There are a number of ways you can get rid of unwanted hair at home. But after a while, shaving, waxing, tweezing or epilating can get tiresome and you start looking for a long-term solution. Laser hair reduction is an option worth considering.

The treatment uses high-intensity light beams targeted at unwanted hair follicles. The emitted light beams are absorbed by the pigment in the hair and get converted into heat energy, thus damaging the tube-shaped hair follicles. In this way, hair regrowth is damaged or inhibited. The locations where laser hair reduction treatment can be applied include chin, above the lips, armpits, bikini line, legs, etc.

Laser hair removal works best on people with lighter skin and dark-colored hair. It gets absorbed by the pigment in the hair and not in the skin. The treatment is less effective on people with blonde, red, grey or white-colored hairs. For effective removal of hair you might require multiple sittings and afterwards, touch-up treatments could be required every 6-12 months too. While laser treatment doesn’t remove hair permanently, it does drastically reduce majority of the hair with only very fine hair left behind.

• Benefits – The benefits of this treatment include its precision as the laser selectively targets dark-colored coarse hair without affecting the surrounding skin. The treatment is also very fast as each laser pulse takes less than a second to disable many hair follicles at the same time. While small areas like the upper lips can be treated within a minute, larger areas like the leg could take an hour. After an average of 3-7 sittings, the benefit of hair loss becomes predictable.
• Pre-treatment – Before going for laser treatment, keep in mind that it’s a medical procedure best performed by an experienced doctor and carries risks. Limit waxing, shaving or plucking 4 weeks before treatment.
• During Treatment – You will need to wear eye protection and your skin will be coated with a cold gel. The laser will be adjusted according to the color, thickness and location of unwanted hair.
• Post-treatment – After treatment, you will be given icepacks and anti-inflammatory creams to soothe the surrounding skin as some temporary swelling, redness or discomfort is expected. This will subside in a couple of days. After 5-14 days, the treated hair will also fall out. You will need to avoid the sun for a month post-treatment.

Do note that this delicate procedure should be performed by an experienced dermatologist only. And if you are in Bangalore, your best option is the Dr Dixit Cosmetic Dermatology Clinic where it’s routinely practiced.

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The information provided in Dr. Dixit's answer is for educational purposes only and is not intended to constitute medical advice. The information provided should not be relied upon as a substitute for consultations with a qualified health professional who may be familiar with your individual medical needs.