Is Laser Hair Removal for Legs?

by Isobel Washington

Overview

Laser hair removal is one method for removing unwanted hair without the frequency and tedium of methods like shaving, tweezing and waxing. Laser hair removal can be performed on the face, neck, back, shoulders, bikini area, and, yes, on the legs, as well.
Ideal Candidates

Ideal candidates for the most effective laser leg hair removal have light skin and dark, coarse hair. Thin, light hair is more difficult to treat, and dark-skinned or tanned patients risk hypopigmentation (white skin patches).

How It Works

Low-energy laser beams target the hair shaft and vaporize the melanin (dark pigment) present in the hair follicles. A large area can be treated at one time (a benefit over electrolysis, which only treats one hair follicle at a time).
Procedure

A topical anesthetic may be applied to the skin, which will bear slight "pinches" of pain. Sessions are about an hour, and multiple treatments are needed for the legs to ensure hairs are destroyed in their growth cycle.
Benefits

Hair is destroyed without constant daily use of razors or creams; re-growth is reduced by 10 to 25 percent, according to the American Academy of Dermatology, which also reports that the hair that grows back is lighter and finer.
Results

The Consumer Guide to Plastic Surgery reports that the results of laser hair removal for legs last 11 to 17 weeks.
Side Effects and Complications

Side effects may include discomfort, inflammation, blistering and redness, which lasts one to three days. Complications include bacterial infections, herpes simplex outbreaks, temporary or permanent skin discoloration and scarring.

Overview