Let’s be clear about one thing, laser hair removal is a medical procedure, as deemed by the Food and Drug Administration. Unfortunately, licensing requirements vary from state to state. Regardless, there are some considerations you should give to the person who will perform this “medical” procedure on you.

Fortunately, in the State of New Jersey, only a licensed physician can perform laser hair removal. The delegation to a non-physician (i.e. a nurse or technician) of any hair removal procedure which involves the use of either a laser or an IPLD device is prohibited by law.

The primary consideration is that the person you choose to do your laser hair removal should be a physician, specifically trained in laser hair removal. Short of a positive response, you need to know if, at a minimum, there is a board-certified physician supervising at all times.

Your second consideration should be the doctor’s area of specialization; you’re looking for a board-certified dermatologist or a cosmetic surgeon, not a podiatrist.

Third, you want to find out how long they’ve been performing laser hair removal; you want someone with experience already, not one who’s gaining it with you.

Fourth, do they own more than one laser? Different lasers work best on different skin types or colors, or hair textures.

Fifth, where did they get their laser hair removal training; preferably from a hands-on course, and not a quick lesson from the sales representative, or worse, reading it out of a manual? The person who performs laser hair removal on you should be conversant with the medical and technical aspects. You’d also expect that they would take refresher courses or continuing education on laser studies, as well as belong to laser professional associations and societies.

A referral or reference is fine, and often it is enough to put you in touch with a well qualified provider. Nonetheless, you should employ the considerations above, and use your own good judgment and gut feeling. While the cost of the service may also be a factor to you, don’t let that be the deciding factor in favor of one provider over another. Your mother always told you, “You get what you pay for.” And she’d be right about this, too. Even a specialist with high-end fees for their service may be willing to let you stretch payments or offer a discount for cash.

More information on laser hair removal regulations and licensing in New Jersey can be found at:

New Jersey State Board of Medical Examiners
140 East Front Street
Trenton, NJ 08608
Tel: 609.826-7100
Web: www.state.nj.us/lps/ca/bme/bme.htm

Board of Cosmetology
124 Halsey Street, 6th Floor
Newark, NJ 07101
Tel: 973.504-6400
Web: www.state.nj.us/lps/ca/boards.htm

Bear in mind, the interfaces for either website is not user-friendly. A better way to search for a physician trained in laser hair removal would be to do a standard Internet search, and then use the N.J. government sites to verify the credentials of a potential provider.

One thing should be perfectly clear; laser hair removal is considered a medical procedure, and is regulated by the U.S. government’s Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Sadly, there are no nation-wide licensing requirements; they vary depending on the state that the operation is within. Even so, there are some things you should take into consideration, before you give a person “license” to perform this procedure on you.

1. New York State permits non-medical practitioners to use a laser. What that means, is that even the salon’s receptionist could, theoretically, be your laser hair removal specialist. Before you allow someone to work their magic on you, consider the following:
2. The individual you choose to should be a physician, preferably board-certified, and trained specifically in laser hair removal. If the person is not, you need to learn whether or not there is a physician who supervises.
3. You want to ensure that the physician on staff is qualified to handle any problems that may arise, as it pertains to the procedure. An ob/gyn obviously will not have the same specialization as a cosmetic surgeon or dermatologist who would know exactly how to treat you in the event of accidental overexposure of the laser to your skin.
4. The person performing the laser hair removal should already have strong experience, and not be using you as a guinea pig.
5. You need to find out if they own several lasers. Your specialist is aware that different lasers work better depending on the individual, as regards skin type, color or hair texture.
6. How much training did they receive on the laser, and from where did they get it? You are ideally looking for training and participation at the hands-on level, not from a lesson from the sales rep. The individual should be familiar with the technical and well as the medical aspects and possible results. They should also belong to a professional society or association, and take continuing education classes to improve their skills.

A reference from a friend is good; it’s often enough to find a good provider. But, you should still discuss the above issues, and use your own judgment. If your gut feeling says “no,” trust it.

If the cost of the laser hair removal is important to you, you still shouldn’t let it be the deciding factor. Your mother was right when she told you that when you buy cheap, you get cheap. Specialists with higher end fees may be willing to allow monthly payments or provide a cash discount. It doesn’t cost anything to ask.

