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Laser hair removal has been commercially available to the public since the mid-nineties, yet despite this product being widely available for over two decades, there are still many misconceptions about the treatment, making it an option many people do not even consider when looking for hair removal options, deeming it too expensive, too painful, or too time consuming, however, that is very much not the case, and compared to many other forms of hair removal, it is the better option.
The most commonly used types of hair removal worldwide are shaving, waxing and depilatory creams, followed by many others, and despite many of the negative side effects of these treatments like allergic reactions, rashes and cuts, many still believe these to be the better option for hair removal and do not consider laser hair removal, but why?
Misconceptions of Laser Hair Removal
One of the biggest misconceptions about laser hair removal is that it costs too much, with an average treatment session at $400, but in the long term, it really does not. While in the initial payment for laser hair removal does outweigh the cost of a shaving kit, or $30 waxing appointment, the long term cost of this treatment is significantly less, for example, A bikini wax costs an average of $30 per appointment, with an average of 6 weeks between appointments. On a 52-year week, this totals 8 appointments per year or $240 per year. If you were to continue this for twenty years, this would cost you $4800 on average, and for thirty years an eye-watering $7200!
In comparison, Laser Hair Removal on the bikini line is an average of $350 per session, requiring an average of 6 sessions with one month between each appointment. Following the initial sessions, a maintenance treatment once a year for the first few years should be carried out to ensure the best results, for this example, we will use 3 years. For the complete treatment, this totals $3150, which when compared to the costs of waxing, is a saving of over $4000, proving to be the most cost-effective hair removal option out of the two.
What is Laser Hair Removal
So, what is laser hair removal? Well, Laser hair removal uses a laser, or intense pulsed light (IPL), that has been converted into a heat source to heat the hair follicles inside the skin. When the laser heats the hair follicles inside the skin, this damages the pigment or melanin in the hair follicles, delaying any further hair growth in that area.
While this treatment may sound somewhat painful given the use of lasers, most users advise the feeling to be no more than a tingling sensation, and the severity of the sensations lessen with each treatment, with many stating the first time is the most unpleasant of all treatments. For those that have low pain tolerances, many clinics also offer pain-free options, such as numbing lotions or creams, and can adjust the settings of the laser if required, making this the best choice for hair removal.
Results of Using Laser
But what results can you see? Well, after just one session of laser hair removal you will notice a large difference in the way the hair begins to grow back, be it the amount of hair or the texture. After that you will notice the hair will begin to fall out and will not grow back in that area. After a couple of appointments, you will begin to see a large difference in the volume and appearance of hair in the treated area, and many see around 70% of hair in that area reduced by their sixth session, with the hair that remains very fine and lighter coloured than before. Once all sessions have been completed, you can expect the treated area to look almost identical to that of it shaved or waxed, but without any maintenance!
So why should I get laser hair removal? We have already established that it is the cheapest and least painful option, but why else should you consider laser hair removal? For a start, it’s the most low-maintenance hair removal option there is, once you have completed all your treatments, that’s it! It is also a very quick procedure, taking an average of 20 minutes per area, which in total could mean as little as two hours to be hair-free and care-free.
Conclusion
Laser hair removal is a great long-term option for anyone out there, and it should be considered next time you are thinking about hair removal, as the pros for this treatment greatly outweigh those of its counterparts. Always research into the clinic you are looking to use to make sure they are reputable and qualified, but once you have both these boxes are ticked, you are all set on a speedy, cost-effective hair removal journey!
