Laser Hair Removal: Is There Any Technology For Us?

I am pretty bust, so anything that I can do that will save me some time I will hop on as fast as anything. Since the summer time is approaching I am trying to find a way to cut my shaving time down if not gone totally. On of the latest forms of long lasting hair removal is the use of lasers.

How lasers work is that a beam of light travels through the skin until it reaches the hair follicle below. The lasers beam is attracted to the pigment (color) with the hair. The only problems is that when it comes to African American skin the laser system can not identify the dark hair from the dark skin. When the laser is used, the beam of light heats both the pigments in the hair and the overlying skin resulting in damage to the patients skin. This damage can include blistering or crusting much like what happens when you tough something hot. When pigment in the top layer of skin is overheated, some dark-skinned individuals may also experience an increase or a decreased of pigment in the treated area, or in the worst-case scenario the patient may develop a scar. (Dermatology Channel, 2001)

That is the bad news, the good news is that doctors have been experimenting with laser that they work for African Americans skin. Here is an example of some of the laser that they have come up with:

Yttrium Aluminum Garnet Laser- this laser has just been approved by the FDA has a longer wavelength with allows laser lights to bypass pigment in the skin and reach hair follicles. This process could take three to six treatments to have the full effects, and it could cost from $ 300 to $ 1000 to complete. (Honey, 2001)

Light Sheer XC, SL 1000 and Cool Guide Lasers- these lasers treatments has lasers that have the same amount of energy but at a slower rate and safer wavelength while keeping the skin cool. These processes can take anywhere from four to seven treatments to be complete. The treatment can cost from 150 dollars to 600 dollars and there is a change of redness of light or dark patches to appear. (Essence, 2001)

So if you want to get laser surgery just know when you go to the doctors there are options for African American women. And also ask about any new advances out there. As for me looking at those prices I will have to stick to shaving for now.

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