Are there any precautions I should take after laser hair removal?

In general, a common sense approach is all that is required. Some of the dos and don’ts include the following:


Do not participate in any strenuous exercise for the first 24 hours


Avoid sun exposure for 3-6 weeks. When going out, a sunscreen should be applied


Avoid tanning for at least 4-6 weeks otherwise you will develop  permanent skin discoloration


Avoid waxing, shaving or plucking hair from the treated site for several days


Keep the skin area clean and moisturized


If you cannot follow these simple instructions, then you should not undergo laser hair removal

What can I expect after laser hair removal?

Laser hair removal is an outpatient procedure and there is no need for any fancy bandages, dressing or plasters. The procedure usually takes less than 45-60 minutes and you will be home sooner than you think.  After the procedure, you may develop some mild pain, swelling and redness- this is of course natural when you start to burn your body with a light source. The pain can be managed with over the counter medications unless the technician has burnt you badly. These symptoms will generally disappear over the next 2-3 days. The treated skin area will become dry and thus it is wise to use some type of moisturizing agent.

Who responds best to laser hair removal?

Laser hair removal is not for everyone. The treatment works best in light-skinned people with dark hair compared to those with darkly pigmented skin. In most cases, multiple laser treatment sessions are required to get the best cosmetic result. The reason for this is because hair growth occurs during different cycles and not all hair are in the same cycle. Additional sessions are required to ensure that all the hairs are treated.


The laser emits a light beam that is absorbed by the hair follicle. The darker the hair, the more laser energy is required and the treatment is effective. Individuals who have light or blonde hair are very difficult to treat as the laser energy is not absorbed but reflected back. In individuals who have dark skin, the laser generally causes a nasty skin burn instead of destroying the hair follicle

What is cost of laser hair removal?

For something that may not work and does not last long, laser for hair removal is prohibitively expensive.


Laser hair removal, although much less expensive than electrolysis, requires multiple treatments, and generally costs over $1,000-$3,000 in total for most parts of the body. Generally, each laser session will cost you about $ 500. This may not sound a lot but like the car mechanic, you will have to come many more times. In most cases, 4-6 sessions.


Large areas, such as the entire back or legs, cost considerably more than this. Small areas, such as the upper lip, can be less. Individual consultation with the laser center is necessary to obtain exact pricing.


The latest surveys indicate that the average initial cost for laser hair removal starts at about $500. This is only an underestimate and variable depending on where you live and whom you see. The costs of removal for large amounts of hair are considerably higher.

Who usually performs Laser hair removal?

There are thousands of spas and cosmetic clinics all over the place clamoring for the business of hair removal. For safety and best results, talk to a board certified dermatologist or plastic surgeon. However, even if you visit these professionals, unless you are Elizabeth Taylor or Madonna, the technician is going to be doing the procedure. The doctor will only be there to tell you the costs and how you will pay.


All women who seek laser for hair removal are advised, as with all forms of medical care, to seek the center of highest quality, rather than lowest cost. Laser hair removal requires exact technique, individual attention, experience, and a trained, thoughtful, professional staff. 

I am thinking about laser hair removal. Does the procedure have any risks?

Anytime you take a heated light source and apply it to your body, something is going to be burnt and the same applies to lasers. Unfortunately, no one keeps a track record of complications induced by lasers but you can rest assured there are plenty. Cyberspace has thousands of negative reports on laser. Some of the more common complications of laser include:

-hyper pigmentation: darkening of skin is usually a temporary feature but in some fair skinned individuals may be permanent

-hypopigmentation: lightening of skin can occur in dark skinned individuals. This is also a permanent complication

-Blistering and scarring can occur from excess heat or if you had a recent tan prior to the procedure. Fortunately, the blistering will subside, but if you are someone with a dark skin, African American or oriental, you can develop real ugly looking keloids

- Skin texture may appear coarse for a few weeks. This may be due to excessive drying of skin

Complications from laser are more common when you go to someone who has no experience handling these devices and this includes the majority. There are many health care practitioners who also use laser to remove hair, but many either had only a weekend course or learnt the technique from a friend (very common habit among certain Orientals). Therefore, the onus is on to you to select a decent professional- of course you will have to pay more.

