Laser hair therapy is an efficient and safe method for eliminating unwanted body hair, but some individuals worry whether or not it may lead to cancer.
Contrary to harmful UV radiation from the sun, hair removal laser light does not contain long enough wavelengths that mutate DNA and cause skin cancer. However, some individuals do experience scarring after laser hair removal treatment.
Radiation
Laser hair removal uses light energy to destroy cells responsible for producing hair, leading some people to fear it could increase their risk of cancer. But no evidence indicates this; lasers are safe when administered by trained professionals under adequate supervision.
Laser hair removal does not use light energy with UV rays, as UV radiation can damage cells and lead to skin cancer. Furthermore, the wavelengths used during laser hair removal do not penetrate deep enough into your skin to mutate your DNA and damage its code.
Lasers used for hair removal do not possess enough power to affect other forms of tissue, meaning they cannot cause cancer like lung or prostate cancer. Therefore, it is wise to avoid exposure to any form of radiation such as sunlight and radiotherapy if your cancer risk is of concern.
Though laser hair removal usually yields positive results, it’s important to keep in mind that it is only temporary solution. While laser may reduce hair growth for several months at most, and may help delay further growth for months at most, additional treatments may be required before seeing visible effects.
If you are concerned about the risks associated with laser hair removal, consulting with your physician for advice may be beneficial. They could suggest alternative forms of removal such as waxing or plucking. Furthermore, they might advise limiting sun exposure both prior to and following laser treatment.
Laser hair removal does have some risks associated with it, including pigment changes, redness and itching. While these side effects may last briefly they should be treatable using over-the-counter medication or home remedies.
Laser hair treatment can be performed on almost every area of the body, though pregnant women should wait until after giving birth before getting this done. Laser treatment could potentially interfere with your endocrine system and should therefore only be undertaken as soon as it no longer poses a risk to their fetus.
Light
Laser hair removal uses non-ionising radiation in the form of a laser beam to penetrate skin layers and kill hair follicles (cells from which hair grows) so they no longer produce hair. This procedure may also be used to treat other imperfections on skin such as scarring, redness and varicose veins; furthermore it has never been shown to cause cancer and presents no risks when performed by qualified professionals.
Laser treatments carry the risk of cancer formation; this occurs because some hair follicle cells may remain intact after being destroyed during laser treatments and could later go on to produce tumours, possibly leading to cancer of the skin or body. Therefore, it is vital that only experienced doctors perform laser treatments.
Low Level Laser Therapy (LLLT) is an increasingly popular solution for male pattern baldness and hair thinning, providing less-invasive and cost-effective care than hair transplants. The device emits pure red light that penetrates scalp tissues to stimulate hair follicles into producing thicker, fuller and healthier looking locks.
Laser Hair Regrowth works best on those with dark hair and light skin as this contrast helps absorb laser heat efficiently into follicles. Although other combinations might work as effectively, it remains safer than many other cosmetic treatments.
LLLT therapy often causes redness, swelling and skin crusting in the treated area. While this discomfort is temporary, you can ease it with cold compresses or baths with cool water. Sunlight should be avoided to avoid aggravating this condition and increasing risk of sunburn – always use an excellent moisturiser to keep skin healthy!
Chemicals
Many individuals worry that laser hair removal might increase their risk of cancer; this is not true. The radiation used for laser treatments does not have the same destructive properties as x-rays or CT scans, which have been known to alter genetic material within cells, increasing your chances of certain cancers later down the road.
Laser treatments employ non-ionizing radiation, meaning it won’t harm the genetic material within cells and change hormone levels in a way that could increase your chances of cancerous tumor formation.
Concerns are often expressed regarding whether or not the chemicals used in laser hair treatments can lead to cancer, but this cannot be answered definitively due to non-regulation by the government and no disclosure regarding what chemicals may be present in them. Therefore, it’s best to discuss this matter with your practitioner and ensure they meet certain qualifications before beginning any type of procedure; checking on a register which documents this will also show their qualifications and skill sets.
Laser hair therapy works to stimulate the natural hair growth. This occurs by increasing blood flow to your scalp, which delivers more nutrients directly into the area and revitalizes hair follicles. Furthermore, laser therapy may even reverse effects associated with androgenetic alopecia – a condition which causes hair loss.
Laser hair therapy can bring numerous advantages, and can make you more self-confident about your appearance. But it’s important to keep in mind that results from laser therapy won’t appear instantly; multiple sessions may be required in order to achieve optimal results. It is also vital that any treated areas use high quality sunscreens and have regular maintenance sessions if you wish for your hair to look its best over time.
Precautions
Laser hair removal can be performed safely and effectively when performed by a licensed practitioner. Prior to commencing treatment, an in-depth history is taken to rule out infections, drugs and hormonal factors which could interfere with treatment and set expectations properly. Dermatologists will often evaluate the patient’s skin type and color so as to select an appropriate laser device that suits both. Plucking, waxing or bleaching any hair for several weeks prior to their procedure in order to preserve pigment.
Prior to laser treatment, it is vitally important that skin be free of oils, makeup and lotions; this helps minimize side effects caused by heat generated from laser light. A dermatologist will use a hand-held laser instrument against your skin and activate it, sending an intense beam through to hair follicles in the area being targeted; they may use cooling devices on its tip or cool gel as part of this process to minimize heat build-up on the surface of your skin.
Once the laser beam penetrates skin, it damages hair follicles to stop future hair growth. While this process is generally harmless, some people may experience mild burn sensation or redness for several hours following treatment; typically this subsides quickly but can last longer in some instances. You may also encounter crusting in affected areas which could result in scarring.
Patients undergoing laser hair removal often require multiple sessions to reach the desired results, however it is crucial that patients adhere to their dermatologist’s instructions both during and post treatment, including cleansing the area treated, applying moisturizer and avoiding sun exposure. Furthermore, your dermatologist will advise how often treatments need to be repeated; typically every 4-6 weeks.
