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Read on to learn more about Is Laser Hair Removal FSA Eligible, What You Can Expect During Laser Hair Removal and What Are The Contraindications To Laser Hair Removal?, Who Is a Good Candidate For a Chemical Peel? and What Are The Contraindications To Laser Hair Removal?
Is Laser Hair Removal FSA Eligible
Laser hair removal reimbursement is considered a cosmetic procedure and therefore not eligible for reimbursement with a flexible spending account (FSA), health savings account (HSA), health reimbursement arrangement (HRA), limited-purpose flexible spending account (LPFSA) or a dependent care flexible spending account (DCFSA).
What is laser hair removal?
Laser hair removal is one of the most commonly done cosmetic procedures in the U.S. Due to its cosmetic nature, it is not eligible for reimbursement with any of the accounts. Laser hair removal is a procedure done to remove unwanted hair for long periods of time if you prefer not to deal with the hassle of shaving, tweezing, or waxing constantly.
A concentrated beam of laser light is beamed at your hair and travels down to the root of the hair. The light is absorbed by the pigment which damages the follicle enough to slow future growth. Laser removal can prevent hair from growing anywhere from several months to years. The results vary based on the individual (WebMD).
What are the advantages?
Since the procedure prevents hair from growing for a while, you do not have to constantly shave and wax which also presents costs over time. Even with the pain factor, if the technique is performed properly, laser hair removal can still be less painful than other methods. It is also more effective for removing hair from certain large areas like the backs and legs (Self).
What are some drawbacks or factors to be wary of?
The procedure itself can be slightly painful depending on your pain tolerance. The lasers can either feel like a gentle pinch or the snap of a hot rubber band. In addition, the procedure is not permanent and is somewhat reliant on the hair’s life cycles. You need to catch hair at the growth phase in order for the procedure to be effective. A post laser removal procedure breakout is also common because the treatment leaves hair follicles open for days. The procedure can also be quite costly – up to $1,000 or more per session for large areas, with three sessions needed to thoroughly zap hair (LiveAbout).
What You Can Expect During Laser Hair Removal
Laser hair removal usually requires two to six treatments. The interval between treatments will vary depending on the location. On areas where hair grows quickly, such as the upper lip, the treatment might be repeated in four to eight weeks. On areas of slow hair growth, such as the back, the treatment might be every 12 to 16 weeks.
For each treatment you’ll wear special goggles to protect your eyes from the laser beam. An assistant might shave the site again if necessary. The doctor might apply a topical anesthetic to your skin to reduce any discomfort during treatment.
During the procedure
The doctor will press a hand-held laser instrument to your skin. Depending on the type of laser, a cooling device on the tip of the instrument or a cool gel might be used to protect your skin and lessen the risk of side effects.
When the doctor activates the laser, the laser beam will pass through your skin to the hair follicles. The intense heat from the laser beam damages the hair follicles, which inhibits hair growth. You might feel discomfort, such as a warm pinprick, and you’ll likely feel a sensation of cold from the cooling device or gel.
Treating a small area, such as the upper lip, might take only a few minutes. Treating a larger area, such as the back, might take more than an hour.
After the procedure
You might notice redness and swelling for the first few hours after laser hair removal.
To reduce any discomfort, apply ice to the treated area. If you have a skin reaction immediately after laser hair removal, the doctor might apply a steroid cream to the affected area.
After laser hair removal and between scheduled treatments, avoid sunlight and don’t use a tanning bed for six weeks or as directed by your doctor. Use a broad-spectrum SPF30 sunscreen daily.
What Are The Contraindications To Laser Hair Removal?
Tattoo
Other things that should not be done with laser hair removal include tattoos. Tattoo pigments absorb light and can divert light from the follicles as well as damaging the skin. In laser hair removal because the mechanism of the device is to capture the pigment of hair follicles. During the laser the focus of light goes to the tattoo pigments and we have unfavorable feedback from the laser for excess hair but it can also lead to dangers and damage to the skin tissue it is even possible that the tattoo will fade.
Thrombophlebitis
Phlebitis means inflammation of the vein and thrombosis means clotting. In fact if the veins especially the veins of the legs become inflamed and this inflammation is accompanied by clotting and blood clots thrombophlebitis occurs which is also called phlebitis for short. In such cases laser hair removal should not be done because the possibility of blood clots and diseases and complications caused by blood clots and embolism increases.
