For many men and women, excess hair growth can be an embarrassing and uncomfortable body feature to contend with on a day-to-day basis. As standing, there are many at home, DIY solutions for body hair, such as shaving, hair removal creams, and waxing. However, all of these options are largely impermanent and render discomforting unwanted side effects such as rashes, ingrown hairs, irritation. Luckily, there are more permanent solutions on the market today, namely, laser hair removal.
The laser hair removal industry is growing rapidly; in 2009 the industry saw over $2 million dollars in profits. And for good reason–laser hair treatments are an effective and safe way to reduce hair growth permanently. Laser hair removal is considered a cosmetic procedure, similar to botox, microdermabrasion, and chemical peels.
Laser removal procedures are general done in anywhere between 3-6 sessions. During the procedure, the professional performing the hair removal applies a numbing gel cream to the area where the laser will be used. Everyone in the room has to wear protective eyewear in order to protect themselves from the light of the laser. Then, the skin is held taut as the laser is applied to the skin. The patient should see results almost immediately, but as sessions increase, the area will become smoother and the undesired hair will not continue to grow back.
While laser hair removal is a safe and relatively easy procedure, it is important that one takes the necessary precautions. The best laser hair removal treatments are offered by board-certified professional dermatologists. Seeing someone who is inexperienced or not a professional can result in burns, skin discoloration, and scarring. Avoid this at all costs.

After your hair removal treatment, it is vital to keep the treated areas out of direct sunlight, and to avoid all forms of tanning. There will often be swelling and redness, but it’s nothing to worry about; simply apply a cold compress to the area of discomfort and take some anti-inflammatory tablets to ease the swelling. Your dermatologist will likely provide you with aftercare instructions post procedure, so be sure to follow them accordingly.