Safe Hair Removal Techniques
It’s common to hear radio announcements and see magazine and newspaper advertisements for laser hair removal. Many Kansas City women may not know everything about the procedure, whether it’s the best option for them and its risks and benefits. According to Prevention Magazine, laser hair removal is a “big-payoff improvement truly worth saving for.” The procedure usually includes applying a numbing cream after shaving followed by a heat-conduction gel and then the laser. The laser’s energy pulses target the pigment of the hair. The energy converts to heat, which is absorbed by the hair pigment and eliminates the hair shaft and follicle.
Laser hair removal is best for people with fair skin and dark hair as it is easier to target the pigment. However, according to Dr. Eliot Battle, a professor of dermatology at Howard University, there are now gentler lasers that make the procedure safe for all skin types. Some report feeling a burning sensation with the laser zaps and in extreme cases skin blistering, burns and scarring can occur if the procedure is not done properly. Laser hair removal can cost anywhere between $150 and $1000 per session depending on the size of the area. It is also important to remember that the hair might not always be completely eliminated. Feel like the price is too steep? Lower cost alternatives include electrolysis, waxing and buffing pads. It is important to find a licensed professional properly trained in laser hair removal to perform the procedure.
Kelly Nelson is an intern for KC Parent Magazine. She is a junior at the University of Missouri and is studying Journalism and Spanish there.