More and more men are opting to use laser hair removal to thin the hair on very hairy chests. Is this treatment right for you? We've put together this guide to inform you of this method of hair removal and how suitable it is for removing hair from chest area.

How Does Laser Hair Removal Work?

Removing hair from the chest area is done with a pulsed light laser. The laser targets melanin in the hair, travels down the hair shaft and causes damage to the hair follicle by the heat produced. This prevents the hair from growing. The hair follicle is not destroyed however so there is a chance the hair will grow back over time.

The dark pigment in the hair attracts the light so if you have hair with none of this pigment or very little this method is probably not for you. This includes men with fair, white or red hair. The method works the best on men with dark hair and light skin. If you have dark skin with a lot of melanin the laser may be attracted to the skin rather than the pigment in the hair and cause some reddening, pain and even blistering.

As the follicle is not completely destroyed it is possible that the hair will grow again. This is unlikely to happen for a very long time if at all so there may be some growth reoccurring eventually. Men grow thicker hair as they age so treatments may need to be undertaken occasionally to take care of this.

For the chest laser hair removal is best used to thin out thick growth rather than to leave the skin completely bare. The method has been approved by the FDA for 'hair reduction' not 'hair removal'. For the large area of the chest the method is particularly suitable as it can cope with large areas in a short time. Unlike electrolysis which targets individual hairs and consequently takes a great deal of time laser hair removal works on many hairs at once so it is more suitable for large areas.

How Safe is Laser Hair Removal?

If the laser treatment is undertaken by an experience operator it is very safe. Some men will experience some reddening in the area treated and a small amount of pain but this will subside in a day or two. As already mentioned men with very dark skin are more at risk of burning and blistering so before you undertake a treatment talk to the providers who have experience with your skin type and degree of pigmentation. It has been reported frequently that any pain felt at the first session decreases for the second and subsequent sessions.

How Much Will Laser Hair Removal Cost?

This method of hair removal is not cheap. Treatments start at around $400 and can be as much as $900 per treatment. Shop around for prices but always make sure that the operators are qualified and the salon is hygienic and takes safety seriously. Personal recommendations are always the best but many men do not like to discuss this intimate subject with their friends. Wives and girlfriends however can be consulted here as they are sure to know the best salons.

Conclusion

Laser hair removal for men's chests is safe and effective and very long lasting. Although expensive it lasts for many years so over the long term can be more economical than waxing or using depilatory creams.