Is At Home Laser Hair Removal Safe>It’s natural to ask if it’s safe to perform laser hair removal on yourself at home. In a nutshell: sure, but with a few important disclaimers. While laser hair removal by a skilled professional is a safe operation, doing it yourself is not advised. This is because it’s tough to tell if your skin is ready for the treatment, and even more to figure out how strong of a setting will give you the greatest results given your unique complexion.
According to Dr. King, at-home laser hair removal is risk-free so long as users take precautions to avoid scorching. Unfortunately, not everyone can benefit from or even try out at-home laser hair removal.
This is a very important question that women should be asking. After all, it’s their skin! It might be cheaper to do laser hair removal at home, but price should never come before safety. The good news is you don’t have to spend thousands of dollars for professional laser hair removal treatments. Read on to learn more on best at home laser hair removal and is at home laser hair removal safe during pregnancy.
Is At Home Laser Hair Removal Safe
Laser hair removal is an excellent alternative to shaving, waxing, and plucking unwanted hairs.
From small areas such as the underarms to large areas such as the entire back, laser hair removal is a popular choice for both men and women no matter their skin tone, skin color, or hair color.
However, there’s still one question on everyone’s mind.
Is laser hair removal safe?
If safety concerns are keeping you from removing your unwanted hairs, here’s what you need to know.
If you don’t feel like reading, the key takeaway is: laser hair removal is safe when performed by a licensed professional.
How Does the Laser Work?
Unlike other hair removal methods, this procedure involves the use of laser light technology. The laser functions by emitting pulses of light energy into a targeted area of the skin, destroying both the root and the follicle of each hair. With the root and follicle destroyed, the hair cannot grow back, allowing for the permanent removal of body hair.
Patients must undergo a series of laser treatments spread out over weeks and months. This spacing is necessary to destroy the individual hair follicles and achieve permanent hair removal. Each hair goes through three stages of growth, and the hairs in a specific area of the body can all be in different stages at the same time.
Spacing out laser treatments is very important. Laser hair removal needs to occur during the active growth stage to prevent the hair follicles from regrowth.
Does Laser Hair Removal Hurt?
Laser hair removal treatments are some of the best hair removal procedures available. The laser doesn’t hurt, though it can be slightly uncomfortable. Most people say that it feels like snapping a rubber band against the skin.
The pain is minimal, and most certified clinics and technicians use cooling methods before and after treatment. Numbing the skin with the use of a cooling system significantly reduces pain during and after the hair removal procedure.
Are There Side Effects?
There are a few typical laser hair removal adverse effects. Mild discomfort, redness, and swelling are common reactions in the first few hours following therapy. Some itching has also been reported by some patients.
Aloe vera’s calming and soothing qualities on the skin make it an ideal treatment for these common side effects, but it’s best not to make things more complicated than they need to be.
Avoid strenuous activity for some time following treatment, and make sure the treated region is well covered by loose clothing to prevent sweating. It’s also important to stay out of the sun for at least 48 hours after a treatment. These unwanted consequences can manifest anywhere on the body, from the upper lip to the bikini line, and on a wide variety of skin types.
Some patients may experience serious adverse effects.
If you don’t follow up properly, you may observe scarring or experience an increased risk of infection to the hair follicle. Blistering and burns are potential outcomes. These are the only possible outcomes of laser hair removal procedures performed by an unskilled or inexperienced technician.
Attempts at laser hair removal performed at home, without the supervision of a trained professional, also account for a significant number of accidents each year. When used by a trained practitioner, the laser poses no risk of burning or blistering the skin.
When receiving laser hair removal on or near the face, it is very important to wear protective eyewear. Before undergoing laser treatment, make sure your technician gives you protective eyewear. One of the most serious risks associated with laser hair removal is potential eye injury. If your eyes aren’t protected, the laser’s pulses of light might cause serious harm.
Common Myths About Laser Hair Removal
There are two common myths about laser hair removal that are entirely untrue. Unfortunately, there are still some that people may tell you:
1. Laser hair removal can cause cancer (False).
This statement is FALSE. Laser hair removal does not cause cancer. Yes, the laser emits a small amount of radiation, but it is not enough radiation to do any damage to the skin. The only damage caused by the laser is to the hair root and the hair follicle in order to prevent further hair growth.
2. Laser hair removal can cause infertility (False).
Laser hair removal does NOT cause infertility. There is absolutely no evidence stating that laser technology can cause you to become infertile or sterile.
Is Laser Hair Removal Safe for Everyone?
This procedure is safe, but you should always consult with a professional laser technician or dermatologist before laser hair removal treatment.
