Laser hair removal has been around for years now and it is one of the most popular methods for removing unwanted body hair. Some people like to use it on their face, others choose to do away with their back or chest hair. The list goes on and on. In spite of the popularity of laser hair removal, many are still not clear about how exactly it works. Do you know what happens to your body when you go through this process?
Laser hair removal is one of the most popular cosmetic procedures and often one of the fastest and most affordable options for removing unwanted hair from the face, legs and body. Though, like any other cosmetic therapy laser hair removal may come with some risks, especially without proper knowledge of how this procedure works. Before you choose to subject your delicate body to what cannot be called a walk in the park, here are some facts you might want to know about this kind of treatment.
Removal. Read on to learn more about Is Laser Hair Removal Bad For Your Health, Why You Should Think Twice About Laser Hair Removal
Is Laser Hair Removal Bad For Your Health
Some people who undergo laser hair removal may notice some adverse effects as a result of the procedure. These are usually localized to the area of treatment, such as redness and inflammation of the skin. Other health risks, such as serious eye injury, lead to contraindication of laser hair removal in certain areas of the body.
This article will address the primary health risks associated with laser hair removal. Some individuals, such as those with darker skin, are more likely to experience complications because certain types of lasers are required for the procedure to be effective. A temporary alteration in the appearance of the skin can be expected for all patients. Finally, it is important to consider both the benefits and risks of the procedure for each individual in order to make the best treatment decision.
Ineffectiveness
Laser hair removal is not 100% effective to provide permanent hair removal for all patients. For some patients, the hair in certain areas of the body may be resistant to laser treatment or may regrow after the treatment.
Although the regrowth of the hair is often lighter or finer than before the treatment, many patients desire continued treatment to maintain the results. This will pose ongoing risks due to the continued exposure to the laser light.
The procedure is unlikely to be effective for patients with hair pigment that is lighter than the pigment in the skin. With newer technologies, the efficiency rate is improving, although there still remains an increased risk of complications in patients with dark skin types.
Skin changes
Some skin irritation in the area treated should be expected following laser hair removal. This may include pain, discomfort, redness and swelling. In most cases, this will resolve within 24 hours of treatment.
Other effects to the skin may include:
- Pain
- Numbness
- Blisters
- Burns
- Bleeding
- Scarring
Laser hair removal can have an impact on the pigmentation of the skin in the affected area, and the skin may become darker or lighter in color. This is more likely to affect individuals who have darker skin, particularly when an unsuitable type of laser is used during treatment. It is usually a temporary effect, thus it does not have a permanent effect if treatment is discontinued.
Area-specific risks
Laser hair removal is not recommended in some areas of the body due to an increased risk of adverse effects which may result. For example, the procedure is not usually recommended around the eyes due to the risk of eye injury that may occur if the procedure is not carried out correctly.
Balancing the benefits and risks
When making the decision to commence therapy for laser hair removal, it is important to consider the specific benefits and risks for the individual.
The primary benefit of laser hair removal is the removal and reduction of hair growth in the desired body area. This may be indicated for a medical condition associated with excessive hair growth, or for cosmetic reasons if the individual desires the removal of the body hair.
The risks of laser hair removal can be minimized by the correct use of laser light when administering the therapy, as well as adequate interventions before and after the procedure. For this reason, it is preferred for patients to have laser hair removal carried out by a qualified dermatologist who has experience in the area.
