What Is Laser Beard Removal?

Laser beard removal is a type of laser hair removal generally used to eliminate beard growth in men, or even up the edges of the beard area. Women who have unwanted facial hair may also take advantage of laser beard removal. This cosmetic procedure can allow men to permanently tidy up the beard's appearance, or do away with the beard altogether, to save time and end the problems that can occur with frequent shaving, such as ingrown hairs. Men who have pale skin and dark facial hair are generally considered the best candidates for laser beard removal, since the lasers are typically more effective against darkly pigmented hairs. Darker skin can absorb the heat of the laser, increasing the risk of burns, so men with darker skin may need more frequent, shorter laser treatments to achieve the same hair removal results.

Hair removal with lasers works because the heat of the lasers harms the hair follicles, rendering them incapable of producing more hair. Dark brown and black hair follicles tend to conduct this laser heat better. Pale hairs do not typically respond well to this treatment, so men with red, blonde, or gray hair are not generally considered good candidates for laser beard removal.

Many men choose to undergo laser beard removal so they will no longer feel obliged to shave their beards daily. Patients may have the entire beard removed, but some patients choose to retain hair growth on the mustache or chin area. Women, especially post-menopausal women, can also experience beard growth. Laser beard removal for women can help remove the unwanted facial hairs that many women find embarrassing.

This procedure can cause some level of discomfort, particularly in sensitive facial areas such as the jawline. Patients with sensitive skin or particularly thick facial hair may find the procedure more uncomfortable. Dermatologists may apply an anesthetic gel to the treatment area in order to reduce discomfort during treatment.

Most patients will need multiple sessions to achieve their desired results. Hair does not typically grow constantly from all follicles. Some portion of the follicles will not be producing hair at any given time. Repeated treatments are generally necessary to stop hair growth from follicles that were not producing hair at the time of previous treatments. The length of time required for each treatment can vary greatly, depending on the size of the treatment area. Treating the entire beard area generally takes between 30 and 60 minutes.