For more information, including regulations and licensing requirements for laser hair removal centers in New York, please visit:

New York State Education Department
89 Washington Avenue
Albany, New York 12234-1000
Tel: 518.474-3817
Web: www.op.nysed.gov/medcontact.htm

Department of State Division of Licensing Services
84 Holland Avenue
Albany, NY 12208
Tel: 518.474-4429
Web: www.dos.state.ny.us

It’s important to say this again, in New York State, laser hair removal operators do not need to be medical doctors or even have medical training. Keep that in mind when you make your choice.

In Georgia, there are two levels of laser practitioners that you will come across: assistant laser practitioner and senior laser practitioner, and the licensing requirements are marginally different and depend on the years of experience. They do not have to be medical professionals. Facilities that provide laser services must have an agreement with a consulting physician who is trained in laser modalities and who has established proper protocols, and who should be available for an emergency consultation. This does not necessarily mean that a medical practitioner must be on-site at all times.

You should be aware that the FDA considers laser hair removal a medical procedure. The problem is that individual states have different licensing requirements; there is no nation-wide standard. All things considered, before you allow a person to perform laser hair removal, bear in mind the following:

1. The person you choose should be a specialty-specific, board-certified physician, trained in laser hair removal. If the individual isn’t a physician, ask whether or not a physician supervises.
2. You want to be sure that the staff doctor is medically capable of handling any potential problems as it relates to the procedure. Ideally, you want a dermatologist or a plastic/cosmetic surgeon to be on staff, in the unlikely event of a laser related mishap.
3. Does the facility own more than one type of laser? Your laser specialist should be aware that different lasers are necessary for different individual, depending on the skin color or the color or texture of the hair to be removed.
4. Where did the laser hair removal specialist get their training on the specific equipment, and exactly how much training? You should look for an individual with hands-on practice and course participation, not from a quick review from the laser salesman. The specialist should also be aware of the technical and medical aspects of laser hair removal. Do they belong to an association of laser professionals, and do they take classes to keep current on new technology and techniques?

While the cost of the service may be important to you, don’t let it be the only factor. By simply asking, the laser hair removal facility may allow you to make ongoing payments, or offer a discount for payment in cash, rather than a credit card.

A friend’s referral is a good starting point, and often sufficient to find a qualified laser specialist. Still, you should still talk to the specialist about issues above, and use your own good judgment. Trust your gut feelings.

For more information on licensing requirements in the State of Georgia follow these links:

Georgia Composite State Board of Medical Examiners
2 Peachtree Street, N.W., 36th Floor
Atlanta, Georgia 30303-3465
TEL: 404.656-3913
Web: www.medicalboard.state.ga.us

Georgia Board of Cosmetology
237 Coliseum Drive
Macon, GA 31217
Tel: 912.207.1441
Web: www.sos.state.ga.us

In Connecticut, the person who performs laser hair removal can be a medical doctor, or a designated health care professional such as a registered or licensed nurse, physician’s assistance, paramedic or an electrologist all of whom work under the supervision of a medical doctor; in all instances, a physician must be on-site.

Before you give a person permission to carry out laser hair removal, you should keep the following considerations in mind:

1. The Food and Drug Administration deems removal of hair which employs lasers a medical procedure. Individual states have their own licensing requirements, and may or may not require a medical practitioner even be on staff at a laser hair removal facility. Fortunately, Connecticut does require that, at all times, a medical doctor be available.
2. Under ideal circumstances, the staff doctor should be either a board certified dermatologist or a board-certified cosmetic surgeon. Certainly, a doctor from another specialty is capable of rendering medical assistance if needed, but since the laser hair removal procedure deals specifically with your skin, you want one who is an expert in the field.
3. Ask whether or not the facility has more than one laser? Different individuals have different needs and certain lasers do better on one skin or hair type than another.
4. Be sure that the person assigned to your hair removal process has been well trained on the laser equipment that they will use on you? The amount of training is important, as is the quality of the training. Course participation on laser technique is preferable to laser instruction from a video or book.
5. Is the specialist aware of the medical as well as the technical aspects of using a laser? Do they understand the mechanics of the laser, and have a good knowledge of physiology and understanding of hair growth cycles?
6. Does the specialist belong to a professional association, and are they up-to-date on technology and techniques?
7. What will be your cost for the laser hair removal process for your individual needs, specifically, not in general? You shouldn’t let the price be your deciding factor; even a high priced salon may offer a payment plan.
8. Ask for referrals if you don’t have any of your own.
9. Trust your judgment. If, after your initial consultation, you don’t feel comfortable with the answers to your questions, the process or the facility itself, don’t proceed further.

