Interrupting the normal hair regrowth process, laser hair removal for the face uses intense pulses of light to destroy unwanted facial hair. Many people who undergo laser hair removal report no side effects, however, some report pain and discomfort during treatment as well as redness and swelling at the site of application. Skin irritation may also occur, especially if you have sensitive skin. Check out The Laser Center’s blog post to learn more about laser hair removal for the face!
Laser hair removal is safe for teenagers and adults. It’s a great way to deal with unwanted hair, particularly if you’re trying to grow your hair back. However, there are some important things you need to consider before you decide to have laser hair removal done on your face or body.
Read on to learn more about Is Laser Hair Removal Safe For The Face, Is Laser Hair Removal Safe In General? and Are There Any Risks or Side Effects?
Is Laser Hair Removal Safe For The Face
Laser hair removal on the face is a noninvasive medical procedure that uses a beam of light (a laser) to remove hair from the face. It can be done on other parts of the body too, like the armpits, legs, or bikini area, but on the face it’s used primarily around the mouth, chin, or cheeks.
There was a time when laser hair removal worked best on people with dark hair and light skin, but now, thanks to advancements in laser technology, it’s a suitable procedure for anyone who has unwanted hair they’d like to remove. It’s a very common procedure. Data from the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery showed that in 2016, laser hair removal was one of the top 5 nonsurgical procedures in the United States.
Yes. A laser hair removal face professional will help you decide which troublesome locations are best treated with the laser.
The most common facial locations for laser hair removal are:
- upper lip
- chin
- beard area
- eyebrows
- sideburns
HOW IS LASER HAIR REMOVAL DONE ON FACE?
Laser hair removal on the face works in the same way it does on other parts of the body. In the office, the procedure will generally follow these steps:
- You will have a brief consultation to verify what treatment is appropriate, and which locations on your face are to be treated.
- Your face will be prepped for the procedure. This may involve using a facial pencil for marking, shaving the current hair, or putting gel on the treatment area.
- You will be given eye protection.
- The hand-held laser device will be used systematically across the treatment zone.
- Your face will be cleaned, and you will be given post-treatment instructions.
So, can you do laser hair removal on your face?
Yes, and the treatment time is very quick. Most sessions take 10-15 minutes, with the actual laser treatment lasting only 1-5 minutes.
HOW EFFECTIVE IS LASER HAIR REMOVAL FOR FACE?
Laser hair removal is an effective method of removing hair on any part of your body; the number of treatments is dependent on the area treated in addition to your skin and hair type.
According to that massive study that began in 2005, facial hair was treated to a nearly 80% removal in an average of five treatments.
But, how is laser hair removal effective on face? Especially interesting is comparing this effectiveness to other popular hair removal treatments like electrolysis and waxing.
Laser hair removal is more effective than electrolysis or waxing for facial hair.
A study published in 2001 in Dermatologic Surgery systematically compared three hair removal methods in thirty subjects. Hair removal from the face was one body area that the study chose to research using needle electrolysis, hot wax, and laser hair removal.
The results showed that laser hair removal yielded a significant amount of hair loss after only the first visit, as compared to electrolysis or waxing which showed no notable difference in growth.
Is Laser Hair Removal Safe In General?
The laser used for hair removal is a medically-appropriate device that emits a concentrated beam of light.
Using laser hair removal technology is a safe way to get rid of unwanted hair. Most people find the procedure to be quick and easily tolerated.
Is laser hair removal good for skin?
It is important to understand how laser hair removal works in order to understand why it does not harm your skin.
Laser hair removal works on hair follicles because the energy from the laser is absorbed by the melanin in the hair.
- Melanin is the pigment that gives hair and skin its color; one of its primary duties is to absorb light energy, which helps protect the skin from sun damage.
During a laser hair removal procedure, the melanin in the hair absorbs the laser energy into the hair follicle where it causes damage.
- Hair follicles are tiny organs that grow within the second layer of skin; they regulate and grow hair. The human body has many different types of hair. These variations are determined by the follicle and its behavior.
When it is treated with the laser, the damage hinders the hair follicle’s ability to grow hair.
Damaging the hair follicle during laser hair removal does not usually have any side effects. On occasion, the epidermis around the follicle can become irritated and red for a couple of hours after a treatment.
- The epidermis is the outer layer of your skin; its primary job is to protect your body from the environment, so it contains the melanin that keeps you protected from the sun’s rays.
Because the energy pulsed from the laser hair removal device is absorbed by melanin, the treatment sometimes varies for people with lighter hair and those with less contrast between their hair and skin pigmentation. Different laser types may be used for better results depending on your skin and hair color.
On occasion, treatments for people with low contrast – meaning hair and skin color which are similar – have resulted in temporary skin lightening. You can help avoid this by staying out of the sun before and after treatment and following the instructions for your procedure.
Are There Any Risks or Side Effects?
Severe side effects or complications related to laser hair removal on the face are rare. Side effects will typically resolve on their own and may include:
- redness
- swelling
- skin irritation
In rare cases, more serious side effects of laser hair removal include:
- infection
- permanent changes in skin tone or color
- blisters
- burns
- scarring
What to expect after laser hair removal on the face?
In the days following laser hair removal, you can expect to resume most of your normal activities, though you should refrain from exercise and direct sun exposure.
Expect to be a bit patient — it may take up to 2 to 3 weeks for you to see a noticeable difference in hair growth, and it may take several sessions to see full results.
Results should be permanent, though you will likely need one yearly maintenance appointm