Shopping Cart: Men and Laser Hair Removal
While women still constitute the majority of people interested in laser hair removal, more and more men are taking the step toward permanently removing unwanted hair. The most common areas of unwanted hair for men are the back, neck and beard areas.
Men seek laser hair removal because it may be the best option for the right candidates (those with dark hair and untanned skin). Waxing can be costly and painful, while shaving can be difficult and time-consuming, especially for areas like the back.
Even though laser hair removal requires a larger initial investment than waxing, over time it can be the most cost-efficient option. For a man who waxes monthly, the cost of laser hair removal on the back can be recouped in about two years.
Most men and women find the laser hair removal process much more comfortable than waxing. Laser hair removal on the back takes approximately six treatments that last about one hour per session.
Age Spots / Brown Spots
Pigmentation on the skin commonly referred to as age spots or brown spots can be a problem for many skin types, but especially for those with fair skin. These spots are actually related more to sun exposure than age. They can appear anywhere on the face, but especially the cheeks, temples and forehead. With more frequent and prolonged sun exposure, especially at a young age; the spots can also appear on the neck, chest, hands and shoulders.
Some men and women are resigned to living with the spots or trying to cover them up. For those looking to banish the spots, there are solutions that range from low-tech, such as topical products, to high-tech such as lasers.
One of the most effective high-tech options is an intense pulsed light treatment or IPL photo facial. The IPL is pulsed over the pigmentation spots to essentially pull them to the surface of the skin. The spots will initially appear darker, and then slough off over one to two weeks as the skin naturally sheds. The end result is skin that appears smoother with pigmentation virtually erased. Typically, three to four treatments are needed to achieve desired results.
The best candidates for IPL are those with fair skin. Also, IPL does not address pigmentation from scarring or melasma. An experienced practitioner will be able to assess the different types of pigmentation and appropriate treatments.
What are brown spots and how do I get rid of them?
Brown spots, also known as hyperpigmentation, can be caused by many factors. The most common type of brown spot is the freckle, caused by a combination of sun damage and genetic predisposition. Freckles on light-to-medium skin can be treated effectively with an IPL Photofacial. This treatment is effective on not only the face, but also the chest, shoulders, hands–any sun-damaged surface of the skin. The IPL Photofacial also addresses broken capillaries (tiny red or purple surface veins)l, and stimulates collagen production for a healthy glow.
Brown spots known as melasma are caused by hormonal fluctuations within the body and can be exacerbated by sun exposure. This type of hyperpigmentation usually has a cloudy, mottled, or blotchy appearance. Brown spots due to melasma can be treated by a selection of various peels, depending upon the extent of the pigmentation, that are safe for all skin tones.
How long does Botox last?
Because Botox is a protein, the length of time its effect can last vary from person to person. In general, a Botox treatment will continue to provide anti-aging benefits that gradually wear off over the course of three to four months. To maintain treatment effects, one can be retreated before the effects of the previous treatment wear off. Some people prefer more conservative dosages to allow varying amounts of mobility after treatment, however, these people will typically tend to need retreatment sooner than someone who receives a more generous initial dosage.
Shaving vs. Waxing
It is a common misconception that shaving somehow causes hair to grow in thicker and/or darker. The reason why people often think this is that a human hair is naturally tapered; it’s thickest at the base and thins to a point at the tip. When one shaves, they cut the hair at the base where it’s thickest, and it’s this thick part of the hair that becomes more visible as the hair grows out. When waxing, the complete hair is removed at the root so that as the hair regrows it does so with its natural taper, thus appearing thinner. Repeated waxing over time can cause a slight reduction in hair growth, though laser hair removal continues to be the quickest and most reliable way to permanently reduce hair if long-term removal is the goal.
