Is Laser Hair Removal Safe
When it comes to getting rid of unsightly hair without resorting to surgery, many people choose laser hair removal. Whether or not laser hair removal causes pain is a valid concern. Your level of sensitivity and the nature of your work will determine the appropriate response. You may not feel as much pain with laser hair removal as you anticipate if you’ve ever had a chemical peel or other procedure in which your skin was numbed beforehand. Most patients report improvement after the first session, so it’s not simply hype. Considering that each woman is different and has different treatment needs, the success rate and cost will differ accordingly. The total sum may change depending on the aesthetician, salon/spa, the region to be treated, and the number of sessions needed.
Hair removal is a common service for both men and women. There are several methods and devices used to remove hair such as waxing, threading, epilation and shaving. Over the years, laser hair removal has gained popularity because of its many benefits over other hair removal techniques. Some of the prominent benefits include: simpler treatments, painless and convenient process. Read on to learn more about side effects of laser hair removal on bikini area and is laser hair removal permanent.
Is Laser Hair Removal Safe
Laser hair removal is usually safe and effective for most people. Only an experienced healthcare provider should perform the procedure.
Laser hair removal uses a process called selective photothermolysis. Heat from a laser destroys cells that have a lot of pigment (color). Since dark hair has a lot of pigment, it absorbs the most heat. Hair transfers heat to the hair follicles and destroys them, so hair can’t grow.
A hair follicle has to be in its anagen, or growth, stage for the procedure to work. Follicles are in different stages at different times, so most people need multiple laser treatments.
Laser hair removal is a procedure to remove unwanted hair on your body. It’s noninvasive, which means it doesn’t require any cuts in your skin. People may get this treatment on any part of their body, but the most common areas are:
- Face.
- Underarms.
- Bikini area, or any areas that grow pubic hair.
- Back.
- Legs.
How should I prepare for laser hair removal?
In the weeks leading up to your procedure, avoid tanning beds and stay out of the sun as much as possible. Naturally or artificially tanned skin can make laser hair removal less effective and lead to side effects.
Shave the area that will be treated two to three days before a treatment. Laser hair removal treatments won’t work on areas where the hair is longer than a grain of rice. After treatment begins, avoid waxing, tweezing and plucking hair in the treated areas.
What happens during laser hair removal?
Laser hair removal involves several steps. Your healthcare provider:
- Cleans the area.
- Gives you protective glasses or goggles to wear during the procedure. Your healthcare also wears protective eyewear.
- Treats your skin with the laser. It might feel like a series of stings. Some people describe it as a rubber band snapping against their skin.
Your procedure might take a few minutes or up to an hour. It depends on the size of the area that is being treated. You might smell smoke and burning hair. This is normal, and is the hair burning away from the laser’s heat.
What happens after laser hair removal?
Your skin might be red, swollen and a little painful after laser hair removal. You can use a cold compress on the treated area. Don’t expose the treated area to natural or artificial sunlight. You should be able to go back to normal activities right away.
Side Effects Of Laser Hair Removal On Bikini Area
- Blisters.
- Burns.
- Herpes outbreaks.
- Hyperpigmentation, areas of skin that are darker than the surrounding skin.
- Hypopigmentation, areas of skin that are lighter than the surrounding skin.
- Infections.
- Scars.
Anyone with extra body hair can have laser hair removal. It’s usually a cosmetic procedure. It may improve your appearance or self-image. Many people also prefer not having to shave regularly.
Sometimes laser hair removal treats excess hair growth caused by:
- Hirsutism, when women grow dark or coarse hair in areas where men usually have hair.
- Hypertrichosis, when men or women grow excess hair anywhere on their bodies.
These conditions might be the result of:
- Certain medications, including anabolic steroids and birth control pills.
- Hormone imbalances, especially increased testosterone or androgen levels.
- Inherited disorders, conditions passed from parents to children through genes.
- Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).
- Tumors that produce hormones.
Laser hair removal is most effective for people with thick, dark hair and light skin. The contrast between skin color and hair color makes it easier for the hair to absorb heat. It might not work as well for people with dark skin or hair that’s blonde, gray, white or red.
Who shouldn’t have laser hair removal?
Talk to your healthcare provider before having laser hair removal. You may need to avoid the procedure if you:
- Are pregnant.
- Are taking certain medications, such as acne treatments.
- Have genital herpes (HSV-2) or are prone to cold sores.
- Have keloid scars (raised scars).
- Have or have had skin cancer.
Is Laser Hair Removal Permanent
Most people experience hair removal that lasts several months, and it might last for years. But laser hair removal doesn’t guarantee permanent hair removal. When hair regrows, it’s usually finer and lighter in color. You might need maintenance laser treatments for long-term hair reduction.
FACE
One of the most frequently treated areas with a laser for hair removal is the face. This is an area of the body where many people, especially women, don’t want hair to grow, particularly if it is dark hair. A laser can safely remove hair from the upper lip, chin, neck, and sideburns. Since the laser only penetrates the upper layer of skin to the hair follicle, it’s completely safe to remove hair from the sensitive areas of the face.
LEGS
The skin on the legs is much tougher than the skin on the face, so the legs are a very popular area of the body to get laser treatments to remove unwanted hair. Most women have already put their legs through shaving and waxing, so laser treatment is no big deal. However, it is a big deal that you won’t have to deal with razors or wax anymore! Laser treatment makes these expenses a thing of the past.
UNDERARMS
Another area of the body that is often exposed to laser treatments to remove unwanted hair is the underarms. Women in particular have spent years shaving or waxing under their arms, only to have to deal repeatedly with razor burn or ingrown hair. Fortunately, it is extremely safe to use a laser on the skin under the arms, and in fact, it’s an area that literally takes only about a minute to complete, for both underarms.
BACK
Increasingly, men are seeking out hair removal or thinning options for their back hair. Laser treatment is perfect for this use because if someone doesn’t want to remove all their back hair, they either have to pluck out the hairs they want removed, or they can undergo laser sessions to thin it out. Waxing and shaving don’t allow for thinning at all. However, if you want to remove all back hair, this is possible with a laser as well.
CHEST
As with the back, men are trying to remove or thin their chest hair more often these days. Laser treatment is able to target specific hair follicles so that only the hair that the patient wants to be removed is targeted. This results in a thinning effect that is permanent. People who want to remove all their chest hair can definitely undergo laser treatments as well, so they can stop shaving and waxing this sensitive area of the body.