Laser hair removal has become one of the most common cosmetic procedures performed in the United States, ranked second behind Botox injections in frequency of procedures performed. Often the preferred method of hair removal, it's safe, effective, and more permanent than any other means such as waxing, plucking, shaving, and electrolysis.

As technology continues to advance, more new laser hair removal clinics open and business continues to thrive. Because there are multiple lasers designed for hair removal that achieve different results based on skin type and hair color, not to mention many different clinics to choose from, it can be overwhelming trying to find a place that will work for you.

As with any cosmetic procedure, the more informed you are about laser hair removal, the easier it will be for you to locate a clinic in Orlando that can provide safe and effective treatments. Below are tips to finding the right laser hair removal place for you.

First, do some basic research:

Finding an Orlando laser hair removal clinic should take more than a quick flip through the yellow pages, but it's not difficult. First, do a quick search in Google, Yahoo or Bing to find providers in your area of town. Pay attention to reviews left on sites like Yelp and Citysearch to learn what patients are saying about their experiences. Also, check with your primary care doctor to see which professionals they recommend. Finally, be sure to check with the Better Business Bureau to ensure that any practitioner you may be considering has a positive rating (B or better).

Next, ask lots of questions:

Is there a board-certified physician on the premises? Can you take a tour of the facility and meet the staff? How many clients have they treated? Do they offer a service guarantee in writing? Will you be assigned the same technician for the duration of your treatments? Will they perform a free test patch on your skin for the area you would like to have treated? Will they provide you with a list of their customers who you can speak to first hand to ask questions about their experience at that facility?

Know the risks involved:

Understand that laser hair removal is both a cosmetic and medical procedure, and as such, there are potential risks and complications. Typically, the highest risk associated with laser hair removal is equivalent to mild sunburn. However, the laser clinic should provide you with an â€Å"Informed Consent" form which explains everything you need to know about your procedure, and staff should be willing to answer any questions you may have.

Are you even a candidate?

The majority of people who claim laser hair removal doesn't work weren't appropriate candidates to begin with. Patients with dark hair and light skin are the easiest to treat and usually see the best results. However, under certain circumstances the procedure can still be effective for those with dark skin. Since the laser beam is attracted to melanin, the pigment in brown and black hair, it's not usually effective on blond, gray or red hair.

Choose a clinic that offers a free consultation and test patch to determine if laser hair removal is right for your hair and skin type. It's important to note that the procedure does not necessarily result in 100% reduction of unwanted hair in the first treatment session. While the number of treatment varies from person to person, on average most patients require at least three treatments for good results.