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So, you have finally decided that the unwanted hair has to go. You are sick and tired of the daily or weekly ritual of shaving, waxing, or creaming off the hair, and want a more permanent solution. Many people turn to the latest trend in hair removal - the laser.

This procedure has been touted as the permanent solution to unwanted hair removal, and has shown great promise in delivering on that claim. However, before investing your valuable time and hard earned money into laser treatments, don't you owe it to yourself to perform a little research on the procedure?

Of course you do, and the following questions and answers will assist you in making an educated decision as to whether laser treatments are right for you.

Exactly what is the laser procedure?

The laser hair removal process centers on the delivery of light, at a specified wavelength, from a handheld instrument into the skin, where it targets darker material. This material is usually the pigment found in the hair. This causes damage to the hair follicle, slowing or eliminating future growth, while not affecting the surrounding tissue area.

Is the procedure safe?

The procedure has been deemed safe by the FDA when administered by a licensed medical practitioner. Always use a licensed medical doctor, preferably a dermatologist or plastic surgeon, to perform these treatments. And don't be afraid to request customer references from your prospective doctor before signing up for treatments.

Will I need more than one treatment?

The laser procedure is generally a multi-visit hair removal process. Basically, the larger the area of unwanted hair, i.e. back or legs, the greater the number of treatments required. This should be a key factor in your decision to use this procedure, because treatments can be rather expensive.

Who is best suited for this procedure?

People who tend to respond most positively to this procedure tend to be light skinned and possess a darker hair color. The laser procedure is not as effective on unpigmented hair, such as, gray or blonde hair. Those who have darker skin tones, or tans, must be very cautious due to the risk of tissue damage. Extreme cases have been known to experience burns, lesions or even skin discoloration.

Are the results of the laser procedure permanent?

This is a question which is still being debated. Because of the relative newness of the procedure, data collection has been less than adequate. Until more experience and analysis is available, be wary of any doctor claiming that it is 100% foolproof. At present, the medical consensus is that the laser hair removal process will result in a range of outcomes, dependent on the patient's physical characteristics. In general, you can expect to experience a dramatic reduction in hair growth, and if and when hair does re-grow, it will come back lighter in color or finer in texture.

One thing to remember before committing to laser treatments is that the procedure is still relatively new and results can vary considerably. If you decide that this hair removal process is for you, your next step is to consult with a medical practitioner of your choice and ask plenty of tough questions. If you are 100% satisfied with all of the doctor's answers, then this may very well be the answer to your unwanted hair dilemma.