Some patients, such as those with diabetes, may be at a more significant cause for risk during a laser treatment. Diabetic patients tend to heal more slowly, and that can increase the risk of getting an infection. In some cases, your technician may want to test a small patch of skin first to see how you react to the treatment.
Pregnant women and breastfeeding mothers should also avoid laser hair removal. There is not enough research to determine what effect removing hair with a laser can have on a fetus or a nursing baby. To be safe, err on the side of caution and wait until you’re done breastfeeding to begin your treatments.
How Safe is Laser Hair Removal?
Under certain circumstances, laser hair removal is a risk-free and effective method of permanently reducing the appearance of unwanted hair.
Only a trained laser hair removal professional under the supervision of a dermatologist should perform the operation.
Be sure they have properly trained and certified medical personnel on staff before you rush out to book an appointment at a local spa. Although the laser treatment is not invasive, it is not universally recognized as a legitimate medical technique.
Rules and regulations regarding who can and cannot perform laser treatments can be quite stringent in some areas. Please visit this link for a comprehensive compilation of state statutes and ordinances.
Although laser hair removal has been given the green light by the FDA, this won’t matter if your technician can’t ensure your safety.
Selecting the wrong surgeon can increase your chance of complications and leave you with blisters and burns.
Laser hair removal is safe if done by a trained professional. It won’t make you sterile or infertile, and it won’t give you cancer, either. Well performed hair removal procedures have almost no downtime. Just the hair follicles and roots that are directly in the line of fire will be harmed.
Do you continue to worry about the discomfort? Laser hair removal is one of the safest methods of reducing hair growth and eliminating it permanently, so you can rest easy. There may be some discomfort during the laser treatment, and you may experience some swelling and redness for a few of hours afterwards.
Once the discomfort of the operation has passed, however, you can relish in the smooth, hairless skin that remains without further need for waxing or plucking.
Is At Home Laser Hair Removal Safe During Pregnancy
Women’s bodies go through numerous transformations during pregnancy. Unwanted hair growth is a side effect of hormonal shifts. Laser hair removal is an option if you are experiencing unusual hair growth or if you are too pregnant to shave your legs.
How about laser hair removal though? How does laser treatment affect the human body, and more crucially, the developing baby?
Read on to find out if you may safely have laser hair removal while carrying a child.
How Does Pregnancy Affect Hair Growth?
When you’re pregnant, it’s easy to feel like you are not yourself. Some women glow with excitement and glee for nine months, while others aren’t so happy with the changes their body is going through.
During pregnancy, your hormones are pumping at an all-time high, which affects your normal hair growth cycle. During those nine months, many women start to see hair growth in unwanted places like the face, neck, belly, and breasts.
To understand how pregnancy affects hair growth, it’s essential to know how the hair growth cycle works.
The Hair Growth Cycle
Hair goes through three stages.
- In the growth stage, the hair follicle begins the process and creates the hair.
- In the intermediate phase, the hair continues to grow.
- And in the final phase, which is sometimes called the resting phase, the hair sheds or falls out.
Pregnancy hormones delay the final phase, meaning that hair doesn’t fall out as quickly. So many women notice thicker, fuller growth or new hairs appearing in places where they didn’t appear before.
It’s easy to see why many pregnant women may be attracted to laser hair removal. After all, when you’re not feeling great for nine months, a little grooming or pampering can go a long way to making you feel better.
Is Laser Hair Removal Safe For Pregnant Women?
While it is true that laser hair removal is completely safe, there have been no extensive research conducted on its potential effects on developing babies. Because of this, caution is warranted.
Laser hair removal procedures should be put on hold until after you’ve given birth.
Now that you have so much hair, what are you expected to do with it? When expecting a child, it’s safer to play it safe and avoid waxing or plucking your eyebrows. Pregnant women should also avoid more unusual hair removal treatments including waxing, depilatory lotions, and shaving. Talk to your doctor before trying anything but regular shaving if you’re worried about unwanted hair.
IPL, or intense pulsed light, treatments for hair removal have skyrocketed in popularity and accessibility in recent years. The fact that large companies like Remington and Philips have begun to invest in their own products has helped to increase public acceptance of this innovative home beauty aid.
At-home IPL systems are comparable to traditional laser hair removal systems used in clinics and beauty parlors like Primas Medispa; however, they use highly concentrated light to kill hair follicles instead of a laser light beam.
Despite the increase, concerns about safety have often discouraged individuals from trying it at home. They may not be persuaded that the benefits outweigh the expensive cost of a single device.
RISK OF BURNING AND SKIN IRRITATION
The greatest danger of laser hair removal is always the chance of burns. This holds true for both in-clinic laser treatments and DIY options. Although such incidents are extremely uncommon, it is still prudent to take safety measures and have access to medical care at all times.
With domestic technology, you must take personal responsibility to safeguard against skin damage from overexposure.
