Many young girls struggle with excess body hair. They are self-conscious about their appearance and must withstand peer pressure from peers; some even need to function as models.
Though shaving, waxing, and plucking only compound the problem further, laser hair removal provides a permanent solution. But is laser safe for children?
Age Requirements
Many children become self-conscious about their body hair at an early age and desire removal. Laser hair removal can be safely undertaken by kids of all ages provided that it is administered by an accredited and trained therapist. There are however certain considerations parents must keep in mind before authorizing such treatment for their children.
Laser hair removal utilizes rapid pulses of energy to heat pigments in specific areas of skin and destroy hair follicles so they no longer produce hair growth. It’s quick, painless, and effective. The goal is smooth skin without visible hair growth – unlike shaving which may result in razor burn or ingrown hairs; laser removal removes it all at its source so no new growth returns!
While children as young as twelve may undergo laser hair removal treatments, experts advise waiting at least twelve years old so their hormones have fully balanced out and results will last. Furthermore, it’s crucial that teenagers understand and follow postcare instructions with due care.
Bonnie Young, children’s fashion designer for Hermes USA and founder of Bonnie Young Lingerie, expressed gratitude that many of her teen models had laser treatments done, yet felt uncertain when her own 13-year-old daughter asked to get it done due to hearing that everyone at her downtown Manhattan school already had done it.
The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) notes that while there are no set age requirements for laser hair removal for children, it is recommended that they reach twelve years old in order to understand and comply with aftercare instructions and understand and follow them during the procedure. This is especially crucial given how uncomfortable treatment may be even with numbing cream. Furthermore, certain lasers aren’t appropriate for kids so the therapist must first establish whether they’re suitable before proceeding; otherwise they must seek written consent from both parent’s prior to beginning a treatment session.
Precautions
No matter their age, it is crucial that your children are mature enough to make informed decisions regarding whether or not they wish to have their hair permanently removed. They should understand any risks involved as well as any pre and post care instructions provided. Before treatment begins, children should refrain from using lotions, deodorant, sunless tanning products and any other products which interfere with laser targeting of hair follicles as this will interfere with laser targeting; also avoid sun exposure using at least SPF 30 sunscreen protection.
Procedure can cause some discomfort, so it’s essential that your child is willing to undergo treatment. If necessary, topical anesthetic may be used to make the experience more bearable. Teens should first visit their physician to have their hair growth monitored prior to commencing laser treatments as excessive hair growth may indicate medical conditions that warrant attention.
Make sure your child is receiving treatment from an appropriately qualified specialist; improper laser use could result in severe burns if done incorrectly.
Before beginning laser treatments, a consultation and test patch should be conducted, with an application of laser beam to measure results and the skin’s reaction. Your child should also be informed about potential side effects such as reddening and swelling of hair follicles; length and frequency of treatments; as well as what they need to expect during treatments.
Before receiving laser treatment, patients should refrain from shaving, plucking, waxing and using hair removal creams for six weeks as this may remove hair roots that prevent the laser from targeting. Furthermore, any tanning must fade prior to laser sessions as they could interfere with results.
Teenagers should also visit a clinic that specializes in laser hair removal. Though research on this matter remains scarce, these clinics should be better equipped to handle complications associated with improper laser usage and provide advice accordingly.
Side Effects
Children and teenagers often feel self-conscious about their body hair. It may make them self-conscious when going to the beach, playing sports or having friends over, as well as dating or making an impression in school. Because of this, many children and teens express interest in laser hair removal treatments as an option for improving their appearance.
Parents need to understand that laser hair removal is safe for their adolescents when administered by a qualified practitioner, but some risks should still be considered when performing the procedure. One such risk is skin irritation; this could occur if treatment is improperly conducted or used on inappropriate skin types; in addition, some teenagers may experience changes in pigmentation after treatment has completed.
Scarring can also be an unexpected side effect of laser treatment; however, this risk should only arise with untrained practitioners or when used on sensitive parts of the body. Although these instances do occur occasionally with qualified practitioners.
Other potential side effects may include redness, swelling and bruising due to laser technology’s ability to destroy hair follicles that produce unwanted hair. After surgery has taken place, patients’ skin may require some time for recovery before it resumes normal functions.
Teenagers with darker skin might require multiple laser treatments before seeing the desired effects, as laser light penetrates deeply into the tissue and can damage other cells. Therefore, it’s crucial that they choose a reputable salon that caters for all skin colors.
Laser hair removal for children should generally begin between the ages of 17-19, as younger adolescents still experiencing rapid hormonal shifts can contribute to increased hair growth. To ensure successful laser hair removal for your teen, they must have completed puberty and been menstruating regularly – this will ensure they’re not dealing with medical conditions such as PCOS (polycystic ovarian syndrome).
Though laser hair removal might seem like a simple decision for some parents, it’s best to wait until your child is older before using this technique. Meanwhile, you could try other hair removal methods such as shaving, plucking or waxing instead.
Results
As a teen, your appearance likely plays an integral part of who you are. Unfortunately, peer pressure often makes teens insecure about their body hair – whether this means young girls being teased for excessive facial and body hair growth, or boys feeling self-conscious with pubic hair growth – in either instance it is normal for this discomfort to exist and laser treatments offer hope to overcome such feelings of insecurity.
Hair removal methods vary, with razor shaving being one of the more painful options and leading to ingrown hairs. Waxing may also be effective but has risks such as chemical burns from cream depilatories; additionally, it requires time for new growth before you can wax again.
Laser treatments offer safe and long-term solutions for those looking to remove unwanted hair. These advanced lasers do not cause damage to the skin as they utilize non-ionizing energy; their focus lies solely on epidermis layer where hair follicles reside.
Prior to obtaining laser hair treatments for your children, make sure they are of sufficient maturity and understanding the process fully. They must attend their initial consultation and follow all required post-treatment care regimens with no complications; while pain is to be expected during treatments; there are available numbing creams which may reduce discomfort.
Results can speak for themselves; according to one study, 25 out of 28 patients experienced a significant reduction in hair growth without hyperpigmentation or scarring; note that it may take multiple sessions before you see optimal results.
Laser hair removal for teens can be safe when conducted by an experienced, qualified and certified specialist. You should read reviews about each practitioner before permitting your teen to undergo this treatment, and ensure they understand there may be minor discomfort involved with it.
