Is It Ok To Play With A Laser With Your Dog>While shopping for a dog’s laser toy, there are many factors to think about. Make sure the laser toy won’t harm your dog first and foremost. While most dogs will enjoy the opportunity to chase a laser pointer across the floor, there is always the risk that one of them would become overly excited or violent and do harm. If this is the case, your pet would benefit from a more complex interactive toy than a simple laser pointer.
You can get one of these toys for your dog if he or she isn’t violent and you know he or she will love chasing after a laser pointer. If it doesn’t work, you might always try some other games like fetch or tug-of-war. A laser beam’s focused light could cause permanent eye damage and disorientation to your pet. The risk of beaming the laser into your dog’s eyes is enhanced because your dog can move swiftly when playing.
Dogs have been known to enjoy playing with laser pointers for years, but is this a safe activity? It’s trickier than you may think to figure out if you should utilize them. The truth is that they are expressly forbidden in some locations. But, there are many more places where they can be used lawfully, albeit with stipulations (be sure to check your local laws). Read on to learn more on laser pointer for dogs and how to reverse laser pointer syndrome in dogs.
Is It Ok To Play With A Laser With Your Dog
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- lure coursing
Ever seen someone use a laser pointer to play with their dog? Many owners think it’s funny to watch their dog chase that little red dot of light, and they think it’s a bonus to burn off some of their dog’s energy.
Unfortunately, a game of laser pointer chase can be very frustrating for a dog and can lead to behavioral problems.
The movement of a laser pointer triggers a dog’s prey drive, which means they want to chase it. It’s an unending game with no closure for the dog since they can’t ever catch that beam of light, like they can when chasing a toy or food.
Many dogs continue looking for the light beam after the laser pointer has been put away; this is confusing for your dog because the prey has simply disappeared. This can create obsessive compulsive behaviors like frantically looking around for the light, staring at the last location they saw the light, and becoming reactive to flashes of light (such as your watch face catching the sunlight and reflecting on the wall, or the glare of your tablet screen on the floor). Dogs that exhibit behavioral issues are frustrated, confused, and anxious.
If your dog loves to chase but you don’t always have the energy to run around with a toy, try a flirt pole. A flirt pole is like a fishing rod; it is comprised of a rigid stick section with a string or rope attached to the end. Commercially made flirt poles are sold by pet supply stores, but horse lunge whips also work well.
You can tie a toy to the end of the rope and drag it around for your dog to chase and tug with once he’s caught it. The advantage of the rigid section is that you can fling the toy around without having to move much yourself. You can even sit in your recliner!
If your dog loves to chase a toy on a flirt pole, then give your dog the ultimate chance to exercise their prey drive at an AKC Coursing Ability Test (CAT)!
This sport involves dogs chasing a “lure” – usually a white trash bag – attached to line set up around a field and controlled by a pulley system that moves the bag around the field. Dogs give chase and have a great time.
How To Reverse Laser Pointer Syndrome In Dogs
As of today, there is no cure yet for laser pointer syndrome in dogs. What vets will suggest is that you try to correct the behavior once you see your dog chasing their tail, shadow, or light. You could do this by raising your voice once they start following their tail.
But dogs of the same high-energy breeds don’t also have the same responses.
And in all honesty, it’s hard to find out which dogs will end up being frustrated as there is not enough research on how dogs respond to the laser pointers.
So to be on the safe side, it’s best to avoid using the laser pointer with your dogs. If you have cats that enjoy it, don’t flash it when your dog is around.
How to fix laser pointer syndrome in dogs?
As of today, there is no cure yet for laser pointer syndrome in dogs.
What vets will suggest is that you try to correct the behavior once you see your dog chasing their tail, shadow, or light.
You could do this by raising your voice once they start following their tail. And when they stop, make sure to give them treats.
The treats will help the dog identify what they did right (which is a lot similar to how we do positive reinforcement on humans).
Take note, though, that the reinforcement should come right after they do the action you want to do. In this case, when they stop chasing their tails or the reflection on the floor or walls.
