Is It Safe To Use Laser Hair Removal At Home>When it comes to getting rid of unsightly hair, many people choose for at-home laser hair removal treatments. You can use this everywhere you have excess hair, including your face, chest, underarms, legs, and back. The use of a laser to eliminate unwanted hair is a permanent solution. It is effective because it reduces melanin production in the hair follicle. The laser light will heat up the follicle, killing it and preventing hair growth.
Many different kinds of lasers can be utilized for this purpose. CO2 lasers, Alexandrite lasers, and Nd:YAG lasers are only a few examples. Depending on your goals and the duration of your treatment, each option provides a unique level of intensity. Some people believe that the results they get from at-home options are superior because they are more in their control, and they don’t have to go anywhere or spend any money up front to find out if the method is effective enough for them.
Laser hair removal is a safe and effective method of removing unwanted hair. But what if you could remove hair at home for significantly cheaper than going to a dermatologist’s office? A new type of laser hair removal system is now available to the public, and it can be purchased from the comfort of your own home. Read on to learn more on best at home laser hair removal for men and does at home laser hair removal cause cancer.
Is It Safe To Use Laser Hair Removal At Home
Some DIY beauty tricks are totally worth it. You can save time and money by dyeing your roots or plucking your brows in the comfort of your bathroom. But laser hair removal?
While the procedure used to only be available in the dermatologist’s office, these days you can buy small devices to zap away hair yourself.
But before you kiss your razor goodbye, find out what dermatologist Rachel Ward, MD, has to say about the safety and effectiveness of these devices.
Permanent hair removal
Laser hair removal devices work by killing the hair follicle. But hair grows in cycles, and the lasers only damage follicles during an active cycle of hair growth. So it takes multiple treatments, about a month apart, to completely stop hair from regrowing.
For some people, laser hair removal is not entirely permanent. You might need a maintenance treatment every year or so to keep stray hairs from cropping up.
The process doesn’t come cheap. Professional laser hair removal can cost a couple hundred bucks per treatment, and it might take half a dozen sessions (or more) to knock out every follicle. You could rack up more than a thousand dollars in pursuit of a bald bikini line.
Meanwhile, you can order an at-home hair removal laser for somewhere in the neighborhood of $400 or $500. At first glance, it seems like a better investment. But there are some important caveats, Dr. Ward says.
At-home laser hair removal: Pros and cons
There are two types of at-home devices for hair removal. One is a true laser, and the other uses intense pulsed light. Both types remove hair, and both are less powerful than the device you’ll find at the dermatologist’s office, Dr. Ward explains.
That’s good and bad. On the one hand, with less power comes less responsibility. These devices are safe for amateurs to use at home, so you don’t have to worry about singeing yourself in the name of smooth skin. (Still, make sure you follow the directions exactly — because laser.)
But with less power also comes less effectiveness: The at-home devices don’t work as well as the pro models.
More downsides: It’s hard to cover a lot of territory — like an entire leg — with the small at-home devices, Dr. Ward says. And they might not be strong enough to get completely hair-free. “Over multiple sessions, you’ll reduce the amount of hair you see — but it probably won’t be a home run,” she says.
Who should try at-home laser hair removal?
One of the biggest drawbacks to at-home laser hair removal? The tools only work on a narrow range of hair and skin colors. The lasers zero in on pigments in the hair follicle and are only effective when there’s a lot of contrast between skin and hair. That means the systems are recommended for people with light skin and dark hair.
In people with darker skin, there’s a risk of burns — though to prevent that, many at-home devices have sensors that block them from working on darker skin.
If you don’t have the pale-skin/dark-hair combo, professional lasers are the only option. “The lasers we use in the dermatology office are more sophisticated and can be used in patients with skin of any color,” Dr. Ward says.
Laser hair removal safety
If you have the right hair and skin tones, the devices are generally safe to try, Dr. Ward says. But it’s important to use them correctly.
DON’T use them:
- Near your eyes (though the upper lip is OK).
- Over tattoos or pigmented areas, including moles.
- In the genital area (but you can safely target the bikini line).
When doing the math, consider that at-home devices might have limited battery power or contain light cartridges that will need to be replaced, Dr. Ward says. And no matter how often you use them, you might never achieve total hairlessness.
“It depends on the person, but professional hair removal usually gives you a bigger bang for your buck,” she says.
Best At Home Laser Hair Removal For Men
EVEN MEN with full beards would probably say they wish some of their hair on the rest of their body would disappear. Body hair is completely natural and nothing to be embarrassed about, but if removing it would make you feel more confident in your skin, then you should do it. Luckily, technology exists that makes it possible to permanently get rid of any and all unwanted body hair.
