Unwanted hair growth can be an annoying hassle, and shaving alone won’t always do the trick. Laser hair removal offers a permanent solution to eliminating this annoyance.
Contrary to shaving or waxing, laser therapy heats the pigment and damages the follicle to stop hair growth from taking place – leaving behind smooth, hair-free skin! Furthermore, lasers may be ideal solutions for people with sensitive skin as it doesn’t involve painful retraction processes like shaving and waxing can do.
Costs
Laser hair removal is a noninvasive cosmetic procedure that utilizes laser light technology to permanently reduce unwanted body hair growth. Usually recommended by dermatologists or aestheticians, the procedure can reduce or even eradicate hair growth on upper and lower legs, arms, backs and underarms. Multiple treatments spaced out four to six weeks apart typically produce optimal results while touch ups may also be needed occasionally for lasting effects. Cost varies depending on which body area is treated – for more accurate pricing information book an initial consultation appointment today!
Other factors affecting the cost of laser hair removal include your location and type of machine used. A higher-end clinic can afford more powerful lasers that may be faster and more effective – saving both time and money in treatment time.
Consider also the geographical cost of living. Prices in major cities like New York will often be significantly higher than rural ones due to rent and overhead expenses that businesses must cover through charging more for services offered there compared to elsewhere in the nation. But this doesn’t always have to be true as some urban clinics may offer equal quality care as other practices across the nation.
As mentioned previously, laser hair removal typically isn’t covered by health insurance or Medicare. Since it is considered cosmetic treatment and not medically necessary, your insurance provider won’t reimburse the costs of laser hair removal. A flexible spending account or HSA might be an alternative method for covering its cost; consult with your healthcare provider beforehand to make sure this option applies to you.
Laser hair removal may seem costly up front, but over time the savings from not waxing or shaving could far outweigh this initial expense. Furthermore, investing in long-term removal solutions like laser will ensure you remain free of unwanted hair for life.
Benefits
Are You Sick of Shaving, Waxing, Tweezing and Plucking Unwanted Hair? Laser Hair Removal Can Save Both Time and Money. A single laser treatment can quickly reduce unwanted hair in minutes! While safe for most individuals, make sure that before scheduling one it is fully understood the risks and benefits involved with the procedure.
At your consultation, a Seattle master esthetician will assess your goals and target areas on your body for laser hair removal. They will also check your medical history to make sure laser treatment will be safe and successful; depending on your skin type and desired results, multiple sessions or multiple treatments may be required to achieve results.
Before the procedure begins, your skin will be numbed using topical anesthetic to ensure maximum comfort during laser hair removal. Once treatment has started, a laser technician will direct a beam towards your desired area – just one pulse takes fractions of a second and can remove multiple hairs in one go! Most patients report feeling like rubber bands snapping against their skin or experiencing sunburn–most patients wear protective eyewear during each session session.
Most patients typically undergo two to six laser treatments in a series. The frequency and number of sessions will depend on your area of body as well as how quickly hair grows in that location; for example, facial hair typically grows faster than leg hair and therefore more treatments may be necessary in terms of frequency and number.
Before your laser treatment appointment, it is best to avoid alpha hydroxyl acid products and retinoids for two weeks beforehand, while shaving the area that will be treated. Tanning beds and excessive sunlight should also be avoided before and after your appointment; if necessary use broad spectrum sunscreen with SPF 30+ protection instead.
Some doctors offer financing options. You should compare prices and interest rates in order to find the most cost-effective provider; make sure they only employ trained, licensed professionals, avoiding spas or salons that employ unqualified individuals for laser hair removal services.
Side Effects
Your practitioner will provide protective eyewear during your laser hair removal treatment and then direct the laser at the area you wish to treat. Laser hair removal may feel similar to being stung, or “like having rubber bands snap against your skin.” You may even smell smoke and burning hair! Depending on the size of the area being treated, sessions could last anywhere from few minutes up to an hour long – though duration depends on its complexity.
Before your treatment starts, your master esthetician will clean the area to be treated and may apply topical numbing cream to ensure maximum comfort during your session. After this step has taken place, you will sit comfortably on a treatment chair while the laser emits laser light that seeks out pigment in hair but not skin and converts that pigment to heat that destroys its follicles; goose-bump-like bumps are actually swellings caused by damaged follicles; you might also see black specks which look like new growth but in reality are dead follicles shedding off.
Results of laser hair removal typically become visible within weeks, though may not immediately become noticeable. It is essential to avoid direct sunlight and tanning beds/lamps for the duration of treatments; and refrain from plucking/tweezing until after your treatments have concluded; you’ll likely require follow up appointments to maintain results from laser hair removal.
Expect to pay out-of-pocket for laser hair removal treatments as most insurance providers consider it cosmetic surgery rather than medical. There may be instances when convincing an insurer of the need for treatment due to health reasons is possible; in such cases, both your doctor and insurance provider must work together.
Recovery
Are you tired of shaving and waxing for hair removal? Consider laser treatment instead. Lasers can permanently reduce hair from your face, armpits, legs and bikini area but require multiple sessions before lasting results are evident. During each treatment session you’ll wear protective eyeglasses to shield your eyes from laser light; you may feel slight pinching sensations during your session; these effects typically subside within hours afterward.
Before having any laser eye procedures done, it’s essential that you research various laser centers in order to find the most cost-effective one. Be sure to ask about their credentials as well as reviews from past patients of each surgeon you consider hiring, along with which clinic offers cutting edge technology and has experienced staff members on staff. Avoid home use lasers which could burn retinas while not providing results as quickly.
Cost estimates for laser hair removal depend on which body part(s) you wish to treat; see table below for general estimates by body area.
People suffering from excessive facial hair (hirsutism) may benefit greatly from laser hair removal treatments to alleviate their condition. Lasers can effectively eliminate unwanted hair from foreheads, cheeks and neck areas without damaging surrounding tissues – and are an invaluable option to consider in treating this issue.
Laser hair removal is usually safe and painless, however before making your decision it is advisable to consult with a dermatologist first. Laser treatment should not be performed if you suffer from severe systemic diseases, connective tissue disease, pregnancy or hormonal imbalances such as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).
Though laser hair removal may be considered cosmetic surgery, Medicare will cover it if it’s essential for health reasons. Unfortunately, your HSA or FSA accounts can’t be used to pay for cosmetic procedures as these would constitute nonqualified distributions that would incur tax penalties.
Laser hair removal can be an excellent way to manage unwanted hair and improve your self-image. This noninvasive, painless procedure offers long-lasting results while saving money in the form of reduced waxing, shaving and plucking costs.