Keep in mind that home devices are not as advanced, so they may not work as well on people with darker complexion or hair. When consumers choose longer sessions or misuse to get the desired effects, they greatly increase the danger of burning since they are unaware of the limitations of the technology.
Moreover, laser hair removal frequently causes redness and skin discomfort. This is especially true if you’re targeting very delicate spots. A consultant in a clinic or Medispa can provide you advice on how to minimize side effects, treat the damaged area afterward, or both.
Individuals who opt to treat themselves at home won’t have that option and may find that specific places become extremely sensitive as a result. Stop what you’re doing and consult a doctor or skincare specialist if you notice any redness, irritation, or swelling in your skin.
The absence of adult supervision is the primary source of danger when it comes to home electronics. Especially for young children who might get their hands on their parents’ gear, this is a very risky situation to be in.
FOLLOWING INSTRUCTIONS
It is important to read the instructions completely before you proceed. There should also be some information on the types of skin and hair the device can effectively treat. It would be a mistake to approach every device the same way, and you should always pay attention to things like recommended session durations, intensity settings, skin and hair advice and suggested preparation methods.
Generally, you should always shave the area you wish to treat first and carefully change the light setting to the suitable volume. Some machines may also recommend using some kind of exfoliator between treatments, in order to reduce the risk of in-grown hairs.
Ultimately, you should always check the brand’s skin and hair charts. Many do not work if you have a darker skin tone or your hair is extremely light, so endeavouring to achieve results despite this would be a mistake – especially if this involves a greater frequency of sessions than usual.
IS THE TECHNOLOGY DIFFERENT?
The majority of at-home devices are IPL. IPL isn’t the same as laser, but instead a spectrum of light and wavelengths that reduce hair growth gradually.
A laser device on the other hand, like you would find in most clinics, salons and spas, delivers one single wave or red light to directly eliminate hair follicles. This is generally a much quicker and safer process, as it is always attended by experts who are experienced in helping clients achieve certain results.
Anyone using an IPL machine will typically find that there will be some regrowth of hair, with certain areas needing to be redone. This would be much less frequent with traditional laser light technology.
AT HOME VS. SALON LASER HAIR REMOVAL
Those who are uncomfortable going to a clinic, or who simply don’t have the time, can benefit greatly from using an at-home laser hair removal device. One common practice is to supplement professional laser treatments with repeated sessions of IPL performed at home.
A laser light removal treatment at a clinic, on the other hand, is far more powerful and the outcomes are much more trustworthy due to the access to expert knowledge and experience that you’ll have.
You won’t have to worry about the potential side effects or dangers associated with home laser removal choices because safety is a major and important issue for any facility that uses hair removal technology. If this is what you’re looking for, then contact Primas Medispa right away. We offer effective and risk-free laser hair removal services.
Best At Home Laser Hair Removal
When it comes to permanently getting rid of unsightly body hair, home laser hair removal is a top option.
The method employs a laser to permanently disable hair regrowth at the follicle level.
Several types of lasers have different advantages and disadvantages when used for at-home laser hair removal. Different lasers perform better on different types of hair and skin tones, on places with more curves or straight lines, on areas with thicker, coarser hair, or on areas with lighter, more translucent skin.
We’ll explain how it works, how much it costs, and where you can get it done in the comfort of your own home using a laser hair removal system.
Many methods exist for removing unwanted hair. There are a variety of waxing and laser treatments available.
Many people who wish to get rid of unsightly body hair investigate the possibility of using an at-home laser hair removal equipment.
Nevertheless, how efficient is this method of therapy? And what about the negative consequences? Find out if this therapy is a good fit for you by reading on.
Why do we need laser hair removal at home?
Diode lasers, which can be used for at-home laser hair removal, are used to eradicate unsightly hair from the body. The device sends out bursts of light that destroy hair follicles by focusing on the pigment melanin.
Obviously, home hair removers are much more effective than their portable versions. Yet I can’t help but worry if the at-home hair removal equipment live up to the promise as I stare at my dull razor.
What Is Laser Hair Removal?
Professional laser hair removal is a type of laser therapy that employs pulsating, highly concentrated light deep into the skin to target and destroy the hair follicles. Treatments are scheduled around the hair growth cycle, which is why sessions tend to be scheduled every four to six weeks. It can be used on most parts of the body to remove unwanted hair with semi-permanent to permanent results. Larger limbs like legs and arms are commonly treated, as are smaller areas like bikini lines, underarms, the upper lip, and chin.
