Laser hair removal has quickly become popular with young children and preteens, providing an efficient and safe means of eliminating unwanted body hair. While shaving may lead to razor burn and bumps from repeated shaving, while cream depilatories may cause chemical burns – laser hair removal offers an effective and lasting solution.
Read on to understand if this procedure is safe for teenage patients!
Age Requirements
Teenagers suffering from unwanted body hair might consider laser treatment an ideal way to get rid of unwanted fuzz; however, there are a few factors which need to be considered before proceeding with any semi-permanent hair removal technique such as this one.
Before considering starting college, parents need to determine if their teenager has reached puberty. If not yet, we advise waiting a bit until considering this option so they are mature enough to understand and commit over a longer timeframe.
At puberty, body hair grows at an alarmingly fast rate and can become an embarrassment or insecurity for teens. Removal methods like waxing and shaving may not always be effective enough; laser hair removal offers an effective and long-term solution.
Teenagers need to be mature enough to deal with the discomfort associated with treatment as well as adhere to pre and post treatment instructions such as staying out of tanning beds and sunlight for several days before and after each appointment. Furthermore, they should commit to attending regular appointments over several weeks or even months at a time.
Laser hair removal might be easier for some teenaged individuals if their parents agree with it; however, it’s still essential for teenagers to discuss this decision with their family members and understand if their opinion matches up.
If you are a teen contemplating laser hair removal in Tulsa, Oklahoma, it’s essential that they understand all of the safety requirements. If they are under 18 they will require parental presence during consultation sessions as well as providing written consent before beginning treatments. Also keep in mind that having tanned skin can lessen its effectiveness when it comes to hair removal.
Safety
Laser hair removal is a medical procedure that requires training and may carry risks, so it’s vitally important that any dermatologist you work with be certified in performing the procedure and has years of experience doing it. At-home laser kits or unqualified practitioners are best avoided for optimal results, while teenagers should discuss this matter with their parents prior to scheduling treatment sessions.
Teenagers go through many hormonal shifts that can trigger rapid hair growth. For girls in particular, this excess hair can be embarrassing and difficult to remove without treatment – however laser hair removal offers an effective solution, safe even for teenagers who have reached puberty.
Before laser treatment begins, the area to be treated will be cleansed and shaved as necessary. A technician will wear eye protection to shield their vision, before pulses of light will be applied directly to desired areas. Treatments usually are quick and painless; however it would be beneficial to bring along cold packs or anti-inflammatory cream to reduce any pain or swelling following treatments.
After your session, it is possible to experience side effects like redness, folliculitis perifollicularis (reddening of hair follicles), and edema (swelling). Moisturizers should help combat these side effects; sun exposure should also be limited, and tanning beds and sun lamps should be avoided because their UV rays could harm skin further.
Your results may require multiple treatments in order to achieve full effectiveness; not all hairs will be in active growth phase when you receive your initial therapy session. In addition, regular maintenance treatments will likely be needed in order to control hair regrowth.
Laser treatment works best on people with dark hair and light skin, since their contrast makes it easier for their hair follicles to absorb laser light. Unfortunately, it may not work as effectively on those with blonde, red, or gray locks; thus requiring alternate methods for hair removal.
Treatment Options
Teen girls typically experience rapid hormonal fluctuations during the teenage years, often leading to unwanted hair growth on both face and body that is embarrassing for teens. Instead of having to spend hours shaving and waxing unwanted hairs, laser hair removal offers an effective solution that can boost their self-confidence during a time when confidence often decreases.
Laser treatments work by passing through the skin and heating up hair follicles, damaging them and slowing their hair growth. While results of treatment can last for some time, it is important to remember that hair growth may resume over time if one stops with their treatment plan; thus it is imperative for teens to continue their treatments in order to reach desired results.
Before beginning treatment, a technician will clean and provide protective eyewear to the individual being treated. A therapist will then set the laser at its appropriate setting for targeting specific areas and pulses of light will be administered directly onto them by sitting under the laser. When necessary, topical anesthetic or cooling agents may be used by their therapist to alleviate pain or discomfort during or following their session.
For optimal results, it is advised that teens avoid sun exposure prior to and following laser hair removal procedures. They should also refrain from tanning beds and artificial tanning products which could impede with its effectiveness; furthermore, other forms of hair removal methods like plucking or waxing should also be avoided.
As laser hair removal is a permanent solution, multiple sessions may be necessary in order to achieve desired results. This number will depend on factors like skin tone and color, the targeted area size and density as well as any future touch up treatments that might prevent new hair from growing back into their targeted area. Additionally, your teenager will require annual touch up treatments in order to prevent new growth in that particular spot.
Laser hair removal for teens is safe and can provide long-term results when administered by a qualified practitioner. Teens should select an experienced practitioner who has experience treating this age group, and ensure that this individual has registered to meet set standards of training, skill, and insurance coverage.
Cost
Laser hair removal costs vary based on how many sessions and size of area being treated, from as little as $50 per session up to as much as $400 in some instances. If multiple sessions are needed, inquire with your treatment office about package deals or flexible payment plans that might fit better into your budget; health insurance could even help cover part of the expenses if applicable.
Teenagers interested in laser hair removal must understand that treatment will take multiple sessions before becoming fully effective, which requires being patient and understanding that body hair growth isn’t linear; additional touch-up appointments will likely be required in order to keep it at bay.
Teenagers typically begin showing interest in removing body hair by 13-14, and parents need to carefully evaluate whether their child understands that laser hair removal requires multiple sessions for effective results.
When choosing a laser specialist, it’s essential for teens to select one with extensive experience working with people of all ages. A suitable candidate must provide evidence of training and licensing as well as being able to explain how the procedure works and answer any queries the teen might have about its usage.
Laser hair removal involves applying a thin layer of gel or cool air spray to protect skin from the heat of laser light, then using handheld device to guide laser over area with unwanted hair growth. Laser light then converts into heat, damaging hair follicles that produce new hair growth causing them to stop producing new ones and permanently stop producing more hair growth.
Your teen should start seeing results of laser hair removal treatment within days, with their hair returning thinner and finer – and less likely to come back thicker or darker than before.