I am a 28 year old male and have started to lose my hair rapidly. I have been told I may have male pattern baldness. Is this true?

Men who develop androgenic alopecia (male pattern baldness) may experience hair loss as early as the early teenage years. The hair loss gets more progressive through the ensuing years and the results become more noticeable on the scalp. The hair loss typically begins at the temples and crown. The end result of hair loss is partial or complete baldness by the 30s to early 40s. This is an irreversible process-permanent. Nothing will bring your hair back.

The androgenic variety of alopecia has a familial connection but the actual pattern of genetic inheritance remains unknown. This type of hair loss is common in both males and females, but females rarely go bald. If any member of the family is bald, then you can rest assured that other male members of the family will have the same unfortunate event occur sometime. In most cases, when there is male pattern baldness in the family, the hair loss typically occurs at a much younger age and a lot faster.

Can you tell me just what is Alopecia areata. I am a 23 year old male and have started to lose hair from my face.

Alopecia areata is associated with temporary hair loss from the face and other areas of the body. The condition happens suddenly and results in patchy hair loss. The hair loss may be on the face or parts of the scalp. The area becomes completely devoid of hair follicles and appears smooth and white.

The cause of alopecia areata is unknown. Nevertheless, there are many speculations. Some claim that it is related to stress, a viral infection and other claim that it is autoimmune (your own body’s cell react and kill the hair cells) or bad luck. The hair loss occurs suddenly and most men are in good health and young. It is not known if there is a genetic link with alopecia areata. The good thing about the disorder is that the condition is temporary and the hair does grow back. In most cases, the hair loss persists for a few months and then all of a sudden the hair reappears. The condition can recur a few times.

Can I use saw palmetto to grow hair?

Many men take saw palmetto for hair loss in the belief that it will grow hair. The distributors of saw palmetto have hyped up the benefits of this herb claiming that is can replace all the lost hair on your head. The only people who have grown hair with saw palmetto are those who sell the product. The rest of the public has grown jack shit. Saw palmetto does grow hair and that cannot be denied. However, it is only one or two strands here and there. You can drink, eat, chew, bite, snort, inject or smell saw palmetto- you will not have any hair growth that you can brag about. Those expecting a full head of hair, you are in for a major disappointment; hair once gone, usually never comes back.

Is hair transplant safe?

In general, yes it is safe. But it is still a surgical procedure and ample complications have resulted. The most common complication is failure to take the hair transplant-meaning that the transplanted hair have fallen out. Other complications include ongoing pain, infection, bruising of the scalp, swelling of the face, injury to the nerves along side the scalp, bleeding and a poor result. You have to remember hair transplant brings a lot of money for the surgeon and today, many types of doctors are performing this art form. Many have only been for a weekend course and have no formal training in plastic surgery. There are some excellent plastic surgeons who can do a great job, but on the other hand there are just as many bad surgeons who can mess you up. For the hair maniac, one final warning- do not believe any surgeon who claims that he has never had a complication. Reports of death have been reported in Europe.

How many sessions are required for a hair transplant?

In most cases, if you look rich- you can rest assured the surgeon is going to milk you for all you got. No one ever gets a hair transplant in one session. In all cases where hair is transplanted, several surgical sessions may be needed to achieve a head full of hair. Each session is done over a period of 3-6 months. In most cases, it takes up to two years before you see the final result with a full transplant series. The extent of coverage one needs is dependent on the color and texture of the hair. Coarse, gray or light-colored hair affords better coverage than fine, dark-colored hair.

Can hair for transplant be used from other parts of the body?

