If you're not happy with shaving, tweezing, or waxing to remove unwanted hair, laser hair removal may be an option worth considering.

Laser hair removal is one of the most commonly done cosmetic procedures today. It beams highly concentrated light into hair follicles. Pigment in the follicles absorb the light. That destroys the hair.

Lasers are useful for removing unwanted hair from the face, leg, arm, underarm, bikini line, and all other body areas.

Benefits of laser hair removal include:

Precision: Lasers can selectively target dark, coarse hairs while leaving the surrounding skin undamaged.

Speed: Each pulse of the laser takes a fraction of a second and can treat many hairs at the same time. The laser can treat an area approximately the size of a quarter every second. Small areas such as the upper lip can be treated in less than a minute, and large areas, such as the back or legs, may take up to an hour.

Predictability: Ninety percent of patients have permanent hair reduction after an average of six to eight sessions.

Painless hair removal : There is a large laser tip that is used for larger body areas like full legs, arms and back. This is absolutely painless and provides a clean hairless skin in 5-6 sittings.

HOW TO PREPARE FOR LASER HAIR REMOVAL

Laser hair removal is more than just ''zapping'' unwanted hair. It is a medical procedure that requires training to perform and should only be done by a dermatologist.

If you are planning on undergoing laser hair removal, you should limit plucking, waxing, and electrolysis for four weeks before treatment. That's because the laser targets the hairs' roots, which are temporarily removed by waxing or plucking. You should also minimise sun exposure for six weeks before and after treatment.

WHAT TO EXPECT DURING LASER HAIR REMOVAL

Just before the procedure, your hair that will be undergoing treatment will be trimmed to a few millimeters above the skin surface. The laser equipment will be adjusted according to the color, thickness, and location of your hair being treated as well as your skin color.

Depending on the laser or light source used, you and your doctor will need to wear appropriate eye protection. It will also be necessary to protect the outer layers of your skin with a cold gel or special cooling device. This will help the laser light penetrate the skin.

When the procedure is completed, you may be given ice packs, anti-inflammatory creams or lotions, or cold water to ease any discomfort. You may schedule your next treatment four to six weeks later.

Mild temporary effects like redness, burning, swelling or rarely blistening may be avoided by the right amount of cooling and by using sunscreens.