For additional information on laser hair removal regulations and licensing in Connecticut, please check the following websites:

State of Connecticut, Department of Public Health
410 Capitol Avenue – PO Box 340308
Hartford, CT 06134-0308
Tel: 860.509-8000
Web: www.dph.state.ct.us

Connecticut Department of Public Health Office of Examiners of Electrologists Board of Hypertrichologist
410 Capitol Avenue MS#13PHO
Hartford, CT 06134-0308
Tel: 860.509-7648

Connecticut Department of Public Health Office of Practitioner Licensing & Certification
410 Capitol Avenue MS#12APP
Hartford, CT 06134-0308
Tel: 860.509-7603
Web: www.dph.state.ct.us

In the State of Texas, a facility which provides laser hair removal services only requires the supervision of a licensed practitioner, with medical training, but that person is not required to be on-site. Currently, there is currently a motion before the Texas Board of Medical Examiners which would place more stringent controls on laser hair removal facilities, requiring a physician to physically be present for the treatment, but laser hair removal operators throughout the state are fighting the requirement.

Laser hair removal is considered a medical procedure, according to the FDA. Licensing restrictions and requirements vary among the states, as there is no nation-wide regulation. Before you give an individual permission to perform this medical procedure on you, consider this:

1. Is the staff medical doctor trained in dermatology or cosmetic surgery? Are they board certified in their field? When is the doctor on the premises?
2. Do they employ more than one kind of laser? Is the specialist conversant with the medical and technical aspects of the laser? Can they clearly explain to you why they choose a particular laser over another? You want to be sure that they are familiar with the capabilities of the specific laser that they use.
3. Where and how much laser training did your specialist receive? How was the training enacted? Was it hands-on, video or book study? The more in-depth their training, the more comfortable they will be with the laser.
4. Are they a member of a laser society or association, so that they are kept abreast of current techniques and technology?
5. How much experience do they have, practical not theoretical? You do not want a specialist at the front end of their learning curve.
6. Can you get several verifiable referrals from them? Don’t take this at face value. Make the phone calls, and don’t ask questions that will provide a simple yes or no answer, you want to get a real feel for this person. The referrals should be specific to the specialist, not the facility.
7. How much will this cost you, based on your specific needs? Cost should be a consideration, but not the only one. Don’t accept a facility because they give you the best price or the highest price; price is not an indication of bad or good service.

For specific information on Texas-based laser hair removal facilities as well as licensing and regulations you should check out the following websites:

Texas State Board of Medical Examiners
333 Guadalupe
Tower Three – Suite 610
PO Box 2018
Austin, TX 78768-7008
Tel: 512.305-7010
Web: www.tsbme.state.tx.us

Cosmetology Commission
P.O. Box 26700
Austin, TX 78755-0700
Tel: 512.454-4674
Web: www.txcc.state.tx.us

But how you plan to take care of your excessive hair problem depends on the extent off the problem itself, in other words, how much body hair removal is actually needed. Thick, bushy, coarse hair which spreads over an extensive area may require professional help, but a sparse growth may allow you to use any number of home hair removal products, which are readily available.

Men, naturally, have different hair removal needs, but that is because their hair is textured differently from a woman's. Still the number of mens hair removal products on the market means that they, too, can be rid of unwanted hair, without the embarrassment of buying a product earmarked for women, usually sold with fancy pink packaging and smelling of gardenias.

Now, as regards the removal of a little facial hair, whether thinning your eyebrows or eliminating peach fuzz, you have to remember one crucial thing — this is your face. You might think that it's a relatively minor problem and believe that you can do a satisfactory at-home job. Trust me, you don't want a botched job; you can't wear a paper bag over your head until your eyebrows grow back. And whether or not you want a temporary or permanent solution to facial hair removal, visit a professional. A little at-home tweezing now and then is not going to be detrimental (unless you're one of those people who chronically over-tweezes, à la Joan Crawford), but permanent hair removal is not a do-it-yourself proposition, so despite claims to the contrary, don't even consider it.