However, we want to warn you that there is no proof that giving positive reinforcement is helpful for dogs with OCD. There is no document or research evidence of its success.
Nonetheless, we urge you to consult with a veterinarian or a dog trainer to find other ways that can help reduce the symptoms.
This is a must, especially when you notice that your dog’s behavior is starting to become unhealthy – if they keep chasing their tails and forget about their surroundings.
If you want to put some exercise into your dog’s routine, it would be healthy for them and for you to take a walk or run outside.
You can spend 15-30 minutes a day outdoors where your dogs can move freely. You can also let them play with other dogs in your area.
If they have a lot of energy, you can also consult with a dog trainer on how to best manage your dog’s energy levels.
Laser hair removal uses light to target the pigment in individual hairs. The light travels down the shaft of the hair and into the hair follicle.
The heat from the laser light destroys the hair follicle, and a hair can no longer grow from it.
Hair follows a unique growth cycle that involves resting, shedding, and growing periods. Recently removed hair that is in a resting phase will not be visible to the technician or laser, so a person may need to wait until it regrows before removing it.
For most people, laser hair removal requires several treatments over the course of 2 to 3 months.
Is laser hair removal permanent?
Hair removal from a destroyed hair follicle is permanent. However, people who undergo hair removal can expect that some hair in the targeted area will grow back.
Over time, it is possible to treat the area again to reduce the number of hairs that regrow. In some cases, it may even be possible to eliminate all hair.
Whether or not hair grows back depends on numerous factors, including the type of hair that regrows and the skill of the person removing the hair.
Most people find that when hair regrows, it is lighter and less noticeable than it was before. This is because the laser may damage the hair follicle even when it fails to destroy it.
If a hair follicle is damaged but not destroyed, the hair will eventually regrow. It can be difficult to destroy every single hair follicle, so most people will see some hair regrowth.
When hair regrows, it is possible to treat it again, so people who want to remove all the hair may need several treatments.
In some cases, hair may be too light, too short, or resistant to treatment. In these cases, a person might choose to use other hair removal methods, such as plucking stray hairs.
How long does laser hair removal last?
Laser hair removal is permanent when the hair follicle is destroyed. When the hair follicle is only damaged, the hair will eventually regrow.
The amount of time it takes for the hair to regrow depends on the person’s unique hair growth cycle. Some people have hair that grows more quickly than others. Hair that is in a resting phase will grow back more slowly than hair that is in another phase.
Most people can expect some hair regrowth within a few months. Once this happens, they can opt for more removal treatments.
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Laser Pointer For Dogs
1. Laser pointers are bad for the psychological well-being of your do
Most dogs love to chase. Whether they are chasing balls, birds, or a frisbee, chasing games are extremely stimulating and good exercise for your dog. Chasing is also a healthy way to boost your dog’s confidence and ego, because they (and you) are extremely proud when they have caught the ball, and even more so if they have retrieved it. Chasing is a natural way for dogs to release energy and it stimulates their prey drive.
The main difference with using a laser pointer as a chase toy is that your dog will never actually catch the laser. This can lead to serious confusion for your dog. The main issue is that your dog will never find closure by reaching its goal, which can lead to unhealthy obsessions and behavioral problems. Some dogs can become so obsessed with the moving red pointer that they start chasing anything that moves, like any shadows, reflective lights, and even glares from a swimming pool or a tablet screen.
Remember that your dog cannot rationalize as we humans can, nor do they understand the concept of what a laser is. Most dogs simply don’t understand where the “prey” went and would keep staring at the last place they saw it. In the example below posted by a Reddit user, this is exactly what happened to his dog. We can see just how terrible laser pointers might be for your pup from this Reddit user’s story.
