Are you tired of shaving, plucking and waxing to make that pesky hair disappear from your face, back or bikini line? While shaving and many other methods work temporarily, hair can grow back quickly and can become noticeable within a matter of days.

Laser hair removal has become a great catalyst for those seeking smooth skin without the annoyance of stubble and ingrown hairs. Now, instead of shaving day after day, almost anyone can have smooth skin within a short period of time and few treatments.

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Dr. Ed Tobinick, director of the Institute of Laser Medicine said, "shaving, plucking, depilatory creams, electrolysis and laser hair removal are the most common methods of hair removal."

Only a few of those measures last, however.

"For permanent hair reduction, there are only two options: laser hair removal and electrolysis," Tobinick said. "Laser hair removal has far eclipsed electrolysis in popularity at medical offices because it is much more comfortable and offers the major advantage of the ability to treat large areas rapidly."

Lisa Dobbs, a medical professional, was tired of the stubble and ingrown hairs that would occur when shaving her bikini line.

"I'd shave so I could wear a swimsuit, then end up wearing shorts because my skin would get irritated," she said.

Permanent Hair Removal Methods

Electrolysis treatments must be done frequently for the desired results to be achieved. Tobinick explained how it works: "An electrical current is delivered through a needle which is passed through the skin, burning the germinative apparatus underneath the skin surface, ideally without burning or scarring the overlying skin."

Electrolysis treatments require individual hairs to be removed through tweezing or another method after the electric current treats them.

Laser hair removal treatments are quite different.

"An invisible beam of laser light is directed to an area about the size of a nickel with each laser pulse, passing through the surface of the skin. The laser light energy is absorbed by the target. Laser absorption produces a rise in temperature of the hair's germinative apparatus underneath the surface of the skin, causing delay, which may permanently stunt hair regrowth," Tobinick said.

Candidates

Tobinick explained some people are more likely to get optimal results.

"People with dark hair and light skin are the best candidates," he said. "An absolute requirement for laser hair removal is that the hair to be treated is darker than the surrounding skin."

Blond, white or gray hairs are less responsive to laser treatments and sometimes cannot be treated, according to the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery.

Though the combination of light skin and dark hair is best, most anyone can be a candidate.

"New laser technology allows treatment of patients with dark -- even black -- skin, as long as the hair being treated is black and course," Tobinick said.

People dealing with sensitive skin are typically satisfied with laser hair removal results.

"Laser hair removal can be easily used for patients with delicate skin who experience irritation with shaving, depilatory creams and electrolysis," he said.

Dobbs was a great candidate for hair removal.

"My light skin and dark hair were the perfect combination for the treatment," she said.

Areas For Removal

Laser hair removal treatments can be used on most parts of the body and are common for both men and women. Tobinick and the American Academy of Dermatology suggest the following lists of the most common areas for laser hair removal.

Common treatment areas for women:

• Bikini area
• Underarms
• Legs or arms
• Upper lip, chin, entire face

Common treatment areas for men:

• Back and shoulders
• Chest and abdomen
• Beard and neck

Treatments can be effective on other areas, including the face, hands and private areas.

Tobinick mentioned, however, that the area immediately around the eyes should not have laser hair removal, as eyes could receive potential damage from the laser.

Side Effects

Though laser hair removal is safe and effective, there are certain risks and side effects, which are typically mild.

They include changes in skin color, irritation of hair follicles and burning of the skin, Tobinick said. Discoloration is uncommon, and any skin irritation usually goes away within minutes.

"The treatment area would be a bit sensitive after the treatment, but cold packs and numbing cream helped," Dobbs said. "I didn't have any real issues or side effects."

Popularity

Many other people are taking Dobbs' view of the process. The American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery says that more than 1.5 million people went through laser hair removal in 2005, making in the second most-popular nonsurgical procedure.

"Laser hair removal is now an accepted treatment modality that is widely used around the world. Several hundred thousand laser hair removal procedures are performed each year in the U.S. alone. As with any medical procedure, experience and attention to detail are extremely important for achievement of the best results," Tobinick said.

Learn more about how laser can also help you get rid of that embarassing tattoo.

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