Who Shouldn’t Do Laser Hair Removal
Laser treatment has become one of the most popular solutions for hair removal. It is gaining popularity because of its effectiveness and pain-free procedure. While most people can safely get laser hair removal, some might not be the right candidate. People with light skin and hair The nature of your hair and skin can decide the result of laser hair removal. While there are many machines that can perform hair removal, some are more suitable for a specific skin type. For example, if you have dark skin, you might be advised to pick Nd-YAG laser instead of others, as it causes less damage to your skin. Skin types prone to pigmentation The most common side effects include skin irritation or discoloration and pigment changes. If your skin gets pigmented easily, you might not be advised to take laser hair removal. To prevent this, you should ask your doctor about the risks and complications of the treatment before choosing to perform the procedure. Your doctor might suggest a test to see how your skin reacts to the treatment. People with skin conditions Laser treatments are, in general, not recommended for people with skin disease or infection. Some of the medications you take for your skin conditions, such as isotretinoin, could make you photosensitive. You should inform your doctor or physician before the treatment to make sure that you are suitable for the treatment. (Read also: The ‘Fairy Dusts’: Diamond, gold or pearl beauty treatments) People who are pregnant While there is a lack of information on the effect of laser or chemicals applied to your skin during treatment on the fetus, it is generally advised to avoid laser hair removal treatment if you are pregnant. In fact, no laser treatments are recommended for pregnant people. Many women might have a problem with hair growth during pregnancy from the increase in hormones, making hair grow out from their nipples or belly. Normally these hairs will fall off after pregnancy. The area of treatment Depending on your hair thickness, the size of the treated area and your skin and hair condition, the intensity of the laser will be different. If you want to do hair removal on your face or eyebrows, many dermatologists and physicians advise sticking to the old methods of waxing or tweezing. Laser light can be very dangerous if it hits your eyes, causing flash blindness, dazzle, dark spots and hazy vision. In addition, it might take some time to complete a session of laser hair removal. You should plan your schedule beforehand to allow resting time after treatment. Laser hair removal can give you smooth, hairless skin for an extended period of time. One thing you should remember is to consider if you are a suitable candidate for laser hair removal or not. If you are still unsure, consult with your doctor for the best advice.
Why You Should Think Twice About Laser Hair Removal
Laser hair removal isn’t as simple as one treatment and you’re hairless forever. The process of laser hair removal works by stopping the hair follicles from growing new hairs, but it’s rarely a permanent solution. After the first treatment, you will likely be hairless for a few months, but will need to return again for another treatment when the hair grows back. That hair may be finer and lighter when it does grow back, which is certainly a positive, but many people require multiple sessions to achieve permanent or longer lasting effects. It’s also worth noting that the level of effectiveness varies not only from person to person, but from hair color to hair color. People with lighter shades of hair may have less successful results than those with darker hair because laser lights are attracted to darker hair.
Because lasers are harmful to the human eye, there is also risk of eye injury, especially when the area being treated is on a person’s face (via Mayo Clinic). It is essential practitioners use appropriate measures and protective equipment to protect themselves and their clients. Skin infections can also happen as a result of damaging the hair follicle as lasers are meant to do, and so the treated area should always be treated like a wound until it is healed to prevent infection. If an infection occurs, an over-the-counter antibiotic ointment can help until the person can be seen by a doctor. More serious side effects, like scarring, are also possible although they are less common. Taking care of the affected area properly after treatment is the best way to prevent this.
Other risks and considerations of laser hair removal
Dermatologic surgeon Dr. Gary S. Chuang reported on a study he conducted which proved that laser hair removal releases potentially harmful toxins into the air (via Elle). When the laser is used to remove hair, a small black plume of smoke occurs. “Initially people said, ‘Ah, it’s just sulfur,’ because that’s one of the main components of hair. There’s a disulfide bond between keratin that makes your hair curl and builds up the bond within the hair,” Chuang told Elle. “That seemed to make sense. But the black plume that comes out [during the procedure] was unsettling. And I found all these chemicals that were shocking.”
The study revealed 300 different chemical compounds in the plume, 13 of which have been shown to be harmful to humans and animals. What are the health implications? The medical field is just beginning to understand them. As of now, the biggest risk is potentially to the practitioners, who encounter and inhale these particles frequently, rather than to the patients who encounter it only rarely. It’s important to note that no documented cases of cancer or other devastating illnesses have been associated with laser hair removal. While this is still being studied, and you more likely need to worry about topical reactions if you are the patient, it is something to keep in mind when considering all possible health implications.