When it comes to hair removal, you can either go into a laser hair removal clinic or do it yourself with an at-home laser hair removal device. Dr. Jaimie DeRosa of DeRosa Center Plastic Surgery & Med Spa explains how it works to permanently stop hair from growing where you don’t want it to.
“Laser hair removal (or more correctly, laser hair reduction) works by damaging the hair follicle, thus preventing further hair growth,” he said. “The lasers used for hair removal ‘see’ the dark pigment melanin within the hair follicle, which is why laser hair removal does not work on white or grey hair.”
Laser hair removal clinics often requires multiple appointments over the span of 1-2 years before the hair is gone for good, which could end up costing you thousands of dollars in the long run. Even if stay on top of appointments and finish your course of treatments, you inevitably have to go back at least once a year for touch-up treatments to maintain your results.
You may notice downy excess body hair growing during your pregnancy but don’t be alarmed, this is quite normal and will typically go away around six months post-partum. However, what about using laser hair removal treatments during your pregnancy?
Many women find out they’re pregnant after they’ve started a course of laser hair removal and are keen to know if it’s safe to continue. We discuss the important considerations below.
HAIR GROWTH DURING PREGNANCY
If you notice hair growing on your body in some unusual places, such as your stomach, you needn’t worry about it! In fact, it’s very common to find downy, light hair growing in some unexpected places during this exciting time of your life.
This condition is known as Hirutism and many women may experience it during their pregnancy because they have higher than normal levels of androgen in their bodies, which can trigger Hirutism.
You might even notice your body hair getting darker too because this can happen due to heightened levels of melanin. This is the pigment in our bodies that is responsible for our natural colouring.
The excess body hair is typically found around the stomach, nipples and the face among other unusual areas and it can also cause your hair and nails to grow too. But, don’t despair – the good news is that this extra hair won’t stay forever and will typically disappear around six months after your delivery. However, if it doesn’t go away or is getting thicker or darker past this point, it’s a good idea to follow up with your doctor.
However, if you are concerned about the appearance of this excess hair and would like to remove it then waxing, shaving, plucking or threading are usually safe hair removal options for pregnant women.
WHAT ARE THE RISKS WHEN GETTING LASER HAIR REMOVAL DURING PREGNANCY?
Most doctors and health care professionals usually don’t recommend the use of laser hair removal treatments during pregnancy, not because of concerns about the safety to the unborn baby, but because it poses a slight risk of permanent pigmentation damage to the skin. This is because, during pregnancy, the skin’s pigmentation can change due to the androgen hormones in your body.
However, due to the lack of scientific evidence, there is no clear guidance as to whether laser hair removal beauty treatments are safe to have during pregnancy. This lack of scientific and medical research into the safety of laser hair removal during pregnancy means that we can’t say for certain how this treatment could impact on the health and development of a foetus.
CAN YOU CONTINUE LASER HAIR REMOVAL WHEN PREGNANT?
Some women become concerned about their excessive hair growth during their pregnancy and seek to use laser hair removal to remove it. Others have already started a course of laser hair removal before they realise, they’re pregnant and wonder if it’s safe to continue the treatment.
It will depend on the individual beauty spa’s insurance and internal policies for offering laser hair removal treatments, as to whether they decide to continue with a course of treatment when their patient is pregnant. In some cases, they may decide to postpone or delay the course of laser hair removal until the baby is born, just to be on the safe side.
At Primas Medispa London, we are more than happy to discuss your specific requirements should you find that you fall pregnant during a course of laser hair removal treatment at our spa. Contact our friendly team today to find out more about booking one of our laser hair removal packages.
Does At Home Laser Hair Removal Cause Cancer
The lasers used in hair removal or other skin procedures have such a minimal amount of radiation. Plus, the minimal amount is only being exacted on the surface of the skin. So, they don’t pose a risk of cancer.
During pregnancy and breastfeeding hair growth and skin changes are common. Increased amounts of hormones are the culprit for the annoying skin and hair problems. Because of these changes, women often desire laser hair removal or skin treatments during these times.
Laser for hair removal and skin treatments have been approved by the FDA since the late 1990’s. Since this time no studies have proven that laser hair or skin procedures are unsafe for pregnant or non pregnant women.
If you’re tired of traditional hair removal methods, such as shaving, you may be interested in laser hair removal. Offered by a dermatologist or other qualified and trained expert, laser hair treatments work by stopping the follicles from growing new hairs. For most people, laser hair removal is safe. The procedure also isn’t linked to any long-term side effects.