Let's move down the body a bit, shall we? Underarm hair removal is a personal preference. Some women (and men) prefer the clean shaven look, and year-round, are willing to shave it off at every shower or bath; it's a simple, fast, inexpensive fix. For a permanent solution, there's only one option, and that's electrolysis, for which you need to see a specialist.

Going down the body farther still, we have to address the crux of swimsuit anxiety (winter weight gain notwithstanding): bikini line hair removal and female and male pubic hair removal. Notice I don't draw a distinction between female and male bikini lines. That's because, in general, women don't want unattractive hair sprouting above their bikini waistband and men prefer a little hair poking out above their swim trunks, because they know that, in the right amount, women consider it very sexy.

Home hair removal versus professional hair removal, at least as it pertains to pubic hair removal, depends on many factors, not the least of which is embarrassment. It's one thing to bare yourself to your significant other, and quite another thing to a complete stranger. Not everyone, male or female, is that comfortable in their own skin (or hair!) to do that.

Very few people are 100% happy with their body, and there are a lot of changes that a person can make, if they’re committed, to achieving a body that they’re happy with, but nothing provides the gratification you get with unwanted hair removal. Whether it’s tweezing your eyebrows or having your legs waxed, do you feel great when you walk out of that salon.

Instant Hair Removal

There are lots of ways to achieve the “instant gratification” of hair removal, but the instant kind offers only a temporary high. If you’re willing to wait many weeks, or even months, you can maintain that good feeling for a very long time.

The most common hair removal products and methods are temporary and include: Depilatory Creams, Shaving and Waxing, Sugaring and Threading

All of these can be done at home, through kits you can purchase at your local pharmacy, or at a salon that specializes in hair removal. For the most part, the temporary choices are relatively inexpensive, ranging from $1 for a new razor to $75 or so for a full leg waxing.

Long Term Hair Removal

If you opt for a long term solution to unwanted hair removal, there are only two choices:

• Laser hair reduction
• Electrolysis hair removal

Both need to be performed by a professional, and may require several treatments before they can be deemed successful. Most individuals require between 3 and 5 sessions, with an in-between waiting period of several weeks, to allow time for the hair that was in the dormant stage, to reach the growth stage. The cost involved with these more long lasting solutions can be expensive, especially when compared to the temporary choices.

Whether your preference is for temporary or permanent hair removal, it will no doubt be wonderful to be rid of that unwanted hair.

Granted, that distinction is confusing. But what’s not confusing is this: laser hair removal treatment is a viable option to electrolysis, and should be considered a good alternative which has its own distinct variables, as regards treatment, equipment, specialist training, and ultimate cost to the consumer.

The laser hair removal treatment process is fairly simple. Just prior to starting treatment, they will likely apply to your skin a protective cool gel. Then, the specialist holds a hand-held laser device to the skin. The laser’s light passes through the surface to the hair follicles and the heat which is generated from the laser destroys the hair follicle, which effectively suppresses future growth. How long the treatment takes depends on how much hair is removed, as well as the skill of the specialist and the quality of the laser.

In simple language, the laser hair removal equipment used by the specialist is a device that generates a thin light beam which “looks” beneath the skin for a cluster of hair follicles (as opposed to a single one) and destroys the root. There are three laser types, each one will provide better results given certain factors, such as an individual’s skin color, hair color or hair texture. You should trust that your specialist will know which one is best for you, and hopefully will have access to all three types, but even if they only have one type, it isn’t as though you would be excluded for treatment, just that the time and result may vary.

Unfortunately, laser hair removal training and regulation varies from state to state, and even salon to salon. At a minimum, you should look for a specialist who is medically trained; you are after all, going under a laser and in the event of a mishap, they will be capable of rendering assistance. It’s important that you check with your state licensing board to establish who qualifies as a practitioner licensed to provide laser hair removal treatment.

Finally, laser hair removal costs depend on a great number of factors, not the least of which is the location of the salon. Typically, salons located in major cities charge more, since they have higher overhead costs. Your own personal needs also affects the price, by that I mean, the area of the body from which you’re having hair removed, how much hair is to be removed, and how many treatments may be required, to capture all hair growth over a period of time, and how fast your hair grows depends on your own personal hair growth cycle.

But how you plan to take care of your excessive hair problem depends on the extent off the problem itself, in other words, how much body hair removal is actually needed. Thick, bushy, coarse hair which spreads over an extensive area may require professional help, but a sparse growth may allow you to use any number of home hair removal products, which are readily available.