In this user’s comment, he states that
“I feel horrible. I’ve got two dogs. German Shepherds. One 8 months and one 3 years. I got a laser pen and decided to have some fun. The dogs went crazy chasing it about, having a great time. That was two days ago. It has confused the older one. For two days now she’s been refusing to leave the room and hasn’t stopped looking for that red dot. Just staring blankly at the floor, ceiling, and walls. Taking her out on walks snaps her out of it until she gets back home. I feel so bad. She’s even refusing her favorite treats.”
This shows you how quickly you can mess with your dog’s head. I have seen dogs become unhealthily obsessed with chasing anything that moves, so much so that it consumes their entire day. These dogs had to go through vigorous behavioral adjustment training and rehabilitation. It is advised to stay away from laser-pointing games, in general, to avoid your dog developing unhealthy mental behaviors.
2. Laser pointers can hurt your dog’s eyes
While laser pointers can seem fun and harmless, they can cause physical damage to your dog’s eyes. Dogs have more rods in their eyes than humans. Rods are the receptors in our eyes responsible for detecting light and dark; therefore, dogs can see in the dark much better than humans can. Since dogs have more rods, they are more sensitive to light. Whether on purpose or while playing a game, shining a laser pointer into a dog’s eyes can result in permanent damage or loss of vision for your pup.
In addition, your dog might get too excited while playing with laser light. If not careful, your pup may potentially knock over tables, chairs, and anything the laser beam touches. This game may cause your pup to injure himself or small children in the house.
There are so many different alternatives for chasing games with your dog. Soft toys, balls, and frisbees can be just as fun and engaging. . If you HAVE to play a laser game with your dog, make sure to end the game with a physical goal such as a treat. This way, the laser is not the reward, but the treat at the end of the laser is. Please make sure that the laser is kept far away from your dog’s eyes while playing this game to avoid causing any injuries. Generally, it is not recommended to use a laser as a game, because it can trigger immediate obsession in some dogs and is simply not worth the risk.
Hair removal works best on people with light complexions who have dark hair. This is because the pigment contrast makes it easier for the laser to target the hair, travel into the follicle, and destroy the follicle.
People with dark skin or light hair may need more treatments than others and may find that more hair grows back.
To permanently remove hair, the technician must know how to target the hair and choose the right type of laser. Research published in 2013Trusted Source found that lasers that produce longer wavelengths work best on dark skin.
Side effects and risks
During treatment, some people experience burning, stinging, or discomfort. For this reason, many technicians apply a numbing cream to the area they are treating. However, some people may have an allergic reaction or skin irritation in response to the numbing cream.
Minor side effects are common, and may include:
- changes in the color of the skin, particularly in people with dark skin, which are usually temporary
- skin redness
- blistering or crusting of the skin
Sometimes, irritation related to hair removal can cause scarring. Damaged skin can also become infected. Though rare, skin infections can spread and become life-threatening.
Providing a detailed medical history and discussing risks and benefits can help the provider determine the right treatment, reducing the risk of serious side effects.
Following hair removal, a person should avoid sun exposure. The sun can irritate the skin, which increases the risk of blisters and scars.
People who experience intense pain, a fever, crusting, blisters, or other signs of skin damage or infection should seek medical attention.
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Cost of laser hair removal
According to 2017 statistics from the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, the average cost of a hair removal session is $293.
Most people require multiple sessions, so people should talk to their treatment provider about how many sessions they will need to work out the overall cost.
Because laser hair removal is almost always a cosmetic procedure, insurance is unlikely to cover it.
The total cost of laser hair removal depends on several factors, including who performs the treatment. Skilled providers such as dermatologists and plastic surgeons may charge more but are less likely to cause injury or side effects.
Other factors affecting the cost include:
- the number of treatments required
- how much hair regrows
- the number of hairs targeted
- the size of the area requiring treatment
Removing a small amount of hair from a region such as the upper lip will cost less than removing hair from the entire leg.
Outlook
Laser hair removal can significantly reduce the amount of body hair a person has. In most people, some hair will regrow over time.
Even when hair does regrow, there will be less overall hair, producing a smoother appearance. To get a realistic understanding of what to expect from laser hair removal, discuss treatment goals with a doctor or hair removal specialist.