Sure, hair can be used from anywhere. Plastic surgeons are not dumb and recently they have devised hair transplants by obtaining hair from other parts of the body. Some surgeons have taken hair from the armpits, others from the pubis and some even from the chest and back. The hair in these parts of the body is not characteristics of scalp hair but men being men just want hair to hide the bald spot. 
This body hair transplant is still in its infancy and long terms results are still pending. But men really do not care about tomorrow, it is today what matters.  So far, men who have had this type of procedure say it sucks big time and is very painful.  Anecdotal reports indicate that the body hair are more fragile and do not last as long as scalp hair. 
The eventual cost and a bald armpit or pubis may not be worth all the hassle in the end. Finally, plucking individual hair from the pubis and armpits is no thrilling adventure, unless one is into S & M.

Can my scalp be reduced to reveal a head full of hair?

Sure, another alternative to actual hair transplant is to create an illusion that one has a scalp full of hair. This requires reduction of the frontal balding scalp with surgery. This cosmetic procedure is only recommended for the very desperate individual who can’t afford a hat, has no hair anywhere and is very depressed (and has no friends). 
The results of this surgery suck and you will look worse than before. If you continue to lose hair, you will look like a buffon. Scalp reduction surgery is not recommended. Surgeons only do it because you are desperate and have money to waste- and they want your money.

How is hair transplant surgery done?

Hair transplant is done as an outpatient procedure. Some doctors do give a little mild sedation and others apply a topical anesthetic. This lasts a few hours and still hurts- sometimes like hell (personal experience).
Over the years, hair transplantation has been refined in technique. From the thick grafts of the old days, surgeons now transplant single follicles. Using a small needle, hair follicles are plucked out and re implanted into the recipient site. This eliminates the need to excise the skin. The procedure allows for faster healing, less trauma and no scars. However, the major disadvantage of this procedure is the cost and time. It may take an entire day to perform this procedure and the cost can be enormous.

Should I go for a hair transplant ?

Hair replacement surgery can do everything to a man- makes one look young, self confident, handsome and more appealing. But hair transplant is not for everyone. Before the procedure can be done, you must see a hair transplant surgeon. The goal of surgery is to find the most efficient uses for existing hair. One must have hair somewhere on the head to allow it to be transplanted elsewhere- if there is no hair then there is no transplantation. Completely bald males, unfortunately, will have to accept the fact that there is no treatment for them- if they feel bad or depressed, Prozac may help.

After the initial consultation, the surgeon will assess how many sessions you may require. And just like car mechanics, all hair transplant surgeons will ensure that you come back for multiple sessions (money and medicine go hand in hand).

How does one cope with hair loss?

Estimates indicate that more than 80% of men will lose their hair at some point in their lives and balding will be an accepted part of daily life. Unfortunately, for most men this is not a good option and the remedy to grow hair goes back to the time of Hippocrates. Hair loss has affected millions throughout the centuries and still today, we have no cure or treatment.

Most men suffer with hair loss, a few learn to live with it, others cry silently, some pray for a miracle, some cover up the head with a hat or a wig and the majority search cyberspace for the elusive cure for hair loss.


Loss of confidence, depression and emotional stress are common features in males who undergo premature hair loss. There is nothing positive about hair loss (except perhaps having a very small penis).

Is there a cure in sight for hair loss?

Unfortunately, we are a long ways from a drug that can grow hair. We can send men to the moon and have the technology to look at the heavens millions of years away from us (unless NASA is lying about that too), but we still do not have a cure for hair loss. Of course, there are medications, lotions, potions, herbs and nutrients, but none of them work- at least no one that will ever get back the you lost.

A strand of a new hair growing here and there is the best what these medications will do. There are thousands of products for hair cures all over the internet and touted by the pharmaceutical industry- but all of them lack scientific evidence and are not worth a dime. You may as well drink cow’s urine or yours- but hair once gone is hard to get back. The hair industry is a billion dollar business because men, it appears cannot live without two things- women and hair.