill it. One treatment would keep the hair away for about 3 to 4 weeks but it would all eventually grow back. Darker hair is needed to be eligible to be treated.
ONE AND DONE?!
Unfortunately this isn't a "one and done" situation. At Ideal Image, they recommend 9 sessions of treatments to insure the hair will never grow back. Ideal Image gives a life long guarantee to their patients. If, at the end of the treatments, a patient has a baby or undergoes some other hormonal imbalance and starts to grow hair back, the clinic will remove that hair free of charge.Upon further research, I discovered that other clinics around Cincinnati generally stand by a guarantee with only 4 treatments. The reason multiple treatments are needed is because hair grows in cycles.
The laser can only permanently remove about 15% of the hair per session. Sessions are spaced out between several months to allow the hair to grow back so more can be treated. The Anagen Phase is the only phase in which the hair can be completely removed for good. While the hairs in the catagen and telogen phase will disappear, they will eventually grow back because the root of the hair is still embedded and not attached yet to the actual hair. For this reason, multiple sessions are advised but not required.
THEN COMES THE PAIN...
The pain of this procedure doesn't come while you're under the laser, it's when you have to pay the bill. A typical session for the upper lip may only cost $150. That doesn't seem too bad, but when you need 9 treatments it adds up quickly. You'd be staring at a $1,350 bill with an immaculately smooth upper lip. At Ideal Image, the prices were pretty steep. Checking the competition, I was surprised that their prices were about $125 cheaper than Ideal Image. When taking into account that the competition also only recommends 4 sessions, then there's a lot of money that can be saved. So when considering laser hair removal, I would recommend checking around for pricing. Also arrange consultations to view the facilities and meet the doctors. You can gather a lot of personalized information about the treatment process and feel more comfortable with lasers.
Results
How much are you willing to spend for a life free of hair?!
I really enjoyed this blog Emily! It's very informative and honest. It's so interesting that the laser treats a quarter sized patch of skin per second! Technology is incredible these days. I was wondering what they say about shaving while you are in the middle of the process. Do they need the hair to be grown out? Or can you shave in the meantime?
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