Laser Back Hair Removal

Hair removal used to be a procedure that was mostly undergone by women. Men only sought hair removal solutions if they were swimmers, body builders or cyclists. It was decidedly “un-manly” to remove one’s body hair. Well, times have changed and men are exercising their grooming rights, like having laser back hair removal procedures done.

Excess body hair

Laser Back Hair Removal Photo

Many men are at a loss when it comes to dealing with excess body hair. Unlike women who have utilized every epilation tool at their disposal for years, many men are not aware of the available options. Most men are not necessarily looking to totally remove back hair or go with a completely smooth and hairless chest. Many are just looking to have it thinned out a bit.

While waxing, shaving, depilatory creams and electrolysis are viable options, men are increasingly looking for permanent back hair removal. Laser treatments are thus far the only option to be recognized as permanent by the FDA, which has lead to an increase in laser hair removal for men.

While the price of laser hair removal is decidedly more than other options, laser back hair removal is permanent. Electrolysis, for example, gives results that will last for a very long time, but the treatments must be repeated on an annual or bi-annual basis. Over time the cost of continual treatments could rival or exceed that of laser treatments.

The need for additional laser back hair treatments

Laser Back Hair Removal Photo 2As men age, more hair grows. Men will start to see hair in places that it had never been before. This side effect of natural aging will lead to additional laser treatments to keep up with the new hair. As an example: laser back hair removal is permanent in the cells that have been treated. But as men age, more cells begin to produce hair. These new hair cells will need to be treated. Once a hair producing cell dies, that cell will never produce another hair. That is not to say that another cell will not spontaneously start producing hair as a result of aging.

What to expect

Laser patients are instructed to avoid tanning beds, the sun, and sunless tanners prior to treatment. Plucking, electrolysis and waxing cannot be done in the weeks before treatment. Patients should not shave for the two days preceding treatment.

Antiviral medications may be administered for several days prior to each treatment in order to avoid the possibility of herpes simplex infections in the treatment area. Oral antibiotics may be given depending on the area to be treated.

Individuals who are interested in laser back hair removal should first consult with a dermatologist who will determine if laser treatments are a viable option. The consultation should also give the patient an idea of how many treatments will be required to achieve the desired effects.

Price of Laser Hair Removal

While the price of laser hair removal can be expensive, many patients have found that the lasting effects and reduced future hair growth are worth every penny. The actual costs of laser treatments for hair removal is dependent upon many factors: the body part being treated, the amount of treatments that are required, the demographic area in which the treatment takes place, the clinic or doctor who performs the treatments, and a host of other considerations.

Price proportionate to number of treatments

Hair growth patterns are unique to each individual and this makes it difficult to precisely estimate how many treatments will be needed to eliminate problem hair. This directly relates to cost estimates as well. The most comprehensive estimates can only be given after a consultation with a doctor who can look at things like hair growth patterns and density as well as the area to be treated. Only then can the price of laser hair removal be adequately estimated.

In many cases three treatments can be enough to achieve hair removal for several months. Other patients will require more or less depending. Some clinics offer packages of treatments at discount prices. Still other clinics might offer discounts for the second and third body parts to be treated.

Average prices of laser hair removal

In the absence of particulars the only pricing that can be ascertained will be based on national average prices charged for each single treatment based on body part. Just keep in mind that different areas of the country will be higher or lower priced; these are averages only for the purpose of discussion. The following list shows the national average price of laser hair removal based on body part. These averages are per treatment:

  • Bikini area hair removal: $350 to $500
  • Back hair removal: $400 to $600
  • Removal of hair from lower and upper legs: $600 to $850
  • Removal of arm hair: $350 to $500
  • Under Arms: $250 to $350
  • Chest hair removal: $350 to $600
  • Face and neck hair removal $600 to $900

These average costs are just for the doctor’s fees. Any hospital or clinic charges will be separate as will any anesthesia. Anesthesia may be used in cases where the procedure is performed on a very sensitive area such as the bikini area. Individuals with lower levels of pain tolerance may require topical anesthetics.

An important point to keep in mind is that medical procedures are not necessarily where you want to skimp and save money. As the old adage goes, you get what you pay for. It just isn’t worth taking chances with laser procedures.

Laser Hair Removal for Men

Laser hair removal had been experimentally performed for about 20 years before becoming available commercially in the mid seventies. Today, laser hair removal for men is widely practiced. Laser epilation is the only method of hair removal that is deemed permanent by the FDA.

The Mechanics of Laser Hair Removal

Selective photothermolysis is the primary principle used in laser hair removal. Simply put, selective photothermolysis is the process by where a specific wavelength of light, or laser, is precisely targeted into dark target matter, or melanin. The energy, or light, will produce sufficient heat to damage the melanin in the target area while leaving the surrounding area untouched. In this case, the laser is targeted on the melanin in the follicle or root of each individual hair, killing the cell.

Melanin is what gives color to skin and hair. Since lasers target melanin, only black or brown hair can be removed with lasers. Laser hair removal can lighten the skin of darker skinned individuals, since melanin is what makes the skin darker. Lasers work best on light skinned individuals with dark, coarse hair.

Who Seeks Epilation by Laser?

Both women and men seek to have unwanted hair removed. Laser hair removal for men is commonly in the areas of the back and the chest, hands and toes. Women more often seek to have hair removed from the: face, underarms, bikini lines, cleavage, arms, legs and hands.

The number of treatments needed varies based on a number of different parameters. On average five to seven treatments are required but some cases could require up to 12 or 13 treatments to achieve the desired results. For example, laser back hair removal on light skinned individuals with coarse dark hair might only require seven treatments while a dark skinned individual or an individual with lighter or more fine hair may require twice as many treatments. Treatments are usually spaced 3 to 12 weeks apart.

Side Effects

Many individuals who have laser epilation experience no side effects at all. However, the side effects that can be associated with laser hair removal for men and women include:

• Redness and swelling
• Pain, tingling or numbness
• Burning of skin
• Acne flare ups
• Scabbing
• Skin discoloration
• Infection

Side effects should be mild and last no more than a few day. If more than mild discomfort or side effects are evident it is important to see the doctor immediately

Permanent Back Hair Removal

So far the only technique that is proven to work for permanent back hair removal is electrolysis. This is also the only method of hair removal that the FDA has approved for permanently removing hair. Electrolysis kills the treated hair follicle, the cell from which the hair grows. Since the cell is gone hair can no longer grow from that cell again. Continue reading Permanent Back Hair Removal →

How To Remove Back Hair

There are several ways that men can remove back hair. Some of these hair removal options may be performed at home with little to no help. Other treatment options must be performed either by a trained technician or a doctor. Here we will look at some of these options individually. Continue reading How To Remove Back Hair →