Several home hair removal devices employ powerful pulsed light rather than laser therapy, which is used in professional treatments (IPL). Tony Adar, MD, a board certified dermatologist in New York City, says, “First thing to understand is that although these devices are widely referred to as ‘home lasers,’ most are not actually lasers.” Intense pulsed light is a well-known technique used in many products. In contrast to the narrow spectrum of light emitted by lasers, the visible spectrum is illuminated by IPL.
Laser hair removal and intense pulsed light (IPL) treatments for unwanted hair have a similar principle but differ in terms of their efficacy. It’s because “both act on the same premise of the light energy targeting the melanin pigment in the hair follicles to destroy them and hence erase discolouration,” he says. That is to say, “They function similarly to the professional machines in the office, but utilize smaller energy.”
Are At-Home Hair Removal Devices Safe?
First things first: If you are considering investing in an at-home hair removal device, make sure it is approved by the FDA. When used properly, the tools are safe for home use. But following the directions is key for achieving the best and safest results. “At-home lasers generate light energy that, when not used properly, can also burn the skin,” he says. “Because lasers must pass through our skin to reach the hair follicle, the skin necessarily absorbs some of that energy.”
Because of this, Dr. Adar recommends avoiding photosensitizing medication (think: antihistamines, tetracycline antibiotics, oral contraceptives) and skincare and minimizing sun exposure four weeks before introducing the at-home hair removal device and for an additional two weeks after.
Expert Tips for At-Home Laser Hair Removal
When it comes to choosing an at-home hair removal device, Dr. Adar recommends the Tria Beauty Hair Removal Laser 4X and the Silk’n Infinity. Both are cleared by the FDA and are similarly priced, but they do work differently. While the Silk’n device utilizes IPL, the Tria features a diode laser technology that more closely mimics professional treatments. Both work on fair to light brown skin and light brown to black hair.
Once you’ve decided on a device, here’s how to get the most out of it:
1. CONSIDER YOUR SKIN TONE & HAIR COLOR
Lighter skin with dark hair performs best for laser hair removal. Dr. Adar says that if you have lighter hair (think: blond, gray, and shades of red), save your money — these devices won’t work. Additionally, many at-home devices are not suitable for those with darker skin tones, so be sure to consult with a board certified provider before beginning treatment.
2. DON’T FORGET A PATCH TEST
As a best practice, Dr. Adar recommends doing a small test spot and waiting a few days to see how your skin reacts. “Never double pulse on the same spot,” he warns. “Most devices have sensors that will only allow you to fire it when there is full contact with the skin.” That sensor is also meant to protect your peepers. “Never point any laser toward your eyes, as the back of the eye (i.e. the retina) has light-sensing cells that can be damaged and in extreme cases cause permanent blindness,” he says.
3. NEVER PLUCK OR WAX
Since the lasers target the pigment in the hair follicles, they need to be present in order for the treatment to be effective. If you pluck or wax, the light will not have a way to hone in on the hair follicle root. Instead, Dr. Adar recommends shaving before each treatment to prevent the hairs above the skin from being too long and absorbing the light energy, thus diminishing effectiveness of the device.
4. START WITH CLEAN SKIN
It may seem obvious, but it bears repeating: Make sure skin is squeaky clean before treating. Ahead of using the device, remove any skincare products, which can interfere with the devices efficacy, from the face or body. Oh, and skip sunbathing. Increased pigment in the skin from a tan can interfere with treatment.
5. TAKE YOUR TIME
As with professional treatments, you should space out your at-home laser treatments. Depending on the brand and body part being treated, Dr. Adar estimates it could take four to eight sessions, spaced anywhere from two to four weeks apart (check the instructions that come with your device) for results. “Remember, removing hair at home is a marathon not a sprint,” he says. “Don’t crank up the device to the maximum setting right away. I recommend starting at the lower setting and working your way up.”
6. PREPARE FOR SOME DISCOMFORT
Since the energies used in at-home devices are lower than in-office options, they are generally better tolerated with lesser side effects. Most patients feel a zap (similar to snapping a rubber band), and some mild discomfort may be involved. Dr. Adar recommends icing the area beforehand, pointing a cool fan at the targeted area during treatment, or applying a topical anesthetic to ease pain.
7. MAINTENANCE IS KEY
IPL hair removal delivers long-term hair reduction, though maintenance will likely be needed to keep the target area free of fuzz. After your initial four to eight sessions, touch-ups can be spaced out four to six weeks apart. Dr. Adar explains that this timing is due to the life cycle of the hair follicle. “Each treatment destroys the hair follicle in place, and the hair that regrows comes in thinner and lighter,” he says. “So, these procedures are better named ‘laser hair reduction’ rather than ‘laser hair removal.’”
8. AVOID THESE AREAS
When it comes to treating skin around the eyes, tattoos, moles, or other types of skin lesions, be sure to consult with a board certified dermatologist first to avoid any unintended damage.