Some people have a heavy hair growth all over their bodies and some people want unwanted hair permanently removed from certain parts of the body. Previously the only options available were to either shave or waxing the extra hair oneself or getting someone to shave it or wax it. Now with the invention of the laser and the multiple purposes it has been put to laser hair removal has become quite common. The extra hair that women want most commonly removed is from the legs, armpits, arms, chin, upper lip and bikini line. Men may want unwanted hair removed from their chest, backs and armpits. How exactly laser hair removal is performed is by beaming the laser light to the root of where the hair grows from, called the hair follicle and destroying it. This destroys the root of the hair but the hair follicle is going to reappear and the hair is going to grow again. It may take several laser hair removal treatments to remove or kill the hair growth for an extended period of time, for this one may need to have a series of laser hair removal treatments done. Most laser hair removal treatments take 3 to 8 sessions. The hair free period after getting laser hair removal is not guaranteed but it can vary from several months to several years. This really depends on a person's skin and hair color and it has been most successful on people with fair skin and dark hair. But that is not to say that other people cannot also benefit from it. Laser hair removal has been done successfully on people with darker skin and dark colored hair. How long the laser hair removal treatment will help in that unwanted hair not reappearing depends on how many sessions one has had. People who have had several hair removal sessions have gone for several years without the hair reappearing.

If one wants to get unwanted hair removed from their bodies they should first find a dermatologist who is certified and qualified to do this treatment. One should not go to a salon, spa or clinic that allows non certified people to do this procedure. Once one meets with the doctor he or she will take the medical history, photographs of the areas from where the hair is to be removed and then a follow up discussion about the risks and benefits should take place. If one has a tan one would be advised to wait till the skin returns to its normal color before getting a laser hair removal treatment done. One should not wax or pluck hair before going for laser hair removal. Shaving a day before the treatment is recommended as this will make the hair visible. During the procedure one is given goggles to wear to protect the eyes from accidental exposure to the laser beam. After the treatment has been completed one can go home and one may feel a stinging effect on the areas from where the hair has been removed. How much time a laser hair removal treatment will take depends on the skin from which the hair that is to be removed. Some redness and swelling maybe noticed after the procedure but this should not last very long and if there is crusting use petroleum jelly. After the procedure a person should avoid any strenuous exercise and sun exposure for at least 24 to 48 hours.

The risks of laser hair removal are that the hair may not get completely removed or there can be darkening or lightening of the skin. The new hair may have a different color and texture to the previous hair.

Laser pubic hair removal has also become quite popular and women are not only going for bikini line hair removal but for the entire pubic area. Laser hair removal costs vary depending from where it is performed.