Laser hair removal is considered safe, with no long-term adverse reactions reported so far. When selecting a practitioner to conduct laser treatments on you it is essential they possess sufficient training and experience in this field.
Tweezing or waxing the treatment area should be avoided as doing so could set back your progress significantly. Furthermore, it’s crucial that you follow the advice of your consultant.
Age
At any age, people want to rid themselves of unwanted hair. Unfortunately, however, hair removal can be more complex than simply shaving or plucking – shaving can cause ingrown hairs and razor burn, waxing can lead to cuts while cream depilatories can chemically damage skin.
Laser hair removal utilizes a pulsed light beam to target active hair follicles and prevent them from producing new hairs. Thermal energy from the laser heats up pigmentation to destroy the follicle and stop producing hair production; several sessions may be necessary to completely eradicate all active hair follicles; additionally, many people need periodic maintenance treatments in order to control stray hair growth.
People often wonder whether laser hair removal is appropriate for them as they age, yet the truth is it never too late for anyone. One real risk associated with aging skin may include increased melanin production and greater sensitivity to certain light spectrums; however, modern lasers are specially designed to safely use on elderly skin and can be safely performed by professionals.
Under 18s require the presence of their parent or guardian at their first consultation session, though there is no age restriction to laser hair removal treatments. Children as young as 14 can undergo this form of therapy; however, for best results and to make treatments more comfortable it’s advised that teens wait until puberty has finished and menstruation has started (for females). This makes their hormonal balance more balanced and better equipped to endure what may be uncomfortable laser treatments.
Teens considering laser hair removal should consult with a dermatologist or qualified laser professional in order to get treatment guidelines and advice. An ideal candidate for laser hair removal will understand all that the process entails and adhere to post-treatment care instructions accordingly.
People not eligible for laser hair removal include those who have a history of skin conditions such as acne or psoriasis, are taking medication for such issues or have allergies to certain drugs – in addition to anyone suffering from sunburn on the area to be treated, cold sores or being on antiviral drugs (in either form).
Skin Type
Laser hair removal works best on those who have an obvious contrast between their hair color and skin color, meaning the light passes through darker locks while being absorbed by lighter skin beneath, thus damaging only hair follicles without burning the surface of skin. Unfortunately, it doesn’t work as effectively on tanned skin or bleached by sun exposure – wait until your tan fades before scheduling laser hair removal sessions.
As the skin around a hair follicle can respond negatively to treatments, some individuals experience redness and swelling after they have undergone such procedures. Rarely, this reaction may even result in blistering or scarring; although these are also rare side effects.
On the whole, most people can benefit from laser hair removal; the primary exceptions being light sensitivity (which can be managed with medication), tattoos and skin diseases. People suffering from psoriasis or other inflammatory skin conditions may experience flare-ups when exposed to laser heat from laser treatment; those experiencing chronic acne breakouts should avoid it because it could aggravate their condition further.
Women with a family history of hirsutism (excessive hair growth) as well as those who are pregnant or breastfeeding should avoid laser hair removal, as it could alter hormone levels in their bodies, altering how quickly new hair grows back. Men trying to conceive should also steer clear, as changes to sperm production could delay conception.
Individuals suffering from light-induced epilepsy or have ever experienced seizures should avoid laser hair removal as this can trigger seizures. Instead, electrolysis offers a safer option by employing electricity rather than heat to kill hair follicles at their roots and has to provide eye protection during treatment to minimize risk.
Medications
People should avoid laser hair removal if they are taking certain medications, including antibiotic tetracycline; antidepressants like Prozac; and mood regulators like SSRI’s. Such medicines may increase heat sensitivity and cause adverse reactions during laser treatments. Furthermore, women trying to become pregnant or expecting should not undergo laser treatments since their safety remains uncertain during gestation.
Laser light treatments tend to work best on dark hair than on blonde, reddish or grey hues; therefore, clients should try not to use products containing these shades prior to and after laser sessions. Garlic may increase sensitivity to laser light; therefore, consumption prior or during sessions should be avoided. In addition, supplements with gingko biloba may make the skin more vulnerable to the thermal energy from lasers causing bleeding or blisters on contact with them.
Laser thermal energy works by cauterizing blood vessels that feed the hair follicle on a targeted area, ultimately damaging or destroying it and making new hair growth much slower than before the laser treatment was administered. New hair growth generally takes months afterward.
Laser hair removal should only be undertaken under certain medical circumstances and conditions, including herpes simplex infections (active and latent). If any form of viral outbreak exists in an area to be treated before beginning laser treatments. Furthermore, those suffering from scarring disorders like hypertrophic or keloid scarring should wait until they’ve healed before proceeding with laser treatment.
Finally, clients with a history of severe histamine reactions like urticaria should avoid laser hair removal treatments as this could trigger an allergic response. When arriving for their appointment it is vital that clients arrive with clean skin free from lotions, sprays or creams – this ensures a successful session without an uncomfortable allergic reaction causing their practitioner any potential discomfort.
Sun Exposure
Laser hair removal may not be effective on dark-toned skin due to pigment absorption by darker pigments in your skin absorbing laser light and decreasing its efficiency. Your practitioner will conduct a patch test of your skin’s sensitivity prior to treating with laser. You should also avoid tanning, using spray or fake tanninner, or other hair-removal products like waxing or plucking within two weeks prior to receiving laser treatment.
At its core, laser hair removal involves pressing a handheld device against your skin and activating the laser. As soon as this trigger is in action, a series of pulses similar to rubber band snapping against it are felt against it – like rubber bands snapping against rubber. The procedure typically lasts several minutes or up to an hour, depending on the size and area being treated. Once finished, some people experience redness or raised rash following treatment sessions while their skin may smell of smoke and burned hair (due to their follicles being destroyed by heat of laser). These symptoms typically take several hours or days for their symptoms to dissipate; applying cold compress can help alleviate any discomfort.
If you experience an adverse reaction, contact the practitioner who performed your treatment and follow their advice. For instance, they might suggest applying a steroid cream to reduce pain or swelling. You should also avoid direct sunlight on the affected area and utilize broad-spectrum sunscreen daily to protect yourself.
As part of your research process when considering laser treatments, it is vital that you verify their training and experience. Reviews online as well as word of mouth may give an indication of quality providers; to make things easy get a referral from either your primary care physician or dermatologist.
laser hair removal is generally safe. Even if the procedure doesn’t suit you, other solutions exist for removing unwanted hair such as electrolysis and tweezing that may work just as effectively.