Men, naturally, have different hair removal needs, but that is because their hair is textured differently from a woman’s. Still the number of mens hair removal products on the market means that they, too, can be rid of unwanted hair, without the embarrassment of buying a product earmarked for women, usually sold with fancy pink packaging and smelling of gardenias.

Now, as regards the removal of a little facial hair, whether thinning your eyebrows or eliminating peach fuzz, you have to remember one crucial thing — this is your face. You might think that it’s a relatively minor problem and believe that you can do a satisfactory at-home job. Trust me, you don’t want a botched job; you can’t wear a paper bag over your head until your eyebrows grow back. And whether or not you want a temporary or permanent solution to facial hair removal, visit a professional. A little at-home tweezing now and then is not going to be detrimental (unless you’re one of those people who chronically over-tweezes, à la Joan Crawford), but permanent hair removal is not a do-it-yourself proposition, so despite claims to the contrary, don’t even consider it.

Let’s move down the body a bit, shall we? Underarm hair removal is a personal preference. Some women (and men) prefer the clean shaven look, and year-round, are willing to shave it off at every shower or bath; it’s a simple, fast, inexpensive fix. For a permanent solution, there’s only one option, and that’s electrolysis, for which you need to see a specialist.

Going down the body farther still, we have to address the crux of swimsuit anxiety (winter weight gain notwithstanding): bikini line hair removal and female and male pubic hair removal. Notice I don’t draw a distinction between female and male bikini lines. That’s because, in general, women don’t want unattractive hair sprouting above their bikini waistband and men prefer a little hair poking out above their swim trunks, because they know that, in the right amount, women consider it very sexy.

Home hair removal versus professional hair removal, at least as it pertains to the pubis, depends on many factors, not the least of which is embarrassment. It’s one thing to bare yourself to your significant other, and quite another thing to a complete stranger. Not everyone, male or female, is that comfortable in their own skin (or hair!) to do that.

There’s more to men’s hair removal than just shaving. More and more men, and not just body builders, swimmers and other athletes, regularly have their body hair removed. Sometimes it’s for medical reasons, but just as often, it’s for comfort and aesthetics.

Because men tend to have hair and skin which is generally thicker, coarser or tougher than women’s, treatment for them may be entirely different. The choice of treatment will depend on which part of the body the hair is to be removed from, as well as how permanent (or otherwise) the hair removal should be.

For hair removal from head to toe, let’s take a look at men’s parts and the best way to remove unwanted hair.

Upper Lip, Chin, Mustache and Beard:
Shaving is the method of choice for temporary hair removal, though men who are subject to razor bumps (usually black men) and ingrown hair, often choose a depilatory specifically made for black skin. Waxing is another option, and it can be done at home or in a salon.

Chest:
Not every man enjoys a hairy chest, and if you don’t or perhaps your partner doesn’t, you can consider waxing, shaving, or depilatories. Often times, shaving is an unacceptable option, because of the irritation factor when the stubble reappears, as well as the problem of ingrown hairs.

Shoulders, back and stomach:
Waxing is the best method for these areas. You can either use a home waxing kit (though you’ll obviously need some help for the shoulders and back), or have a professional waxing. A hot shower directly after waxing the back helps eliminate the possibility of skin redness and acne breakouts.

Underarms:
Shaving is generally preferred; underarm hair grows in many different directions, so an up and down and then a side-to-side stroke will effectively shave this off. Waxing is another temporary option to consider, but can be painful when done. Depilatories are not a good choice, because the skin under your arm is very sensitive.

Pubic Area and Bikini Line:
If the hair is long it should be trimmed first. Shaving or waxing is a good choice for male pubic hair removal. Naturally, extreme caution should be used when bringing any sharp instrument in contact with this delicate area. You should also be aware that waxing involves a certain degree of pain.

Legs, Feet, Toes:
While still relatively uncommon, hair removal of the lower extremities is sometimes done if there is a significant amount of undesirable hair. Shaving, waxing or using a depilatory are perfectly acceptable temporary measures.

All of these measures provide only temporary respite from unwanted hair. Men who desire a long term solution to the problem should consider laser hair reduction or electrolysis, both of which need to be performed by professionals. Even for a home handy-man, these are not do-it-yourself type of jobs.