Laser light only targets dark hair follicles containing melanin. White, gray and blonde strands absorb light differently and do not get treated effectively by laser.
Candidates suffering from hormone disorders like polycystic ovary syndrome and postmenopause may find less success with treatments, particularly women who have a family history of hirsutism.
Hair Regrowth
Laser hair removal can be an effective solution to unwanted body hair. After several treatments, many clients achieve the results they are after and can enjoy virtually hair-free skin. Unfortunately, some patients will experience hair regrowth; though this can be frustrating it’s usually not a serious concern that needs immediate action taken against it.
Growth of new hair depends on a number of factors, including time of year and an individual’s natural cycle. Laser treatment works best during anagen phase (growth phase), when extra melanin absorbs energy from laser beams absorbed into follicles to protect follicles from being damaged during treatment.
However, laser therapy may not be as successful if you’re already in the Catagen or transitional phase of the hair cycle. At this point, hair has already transitioned from Angen phase to Telogen phase (resting phase) so its production of melanin has stopped and therefore less likely to be treated successfully by laser.
Avoid plucking and waxing the area where you wish to undergo laser hair removal as this can disturb hair follicles and cause them to enter their resting phase, potentially leading to unwanted regrowth after laser hair removal has taken place.
Furthermore, it’s crucial that you remain patient during a laser hair removal treatment; optimal results typically take six or eight sessions of laser treatment to achieve optimal results. Furthermore, sun exposure or tanning beds must be avoided at least a week before beginning laser treatments as these could cause changes to color or thickness of hair follicles that would negate its effect.
Hormonal imbalance can sometimes play a part in hair regrowth; however, this usually won’t pose a significant problem if treated when hair is in its anagen phase. If excessive hair growth becomes an issue for you, however, consulting a medical professional about your situation might help assess whether there could be an imbalance that’s fuelling its development as well as suggest medications to assist.
Hormone Imbalance
Hormonal imbalance during laser hair removal treatments may reduce its efficacy. Excess male hormones may stimulate hair regrowth faster, leading to additional laser sessions being necessary and possibly anti-androgen drugs from doctors being prescribed as ways of correcting any imbalances that arise.
Hirsutism, or excessive facial and body hair growth, is usually related to hormonal fluctuations resulting from hereditary or medication causes such as birth control pills. Laser hair removal cannot resolve hormonal imbalances directly but it may help eliminate unwanted hair in different parts of the face and body; if not addressed as part of an overall treatment strategy further treatments may be required in the future.
At no time should pregnant women or men undergo laser hair removal, as no studies have demonstrated its safety during this timeframe. Instead, after giving birth it may be beneficial to undergo this process as pregnancy causes hormonal shifts that cause extra hairs to sprout where not wanted; though sometimes this can be embarrassing; generally however it will disappear on its own and after giving birth people can seek laser hair removal treatments to get rid of unwanted strands of hair that inevitably remain.
Before laser treatment can begin, the individual must shave the affected area on either their face or body and receive topical anesthetic from their doctor to numb it. Once treatment begins, an alternating beam of heat and cold will be produced by the laser that helps destroy hair follicles without harming surrounding skin or ovaries.
People with lighter skin often need additional laser sessions than those with darker skin due to laser’s inability to target all hair follicles at once in the treatment region – some could be active while others dormant at any one time.
Infertility
Laser hair removal has become an increasingly popular aesthetic procedure, promising to reduce unwanted hair growth while creating smooth skin. Unfortunately, like all cosmetic procedures, it does have some drawbacks; fertility concerns being one of them. Before going under treatment with the laser it is vitally important that individuals understand its true impact before proceeding with any plan of treatment.
Some individuals may experience infertility after laser hair removal; this is usually caused by hormonal issues rather than laser treatments themselves. Women experiencing this side effect should consult with a physician to identify potential underlying causes; should there be one, they will likely recommend alternative forms of treatment options.
Some people fear that laser treatments emit radiation that could penetrate their bodies and harm internal cellular structures and organs. Although this is certainly valid concern, dermatologists have stated that the low level of radiation emitted during this procedure cannot penetrate enough into one’s tissues to cause such irreparable damage.
Men have expressed fear that laser hair removal can have an adverse impact on their fertility, due to it frequently taking place around the genital area. They believe this may lead to erectile problems or low sperm counts – though no research has confirmed these fears yet. It would therefore be prudent for men seeking laser treatment around this part of their bodies to avoid this treatment entirely.
Notably, laser treatment should not be undertaken by pregnant or breastfeeding women due to its potential laser beam damage causing burns and skin disorders that could harm an unborn or nursing baby. Furthermore, women trying to conceive should consult with a physician prior to undertaking laser hair removal treatments as they could increase the chances of infertility causing infertility despite low risks involved. Waxing and other hair removal methods that involve extracting root hairs could cause long-term skin damage which increases infertility risk in pregnant women as this increases skin irritated patches causing increased infertility risk in later years of gestation reducing risks during gestation reducing fertility risks overall.
Scarring
Laser hair removal uses a focused beam of light. It doesn’t penetrate the skin and has no negative impact on other organs; however, you must always ensure your practitioner has sufficient experience and competence for laser hair removal in sensitive areas like face, arm or bikini line hair removal.
Professionals trained in laser hair removal should possess an in-depth knowledge of the hair growth cycle. Patients should ideally seek treatment when their hair is in its Anagen, or growth phase; at this time, laser, IPL and LHE permanent hair removal treatments can destroy hair roots to stop new ones growing back in. Researching potential laser hair removal practitioners before booking an appointment is paramount – qualifications may differ by state and region but typically include training in anatomy, hair growth patterns, endocrinology and dermatology among others.
Location and tone of the skin are also vital considerations in laser hair removal treatment. If the color of your follicles matches that of the surrounding tissue (light red/blonde hair), targeting them with laser may prove challenging; this could especially prove problematic for patients with darker skin tones.
Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding typically do not qualify for laser hair removal due to hormonal changes that cause extra hairs to grow unexpectedly – known as hirsutism and treatable with either medication or surgery.
Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation or “burn marks” is another potential issue caused by laser treatment that exceeds its intended area of application, potentially harming both skin surface and hair follicles in addition to creating permanent marks on darker complexions if set too high for treatment. This issue can become especially troublesome with tanning services or darker complexions since permanent marks on their complexions will remain.
Avoid this problem by carefully adhering to the preparation and care guidelines provided by your provider before each treatment session. This may involve refraining from using sunless tanning products at least a month before, as well as not plucking, waxing or using skin bleaching cream in the area targeted.
