Laser hair removal treatments involve injecting high-powered laser radiation directly into the skin and penetrating it through direct and reflected beams of laser radiation, potentially harming human eyes in direct and reflected beams.
Blink reflex can protect eyes against low-powered laser radiation, but not from higher powered laser radiation sources; for this reason it is crucial that anyone entering a laser treatment room wears protective eyewear.
1. Wear sunglasses
No matter if you choose laser hair removal or IPL treatments, it is critical that your eyes remain protected during any procedures. Laser radiation can be hazardous to both cornea and retina and sunglasses should always be worn when operating a laser hair removal device.
As part of laser safety measures, it’s also crucial to avoid common misconceptions. For instance, some may believe that intensive pulsed light (IPL) devices cannot cause eye injuries since they do not emit one wavelength – however this is simply a myth as IPL devices can actually injure eyes through burns and other complications.
Many factors can impact how much radiation a laser emits, and its ability to cause eye damage. These include its wavelength, power density and delivery system as well as how well its absorption chromophores absorb radiation into the eye.
IPL lasers used for hair removal and other cosmetic procedures utilize wavelengths outside the visible spectrum, preventing reflex blinking while potentially damaging retina. Furthermore, their short wavelengths penetrate deep into the eye where they absorb haemoglobin in the iris causing permanent vision loss.
There are other key points to keep in mind when selecting laser treatments, including making sure the treatment area is fenced-off properly and all those entering it wear appropriate protective eyewear. In addition, fire safety equipment and proper ventilation should be readily available to control smoke or flammable hazards in the area.
Keep in mind that many laser-related injuries happen because appropriate protective eyewear isn’t worn. For your own safety, choose protective eyewear marked with the wavelength and an optical density number of 5 or greater; typically OD refers to optical density.
2. Keep your eyes closed
Laser hair removal uses pulses of light to target and destroy individual hair follicles, leading to permanent reduction of hair growth as well as damage to nearby tissues. Therefore, it’s vital that appropriate precautions be taken when using this treatment for both eyes and skin.
There are various strategies you can employ to protect your eyes during laser hair removal procedures; one of the most effective measures is simply keeping them closed. This will block out any radiation entering from reflected laser beams and avoid injuries caused by accidental contact with either its primary beam or specular reflections.
Human eyes are very susceptible to light exposure, and can become easily injured through overexposure. Laser radiation with wavelengths under 1400 nanometers has the ability to cause burn injuries when coming in contact with retina and lens tissues directly or heating corneal tissue directly, leading to pain and swelling in cornea. Meanwhile, wavelengths greater than 1400 nanometers may absorb by lens tissue and cause cataracts or other optical defects when absorbed by its fibers.
Safety goggles for laser safety must be worn by patients, technicians and any observers in order to reduce the risk of eye injuries caused by cosmetic lasers. In one study of 21 cases where patients experienced cosmetic laser-related eye injuries due to cosmetic lasers, 62% either did not wear proper protective eyewear or were asked by their providers to remove it in order to access periorbital regions.
Your doctor may also prescribe a topical anesthetic to reduce the sensation of laser light on your eye. They will instruct you to forego any sunless skin creams that could darken eye area as well as plucked, waxed, or electrolysis hair removal prior to beginning laser treatments. They may ask that blood thinners are discontinued prior to commencing laser treatments as these drugs interfere with laser radiation being absorbed into cornea and lens tissue.
3. Wear a hat
Wearing a hat during laser hair removal sessions will protect your eyes from UV rays that can harm them, such as cataracts or eyelid cancer. They can also damage retina, which consists of light-sensitive cells at the back of each eyeball. Wearing both sunscreen and a hat to shield yourself is especially helpful if you have sensitive skin or are recovering from sunburns.
Lasers used for hair removal emit an invisible electromagnetic beam in the near infrared (IR) region of the spectrum, which passes easily through cornea, lens and pupil of the eye before being absorbed by retina and heating up any exposed underlying tissues resulting in permanent eye damage and possible fire hazard.
Most hair removal devices emit Class 3B or Class 4 laser radiation, meaning it could pose potential hazards to unprotected eyes and skin. Furthermore, its light could create fire hazards should it come into contact with combustible materials and could damage surfaces that reflect it back, such as shiny surfaces or mirrors.
Utilizing appropriate laser protective equipment as prescribed in the manufacturer’s operating manual and applicable regulations is of utmost importance. Eyewear must allow visible light through, enabling clear visibility of the work area; but must prevent reflected or scattered radiation from reaching one’s eyes. Furthermore, this material must absorb enough incoming laser radiation.
Once your treatment is over, it is wise to stay out of direct sunlight and dusty environments in order to protect the sensitive skin that was treated. Furthermore, hot showers or baths should also be avoided as these can exacerbate redness. Wear loose clothing so as to not rub against or irritate treated areas – and be sure not to expose yourself to artificial UV sources for at least eight weeks post treatment!
4. Wear goggles
Eyes are highly delicate structures. Any laser radiation, even at lower power levels, has the potential to harm their retina – an intricate multilayered structure located at the back of each eyeball. Avoiding laser injuries to the eyes is one of the best things you can do for eye health and should always be prioritized as part of any strategy. Light-sensitive cells known as rods and cones connect directly with the optic nerve and, should they become damaged, could result in irreversible blindness – therefore protecting these delicate cells against laser injury is one of the key ways of maintaining eye health. Goggles are an effective way of protecting eyes during laser hair removal treatments, with different models designed to block different wavelengths of light. There are various laser eye shields on the market, each designed to address particular wavelengths. Your choice of eye shield should meet or exceed the Visible Light Transmission (VLT) rating appropriate to the wavelength of laser you are using, and be approved for use with it.
Laser safety eyewear is mandated by law for anyone operating or working near a laser. There are various forms of protective eyewear for patients and staff alike, from glasses and masks to frames made of materials like plastics or metals with filters that allow visible light through while blocking wavelengths from reaching your eyes.
Glasses and goggles are often preferred to masks as they provide more comfortable eye protection for patients, with adjustable straps preventing slip-out when moving or repositioning themselves. Furthermore, glasses must fit tightly enough so as to block laser wavelength from all directions.
Your eye protector must meet all criteria set forth by your laser safety officer (LSO), with an Optical Density (OD) number matching that of the wavelength used. OD indicates how much radiation can be absorbed; at minimum it must equal or surpass MPE limits set for each laser being used.
