No More Hairiness: Hair Removal Surgery

by Lisa Ortega

Posted on Saturday 18th of October 2008

Everyone has insecurities about something. But, the most amusing kinds of insecurities are the ones that do not actually cause any significant discomfort. Instead, they just tend to make a person look bad. Take, for example, the plight of men and women who are upset because they have an excess amount of hair.

Well, hairy men and women everywhere can thank technology for the advent of hair removal surgery. Specifically, hair removal surgery is done with lasers, which attack the roots of each hair follicle and destroy them. The patient is not only left with hair-free skin, but they can also be comforted by the fact that the hair removal surgery produces permanent results if the patient wants.

However, for a less expensive fee, a patient can have electrolysis done. This particular form of laser hair removal surgery is most often done is a spa-like setting. With this kind of procedure, the hair can be eliminated for a period of months at a time.

So, what are the benefits to having hair removed by lasers? Well, first of all, consider the debacle of shaving. Whether you are a man or a woman, it is nearly impossible to get a perfectly close shave, despite the promises of many commercial products. So, men end up with stubble on their faces after a few hours, and women end up with stubble on their legs. Hair that is removed by lasers leaves no stubble.

Plus, because a local anesthetic cream is applied, the pain is far less severe in this kind of procedure than it would be if you were to have your skin waxed. With waxing, the pain is so severe because the follicle is literally ripped out of the skin.

It is important to note that even if you do choose to have your hair permanently removed by lasers, certain guidelines apply. First of all, the light your hair is, the less effective the procedure will be. Besides, people will lots of light hair can actually get away with not shaving for a little while if their skin is equally as light. Conversely, the darker your hair is, the more effective the procedure will be.

You're probably wondering what most prospective patients wonder – how can a laser get rid of hair in the first place? The laser itself is an intense form of light – light that the pigment follicles absorb. Because the light itself is hot, the heat damages the follicle, and thus inhibits its ability to let the hair grow again.

How safe is this procedure? It actually is quite safe, and has been used with superb effects for many years. However, that doesn't mean that redness, swelling, or even a slight burn can't occur in some people. This is a process that takes several sessions to complete for permanent results. You cannot just walk into a doctor's office, have the procedure done once, and think that it will provide you with hair-free skin forever! So, one thing you will definitely need to have if you choose to have this procedure done is patience.