Some skin complexions and hair types produce better results than others. The only way to know for sure what to expect is to talk to a doctor, a dermatologist, or another skilled practitioner.
Side effects of laser hair removal on bikini area
The hours spent shaving (and dreading having to shave)…
You’re excited that laser hair removal will remove more than just your hair. It’ll also remove insecurities with your appearance. It’ll remove hours of shaving. It’ll remove expensive razors and shaving equipment.
But, you’re worried about the side effects.
You’ve read some crazy claims that laser hair removal can increase risks of cancer, infertility, and more.
What’s true and what isn’t? This article will dive into the science of your laser hair removal procedure to let you know if it’s safe.
COMMON SIDE EFFECTS AND CONCERNS
You’re pumped about permanent hair removal, but you want to make sure that it’s safe.
There are many different hair removal methods, but the most common used today is called “laser genesis” – this is what the medical spas and hair removal clinics use. This process targets hair follicles and actually destroys them.
And there are 3 main side effect concerns that people have: 1) cancer, 2) infertility, and 3) pimples.
This section will share scientific evidence about the 3 common side effect concerns.
CANCER
But, are these headlines actually something to worry about? Can laser hair removal actually increase your risk of getting cancer?
Here’s what Heathline has to say about it:
“It’s a myth that laser hair removal can cause cancer. In fact, according to the Skin Care Foundation, the procedure is sometimes used to treat certain forms of precancerous lesions.”
So, why has there been such a buzz about laser hair removal and cancer?
The lasers used to treat unwanted hair do emit some radiation. And people often associate radiation with cancer.
But, recent data has shown that the radiation that is emitted during a laser hair removal treatment is minimal – much lower than what an average cell phone emits.
INFERTILITY
The second most common side effect that women worry about is if laser hair removal can increase risks of infertility.
Women usually ask this question during bikini line treatments. They’re worried that the lasers can go deeper than just the treated area (the hair around the bikini line) and interfere with their ovaries.
Elizabeth Hale, a professor at NYU School of Medicine, commented on this topic. She says:
“The lasers we use penetrate less than one millimeter into the skin, so there’s no way they could reach your ovaries. But even if they did—which they never, ever could—they wouldn’t do anything, anyway. They work on pigment and have no bearing on fertility.”
Therefore, there’s nothing to worry about.
PIMPLES
Younger people who decide to get laser hair removal worry about it causing acne.
Will getting laser hair removal increase your likelihood of getting pimples?
There hasn’t been any official scientific research into this, but experts in the field have discussed it.
One expert shares how laser hair removal might actually DECREASE your risk for getting pimples. They claim that:
“Laser hair removal does not pull the hair from the skin, but rather is less invasive and uses light to target the hair follicle, to prevent further growth and eventually have the hair fall out. As a result, laser hair removal may result in a decrease in breakouts.”
This is not something that you should worry about. Laser hair removal has not been clinically shown to increase acne.
ARE THERE ANY LONG TERM SIDE EFFECTS OF LASER HAIR REMOVAL?
Mayo Clinic, a highly respected medical institution, states that there are no known long-term side effects of laser hair removal.
In order to become legalized, laser hair removal had to be intensely studied in order to determine its long-term safety to our health.
But, there are known short-term, temporary side effects. Here are a few of those side effects:
REDNESS AND SWELLING
To effectively remove your unwanted hair, the laser has to target your hair follicles. During this process, the goal of the laser is to actually severely damage those hair follicles so that they’re not able to continue growing hair.
During this process of safely damaging your hair follicles, you may experience temporary redness and swelling.
TEMPORARY SKIN COLOR CHANGES
This all depends on your skin color.
We’ve seen that some patients that come in who have darker skin color may experience a lighter skin pigmentation following the procedure.
Those patients with lighter skin may experience a darker skin pigmentation following the procedure.
These changes in skin color can be exacerbated by sun exposure. That’s why we highly recommend that you avoid prolonged sun exposure following your treatment.