Still, discussions about the side effects of laser hair removal abound. Although temporary and minor side effects can occur after the procedure, other effects are rare. Beyond that, any claims about links to your long-term health are unfounded.
Here’s what you need to know.
Minor side effects are common
Laser hair removal works by using small, high-heat lasers. The laser may cause temporary side effects immediately after the procedure. Skin irritation and pigmentation changes are the most common side effects.
Redness and irritation
Hair removal via laser can cause temporary irritation. You may also notice slight redness and swelling at the treated area. Still, these effects are minor. They are often the same effects you might notice after other types of hair removal, such as waxing.
Your dermatologist might apply a topical anesthetic before the procedure to minimize these effects.
Overall irritation should disappear within hours of the procedure. Try applying ice packs to help reduce swelling and any pain. You should call your doctor if you experience symptoms beyond slight irritation or if the side effects worsen.
Pigmentation changes
After laser treatment, you may notice slightly darker or lighter skin. If you have light skin, you’re more likely to have darker spots from laser hair removal. The opposite is true of people with dark skin, who may have lighter spots from the procedure. However, like skin irritation, these changes are temporary and aren’t usually a cause for concern.
Severe side effects are rare
Rarely, laser hair removal can lead to more severe side effects. Your risk increases if you use at-home laser kits or if you seek treatment from a provider who isn’t trained and certified.
Rare side effects of laser hair removal include:
- Excessive hair growth in the area of treatment: Sometimes this effect is mistaken for hair shedding after the procedure
- Changes to overall skin texture: You may be at an increased risk if you have tanned recently.
- Scarring: This is most common in people who tend to scar easily.
- Blisters and skin crusting: These effects may be caused by sun exposure too soon after the procedure.
Discuss these side effects with your doctor. Although they’re extremely uncommon, it’s still a good idea to be aware of them. Call your doctor if you show any of these symptoms after laser hair removal.
Can laser hair removal be used while pregnant?
This procedure isn’t recommended during pregnancy. This is primarily due to the fact that no human studies have proved the safety of laser hair treatments during pregnancy.
You may want laser hair treatments for excessive hair that has grown during your pregnancy. Common areas of increased hair growth include the breasts and stomach. However, in most cases, these hairs fall out on their own, so you may not need any medical treatments if you wait until after your pregnancy has ended.
If you’re pregnant and looking at laser hair removal, consider waiting until after delivery. Your doctor will likely recommend that you wait several weeks to be safe.
Can laser hair removal cause cancer?
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.
Different lasers are used to treat sun damage and wrinkles. The lasers used in hair removal or other skin procedures have such a minimal amount of radiation. Plus, the minimal amount is only being exacted on the surface of the skin. So, they don’t pose a risk of cancer.
Can laser hair removal cause infertility?
It’s also a myth that laser hair removal can cause infertility. Only the skin surface is affected by the lasers, so the minimal radiation from the procedure can’t penetrate to any of your organs.
Talk to your doctor about potential risks if you’re currently trying to get pregnant.
There have been studies on pregnant rats that have shown negative effects, but incidental human exposure to laser procedures during pregnancy has not proven harmful. However, because there are no long-term studies and due to the delicate nature of pregnancy it has been recommended by most professionals that laser hair removal be postponed until after the birth of the baby. As a Certified Nurse Midwife (CNM) I would have to agree with this recommendation. It is best to err on the side of caution when it comes to the health and welfare of mom and baby!
Should I Do Laser Hair Removal When Pregnant?
Some may think that the suspension of the hair removal process would cause a lessened effect on hair removal but this is not necessarily so. The hair follicles that have been killed as a result of laser treatment will never grow hair again. Hormonal changes associated with pregnancy and breastfeeding do tend to increase hair growth but waiting until after the birth of the baby to begin or continue treatments will not effect the results. Laser hair removal during breast feeding is fine as long as it is not done on the areola or breast tissue.
As far as skin treatments are concerned the same is true during pregnancy and breastfeeding. Numbing agents are commonly used with laser skin treatments. These medications do travel through the skin to our blood supply and have been found in breast milk, so it is best to postpone laser skin treatments until after you have stopped breastfeeding. For optimum results postponing laser treatments until after pregnancy and breastfeeding is recommended especially with the edema and skin changes that are associated with this time.
- Just to be cautious laser hair removal should be postponed until after pregnancy.
- More long term studies are needed in order to recommend laser use during pregnancy.
- Numbing creams or ointments should not be used for laser treatments during pregnancy or breastfeeding.
- Postponing laser treatments that are already in progress will not negatively affect the outcome.
- If you have had laser treatment while pregnant do not panic, just postpone the treatment until after the baby arrives.