Is Laser Hair Removal Safe for Children?

Brian Lett
By Brian Lett
10 Min Read

Parents of teenage girls can feel overwhelmed at the prospect of their daughters shaving their body hair, and can also worry about unqualified specialists providing laser treatments incorrectly.

Though children can use traditional hair removal methods such as shaving and cream depilatories to remove unwanted hair, such as shaving or cream depilatories, until they reach at least 12 years of age they should consider laser hair removal as a possible solution.

Age

Teenagers may feel self-conscious about body hair that they find unsightly, which can be time consuming to shave or tweeze or painful with waxing. Laser hair removal offers an effective solution that’s permanent; however, due to potential pigmentation changes and skin irritation it should only be performed on children aged 12 or above. Furthermore, estheticians may use topical numbing creams in order to help children tolerate treatment more comfortably.

According to most experts, teenagers should wait at least 14 years before receiving laser hair removal treatments. Younger skin is more susceptible to becoming bruised or bleeding during sessions; moreover, hormonal fluctuations during puberty may alter how fast new hairs grow back after laser treatments are completed.

While some estheticians may offer laser hair removal treatments to children under 12, most prefer working with teens who are at least 12 years old. This is because teenagers have reached maturity enough to decide for themselves if they wish to receive the procedure and more likely adhere to its protocol; additionally, their skin may better handle treatments without experiencing side effects like irritation and discoloration.

One important thing to keep in mind when considering laser hair removal treatments for teenagers is that multiple sessions will likely be required before seeing any visible results. Teenagers may even require multiple sessions each year until their body produces less hair, which may take several years and several additional treatments each time if constitutional hirsutism, polycystic ovarian syndrome and congenital melanocytic naevus occur as conditions which compromise its effectiveness.

Before beginning hair removal treatments on teenagers, it’s essential that research be conducted and you find a highly trained specialist capable of performing them properly. Furthermore, it would be a good idea to consult your child’s physician prior to commencing treatment, particularly if she has experienced previous keloid scarring or skin disorders in the past.

Skin Type

Age aside, children’s skin type also plays a critical role in whether laser hair removal is safe. Children have thin and more fragile blood vessels, making them more prone to bruises or bleeding during procedures. They also contain less melanin which means laser may not detect their hair as effectively.

Since children under age 14 may experience uneven results and increased risks of burns from laser treatment, it is wiser for them to wait until they reach adulthood before seeking laser treatments.

However, this doesn’t mean they should forego hair removal altogether in the meantime. Shaving can lead to ingrown hairs while cream depilatories have been known to cause chemical burns; luckily there are other methods that may provide relief.

One option for hair removal is waxing, which can leave skin looking smoother and more attractive; however, it can be painful and uncomfortable for children with sensitive skin. In addition, waxing may leave red marks that become irritated afterward. An epilator may be another great option to help remove unwanted hair; just make sure it is gentle on their skin!

Teenagers tend to favor shaving as an effective means for hair removal; however, this method should not be used with children as it can lead to cuts and ingrown hairs as well as being less effective as hair often grows back thicker and darker than before. Furthermore, it may cause painful irritation for sensitive skinned children who cannot stand having their skin touched!

Laser treatments should be avoided by people suffering from severe skin conditions like eczema or psorias. Laser treatment could exacerbate their conditions further and worsen scarring, while those living with certain health issues like Lupus should refrain from getting laser therapy as this could trigger their immune systems into overreacting and overreacting to treatments.

As a rule, most dermatologists will not perform laser hair removal treatments during gestation. Women should wait until hormone fluctuations have subsided before considering getting their hair removed.

Hormone Levels

Laser hair removal is an increasingly popular and effective alternative to shaving, waxing, plucking or epilating unwanted hair. While generally considered safe when performed by licensed and trained professionals, there may be certain health considerations related to diabetic patients having difficulties healing, medication that causes keloid scarring as well as pregnant and breastfeeding women not having enough research done yet as to its impact.

Experts generally agree that children under 14 years old should wait at least until puberty and menstruation (in females) has occurred before undergoing laser treatments, due to thinner skin and smaller blood vessels. As these processes alter hormone levels and their impact on hair follicles can damage them further during adolescence.

Adolescent hormones can accelerate hair growth rapidly. Laser hair removal treatments may help slow this process but won’t prevent new hairs from growing back; thus requiring multiple sessions over the course of a year to experience noticeable results.

While it may be tempting for teens to wish away unwanted hair, parents need to carefully consider both its advantages and risks before embarking on such a course of action. Once in place, this process can help build self-esteem while giving their daughter more confidence when in public.

Notably, there is no proof that laser hair removal can lead to infertility; however, teens must avoid tanning beds and artificial sunlight before their treatment as this could interfere with its effectiveness and increase risks such as redness, swelling or blisters. Furthermore, an area not completely shaved prior can make treatment harder or produce less desirable results.

Treatment

Moms and dads of children interested in laser hair removal for their bodies might have questions about whether it’s safe. After all, many children begin feeling self-conscious about their body hair from an early age; laser hair removal offers a permanent solution without risk of ingrown hairs or razor burn compared to shaving or cream depilatories that may cause chemical burns.

Laser hair removal for teens usually begins at age 14, though experts often advise waiting until puberty has fully progressed and (in female teens) menstruation has begun. Furthermore, they should be hormonally stable without medical issues like polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS).

Once a teenager reaches this age, treatment may be safely administered. Before beginning treatments, however, numbing cream should be applied to their skin in order to alleviate discomfort and minimize burning and scarring risks. It should also be applied prior to every laser session for added peace of mind.

Keep in mind that laser treatments have proven successful at treating many dermatologic conditions in children and teens, including hemangiomas, port-wine stains, pigmented lesions, and scarring. Therefore, pediatric dermatologists are ideal choices to perform laser procedures on them.

Laser hair removal can usually be safely administered to children and teenagers when performed by experienced and qualified professionals. Teenagers under 18 must be present during their initial consultation session and provide written consent prior to initiating treatment.

Before beginning laser treatments, it is also advisable for teens to avoid exposure to sun and self-tanner, as this can make their skin sensitive to its wavelength. They should also avoid taking any medications which warn against sun exposure (e.g. Accutane). Tanning beds should also be avoided and any products containing vitamin A (such as glycolic acid, beta-hydroxy acid or retinol).

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