Overview
Women deal daily with shaving and waxing as a method of hair removal. Women may spend close to $11,000 ina lifetime on shaving and shaving products, and close to $23,000 ina lifetime with waxing, according to a Zoomerang hair removal survey conducted in May 2008. Some permanent hair removal methods may save you money in the long run, and help you avoid the frustration of hair growth on your legs.
Electrolysis
According to the American Electrology Association, electrolysis was invented in 1875 with the initial intention of removing annoying ingrown hairs from eyelashes. Electrolysis involves putting an electrical current through a small needle that is inserted into each hair follicle, destroying the hair growth cells. Often a topical anesthetic cream is applied to the skin where the hair removal is taking place, to reduce the patient’s discomfort during the procedure.
Effectiveness of Electrolysis
Due to the expense and the amount of time it takes to perform, electrolysis isn’t often used on large areas like the legs. However, as of 2010 it is the only hair removal treatment recognized by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration as being a permanent and effective treatment for hair removal. Coarse and deep hair cannot always be eliminated with the first treatment, and it may take additional treatments to effectively break down the hair growth cells.
Laser Hair Removal
Laser hair removal involves using a low-energy beam laser that is scanned across the skin to an individual hair follicle. The intense heat of the laser destroys the hair follicle and prevents the hair from regrowth. A cooling device such as a cool gel or water-cooled piece is attached to the laser and used during the procedure to lessen the patient’s discomfort. The pulsating laser feels like a snapping of a rubber band on the skin, or like warm pinpricks.
Effectiveness of Laser Hair Removal
According toAmericanAcademyof Dermatology, three or more treatments may be necessary to achieve permanent hair growth reduction. People with dark hair and light skin respond better to the laser than those with light hair and dark skin. Since hair grows in cycles, the hair growth may return but will be much lighter and finer in texture. Redness and inflammation may result from laser hair removal on the legs, but cold packs after treatment can alleviate these side effects.
Considerations
According to American Electrology Association, the amount and thickness of the hair, the size of the area where the hair is being removed, and who is performing the procedure are all general considerations of costs. Typically, having a hair removal specialist such as an electrologist or a laser hair removal office perform the treatment may cost less then going to a dermatologist or a plastic surgeon for the treatment. Since electrolysis is more permanent then laser hair removal, and the procedure is more intricate and time-consuming, it generally costs more than laser hair removal when removing hair from a large area of the body such as the legs.
From makeup and beauty, post Permanent Hair Removal for Legs
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