Steve Brotton

QUESTION:  I am embarrassed to say, that I am growing dark hair on the fair skin of my chin and neck! (I'm a middle-aged woman.)  I understand that I am a good candidate for laser hair removal. I figure that the up- front costs of this will more than make up for the mental anguish and expense of the other chronic, long-term solutions. Can you provide any information on this or other techniques?
ANSWER:  Traditional hair removal techniques, such as shaving, plucking and waxing, provide only temporary relief. Electrolysis, although it can result in lessening hair growth, often requires years of ongoing and frequently painful treatments. Although electrolysis works well, it was painful and you have to let the hair grow out. Allergic reactions and ingrown hairs are common side effects of all these hair removal methods.
Do not despair! There is hope. You might consider a Laser hair removal technique (this technique is permanent and it does bring hair removal to a new level of effectiveness and convenience with longer lasting results).  Over time, hair growth will be slower and finer.  Laser technique is relatively painless (most individuals experience no more than a slight stinging sensation as the laser pulses are applied). Each "pulse" of the red laser light takes less than a second to disable large numbers of hair follicles without damaging the surrounding skin. A treatment for facial hair is usually completed in less than ten minutes. The number of sessions will vary for each individual. During the first visit, the visible hair is disabled in the "active" phase of the growth cycle. Follicles in the "resting" stage will not be affected. Eventually, as these dormant hairs become active and begin to grow, additional sessions may be desired.
Let's face it; excess body hair can be unsightly and embarrassing. Shaving, plucking, waxing and depilatory creams provide temporary fixes that are inconvenient, irritating and messy. Electrolysis is time consuming, sometimes painful, and is useful only in removing hair from small areas.
Excess and unwanted hair is a common problem. Women frequently experience this condition on the face, especially the upper lip or eyebrow area, in the bikini area, under the arms or on the legs. Men often wish to rid themselves of hair on their back or chest. They too may have unwanted hair between their eyebrows or on other parts of their face.
Advanced technology lasers and light sources are rapidly changing hair removal treatment, providing gentle, non-invasive and long-lasting solutions to unwanted hair.