Professional vs DIY Male Laser Hair Removal
When Metro newspaper investigated the effectiveness of home vs professional laser hair removal for men, they asked GP and skin expert Dr Ross Perry for his expert advice.
Writer Lee Bell shares his laser hair removal experiences
“…from affordable home gizmos to several types of professional machine in salon environments, I’ve been zapped by various types of laser hair removal solutions in an attempt to get rid of it for good.”
Although he says the long-term low-maintenance results are appealing, in reality he says:
“I’ve achieved varying degrees of success.”
The writer explains how laser hair removal works:
“Laser hair removal works when the laser emits a light that’s absorbed by the pigment, or melanin, in the hair. This light energy is converted to heat that damages the hair-producing follicles in the skin and inhibits or delays future hair growth.”
A good colour contrast between hair pigment and skin is key to getting the best results.
Professional machines found in salons and clinics are a higher power. This effectively means that home laser hair removal systems are likely to be less effective.
Dr Ross Perry told Metro:
“Home hair-removal devices will only work on a narrow range of hair and skin colours. This is because the lasers zero in on pigments in the hair follicle and are only effective when there’s a lot of contrast between skin and hair.
“If you have dark skin or light hair, laser hair removal at home will rarely work because the dark pigment absorbs the laser and it can result in a burn. Many home lasers have sensors that block them from working on darker skin.”
He explained that home laser hair removal systems don’t really offer permanent results, more a reduction in the thickness and frequency of growth, due to the lower power. He explains:
“Most products are safe to use but due to the lower power you’re not going to end up permanently hair-free, only reducing the amount of hair and thinning it.”
Professional devices operate on a higher heat frequency and have inbuilt cooling to ensure that treatment is safe and the skin stays cool while the laser energy is delivered.
Ben concluded:
“I’m convinced going professional is the way to go — the results were way more impressive.”
Expert advice on laser hair removal
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Dr Ross Perry
Dr Ross Perry regularly provides expert comment and advises the media on a range of skincare and health-related issues.
He is highly experienced in non-surgical cosmetic and medical treatments such as BOTOX® and dermal fillers, where he has a reputation for excellent results that look entirely natural.
He has particular repute in skin surgery mole removal and melanoma; having carried out thousands of procedures in his career, both within the NHS and privately through Cosmedics Skin Clinics.
Cosmedics Skin Clinics
Cosmedics Skin Clinics was established in 2003 and has built up an excellent reputation for cosmetic and medical skin treatments, carried out by GMC Registered Doctors and Surgeons. The company offer a full range of cosmetic treatments, including popular lip enhancement and wrinkle relaxing injections, dermal fillers; plus medical treatments including mole removal, thread vein treatment and excessive sweating injections. They also offer treatment for medical conditions including haemorrhoids and carpal tunnel.
Cosmedics Skin Clinics has a team of skin treatment doctors and surgeons in their 5 skin clinics across London and Bristol led by Dr Ross Perry.
Call 020 7386 0464 or email enquiries@cosmedics.co.uk to book an appointment.
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