Pregnancy
Due to the hormonal changes that occur for pregnant mothers it has sometimes been observed that hair grows where there was no hair before such as the face neck abdomen and chest or in other areas such as the legs hair growth is faster. It is generally safe but there is currently no long-term study that examines the effects of the laser on the fetus and mother so it is recommended that you postpone the laser hair removal after delivery for added safety. Of course keep in mind that after childbirth with the balance of hormones this excess hair will be reduced a lot. So in short lasers are not unsafe for pregnant women but they still need research and after the pregnancy is over these excess hairs become less. Laser hair removal during breastfeeding is also safe but some experts recommend that this method be used less on breast hair for greater safety but ultimately the doctor s decision is the most important.
Taking photosensitive drugs
In these cases it is recommended to inform your doctor and in some cases laser hair removal should not be done until the treatment period is complete and after that laser hair removal surgery should be performed. A list of drugs that increase skin sensitivity They come to light:
Phenothiazine: An antipsychotic drug available under the brand names fluphenazine and thioridazine and chlorpromazine is one of the drugs used to treat mental disorders as well as anti-nausea. The side effects of this drug include skin sensitivity to sunlight (general skin sensitivity to light)
Fluoroquinolones: Ciprofloxacin is a fluoroquinolone that is used in the treatment of urinary tract respiratory and gastrointestinal infections etc. This drug is also available orally eye drops ampoules and other items and depending on the doctor in its specific form and dose. Comments are provided and rare side effects include dry skin and red spots on the skin. During the course of treatment with this drug if you decide to remove excess hair with laser be sure to inform your doctor and consult.
Doxycycline: An antibiotic for the treatment of some infections and the prevention of malaria which is available in pill and capsule form (maximum: capsules). The dosage also varies depending on the doctor. Due to the increased sensitivity of the skin to light when using doxycycline it is recommended to use sunscreen during the period of use even on cloudy days.
Sulfonamides: Sulfonamides have antibacterial properties. Sulfadiazine is a drug for the treatment of infection and prevention of recurrent rheumatic fever the side effects of which are hypersensitivity to light. Let yourself know. Cotrimoxazole (cotrimoxazole) is another antibiotic in this group which has the effect of intensifying photosensitivity.
Tetracycline: An antibacterial drug used for oral infections of the genital tract etc. Another use for this medicine is to treat acne and pimples. Side effects of this drug can increase the body s sensitivity to light in general so it is recommended to consult your doctor for laser hair removal during your treatment.
NSAIDs or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs): Drugs such as ibuprofen naproxen and celecoxibe which are non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) can increase the skin s sensitivity to light. We have sensitive skin. It is better to seek the opinion of your doctor about the simultaneous use of these drugs and laser hair removal.
Retinoids: Drugs used to treat acne such as isotretinoin which helps treat acne by inhibiting the activity of sebaceous glands in the skin. . Another drug in the category of retinoids is acitretin which is used as oral capsules in the treatment of psoriasis and other diseases and its side effects can include urticaria and angioedema (an allergic reaction that affects tissues deeper than the skin surface). He pointed out that it is recommended to consult with your doctor about taking these two drugs and deciding on laser hair removal.
Blood sugar lowering drugs: A number of blood sugar lowering drugs such as glipizide help control insulin by stimulating the release of insulin and increasing its sensitivity but they also have skin side effects such as redness itching hives and increased skin sensitivity to light. . Glibenclamid which is available in many brands under the brand name (Apogiboride Daunil Glibenclamide Glimencide etc.) helps control blood sugar by reducing insulin resistance and its relatively common side effects include: An allergic reaction (redness of the skin rash itching and hives) is noted and it is recommended that you consult your doctor when deciding on a laser for your excess hair.
Diuretics (diuretics): Medications such as frusemide and bumetanide (treatment of heart disease) and hydrochlorothiazide which generally reduce blood pressure and help treat cardiovascular disease. Sensitivity of the skin and sensitivity to light.
Enalapril: An antihypertensive drug available on the market in pill form has side effects one of which in rare cases is hypersensitivity to light.
Amiodarone: Oral and injectable amiodarone help control single heart (increase heart rate) by prolonging the action potential of heart tissue. Side effects of this drug include skin sensitivity to light and Steven Johnson syndrome.
Tanning and sunbathing
In these conditions the possibility of burns and damage caused by laser hair removal increases and it is one of the cases that laser hair removal should not be done. Not that it is not possible to use a laser when a person has tanned their skin but tanning by removing melanin on the surface of the skin causes the laser heat to be removed from the hair follicle. In addition it has been seen in cases where tanning changes the color of hair and makes them lighter and reduces the desired effect of the laser. So it is important to avoid the sun when deciding on laser hair removal and inform your technician of any history of sunburn.