There are people blessed with fine, barely-there hair, and then there are some who thrive in that department (hello, hairy legs!). If you’re part of the latter, you’ve probably undergone many hair removal procedures like plucking, waxing, and shaving. But have you ever tried laser treatments (zapping unwanted hair)? Here four things you should know about laser hair removal before heading to your favorite derma clinic.

There are different kinds of laser treatments.
There are a variety of lasers for hair removal: the IPL (Intense Pulse Light), the Ruby and the Alaxandrite lasers, and the diode lasers. The latter is said to hurt less, produce better results, and work faster.

Plucking or waxing is not allowed before your treatment.
Step away from the blades and razors. Once you’ve decided that you want to get a laser treatment, you’ll have to stop plucking or waxing your hair. "This is a precaution to ensure that your hair follicles are in the proper growth stage prior to the hair-removal process," says Paul Flashner, M.D., chief medical director of American Laser Skincare.

It’s not permanent.
According to Charles Bollman, fellow of the American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery and OBGYN, laser treatments only slow hair re-growth, “It takes several treatments to achieve an extended period of no hair growth.”

Laser treatments are costly.
Prices for each treatment can cost from P1,500 to P 5,000 per session, and some treatments require several return visits to the derma. Before making your first appointment, make sure you are fully committed to attend your sessions, so you don’t end up quitting halfway and wasting your investment in the long run.

PHOTO: Dayne Barron/Flickr Creative Commons