The bearded women in those yesteryear circuses   never failed to  evoke the interest of curious onlookers. Had these women been around today they, possibly, would have lived different lives.

Unwanted hair in men and women has always been considered a nuisance; in some cases they are nothing less than  a nightmare. It was expected of people with unwanted hair growth  to resort to all possible ways such as waxing, tweezing and shaving to combat the  frizz onslaught.

In India, the use of turmeric for cosmetic purposes is common among  women although men are not encouraged to do so. The reason cited is that turmeric, when used on the face, and other body parts, keeps the skin smooth and controls hair growth .

But all the above methods are not permanent solutions to ‘hairy’ problems. That is  the main reason why laser hair removal is considered as a blessing by many.

Growth of a single hair is characterized by cycles of   growth, dormancy and shedding . The laser hair removal treatment has been known to be the most effective when carried out during the growth cycle. Due to  varied cycles of  hair growth a schedule will have to be designed to suit the patient, for optimal results. It is also necessary to avoid getting tanned  before the procedure.

The procedure begins by shaving and cleaning the body area that needs to be treated, followed by the application of an anesthetic cream. After this, pulsed laser beams are directed  to the target area and these are absorbed by the pigments in the hair follicles. The light from the laser is converted to heat, which damages the follicle and its ability for hair growth.

This treatment can be used to remove hair permanently, from any body part such as the face, neck, underarms, shoulders, groin or legs. It is tested and proven and is, therefore, safe and effective. The procedure may be uncomfortable but is not painful.

In advanced clinics, FDA approved equipments are used for the procedure.

The duration of the procedure depends on the area to be covered and may extend from a few minutes to an hour. Four to six laser sessions, at monthly intervals, are necessary for the effect of the procedure to be permanent.

Initially some skin reactions, such as redness, or swelling, may be visible but that would soon disappear and the person can soon revive normal activities .The procedure must be carried out by trained  experts,  in certified clinics, in order to minimize blisters, burns, scarring  or any other unwarranted skin reaction.

The cost of the method depends on the body geography of the concerned individual, the kind of laser used, the intensity of hair growth and the time taken for the procedure. It is, by and large, affordable.

Now if you have been craving for that perfect -looking bikini line you know how to go about it, don’t you?

Written by:
Dr. Reeja Tharu