Many teens feel embarrassed by excess body hair, yet shaving, plucking and waxing can be painful and time consuming. Laser hair removal may provide an effective and safe treatment option for adolescents provided it is performed by a certified professional.
Experts advise waiting until a teen has finished puberty and, in females, started menstruation before initiating therapy to ensure their body can handle treatment effectively.
Age
Laser treatments offer more permanent solutions than shaving and cream depilatories, so your child must understand that multiple sessions may be necessary before hair becomes permanently gone. Furthermore, your teenager must adhere to pre- and post-treatment instructions such as avoiding excessive sun exposure for their treatment to work effectively.
Many teens begin seeking ways to rid their bodies of unwanted body hair during their teenage years as a means of building self-confidence and improving appearance. If your teen feels self-conscious about excess hair on their arms or legs, or is being pressured by friends to shave armpits and legs, laser hair removal could be the ideal solution.
Experts advise waiting until a teen has completed puberty and, if female, started menstruation before considering laser treatments as hormonal changes may cause new hair growth that prevents long-term results from being attained.
If your teenager is interested in laser hair removal, it is imperative that they find a qualified professional with experience to safely perform the procedure. Lasers have been known to cause irreparable harm if treated by unqualified therapists as the laser beam can absorb into tissue surrounding its target, leading to burns, pigment changes or scarring as a result of laser absorption.
Professionals use topical numbing creams to ensure that your child experiences minimal discomfort during treatment sessions. They will provide you with a list of precautions and potential side effects to look out for and review your child’s medical history, such as allergies, to ensure the treatment is safe.
Laser hair removal can be an effective and safe treatment option for teens, provided you choose an experienced provider and consider their age when selecting an approach. To find out more, reach out to Spa Noor in Fall River, MA now – we would love to schedule a consultation session!
Skin type
Under the guidance of an experienced practitioner, laser hair removal for children under 16 is safe and well-tolerated, offering them a chance to feel more at ease with themselves during times of self-consciousness caused by excess body hair – particularly among girls who often receive ridicule for such traits.
However, laser hair removal should only be undertaken after careful consideration. Prior to having their first session of laser hair removal at age 16, children should be mature enough to understand that it will involve multiple sessions that lead to permanent hair reduction. They also must adhere to all pre- and post-treatment instructions including staying out of direct sunlight and using effective sunscreen regularly.
Teens seeking laser treatments must first have skin that can tolerate laser treatments. As your complexion darkens, you are more likely to experience undesirable side effects from lasers like hyperpigmentation, dark spots and scarring from laser treatments. Therefore, prior to pursuing laser therapies it is wise to consult a dermatologist and get professional advice as this will ensure a treatment will be safe and effective for your unique situation.
Van Luschan scale provides seven classifications of skin type. Type I (fair-skinned people), scoring 0-6 on this scale, usually experience sunburn when exposed. They rarely tan and typically possess blonde or red hair, blue eyes, and freckles. Type II, moderate skinned people scoring 7-13 tend to tan sometimes but not consistently; and typically possess blonde or red hair, blue eyes, and freckles.
Type III skin tones range from 14-20 on this scale. While they can tan on occasion, their complexion often remains cream white in some areas. Furthermore, these individuals typically possess either blonde or red hair, blue or green eyes, and freckles.
After identifying your skin type, it’s also important to avoid shaving and other hair removal methods like plucking and waxing before receiving laser treatment, as these could reduce its efficacy and even lead to thickening of hair follicles or damage of their structure. Also important: avoid darkening creams that darken skin as these could potentially have undesirable side effects.
Hormones
Teenagers frequently experience increased levels of self-consciousness due to physical changes associated with puberty. Teens may feel self-conscious about their body hair or feel pressure from peers to have certain appearances for success; as a result, this could prompt them to inquire about laser hair removal treatments.
Laser hair removal treatments may provide an attractive solution to teenagers who are frustrated with the time and effort required to shave or use other forms of hair reduction, like waxing. Shaving can cause razor burn, ingrown hairs and “shaving bumps”. Waxing requires multiple sessions and may leave skin sensitive. Cream depilatories have even been known to cause chemical burns – all things which make laser treatment an efficient and permanent alternative solution.
Laser treatment should still be administered correctly to avoid potential harm, so it is essential that a well-trained and certified professional administers it. Virginia state law mandates that anyone administering laser treatments must first gain approval from a physician, nurse practitioner or physician assistant prior to beginning.
Due to lack of maturity, most estheticians don’t provide services to children under 12 unless it’s for an emergency procedure. Teenagers don’t understand that laser hair removal involves multiple sessions and provides permanent solutions for unwanted body hair; plus they might not be able to tolerate any discomfort caused by it.
Parents looking to engage their teens in laser hair removal should consult with a dermatologist for advice and guidelines. It is crucial that the teenager can handle any discomfort experienced during treatment as well as comply with pre- and post-treatment instructions, along with being able to adhere to their recommended schedule of treatments.
Laser hair removal should be safe for children under 16 when performed by a professionally-trained and certified laser technician. Furthermore, they should not suffer from medical conditions like Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) which increase hair growth rates.
Safety
Excess body hair can create issues for teens. From young girls sensitive about their appearance, to models for whom hair removal could make or break their careers, being judged on whether their skin looks flawless is pressure enough from peers to consider laser hair removal as an option – however it should be remembered that without professional guidance it could prove dangerous; so it is best left in the hands of professionals experienced and certified in laser treatments.
If you are considering laser hair removal for your teen, the first thing to remember is that non-professional services could cause skin burns. Furthermore, make sure that they understand what to expect, as this process requires multiple sessions and may be uncomfortable for them.
Laser hair removal is far less invasive than waxing or shaving and can save your teen both money and time in the long run. Shaving can lead to ingrown hairs and shaving bumps while cream depilators may cause chemical burns; laser treatments remove unwanted hair directly from its source without harming surrounding tissues.
Laser treatments may also assist your teen in becoming more self-confident during a vital period in their lives. If they feel insecure about themselves due to how they look, developing confidence may prove challenging; having smooth and soft skin can boost both their self-esteem and confidence, as well as improve mental wellbeing overall.
Because of these reasons, laser hair removal for children under 16 is permitted; however, treatment must be conducted by an experienced and certified expert and an informed parent must give written consent during their initial consultation session. Furthermore, children should avoid using sunless creams or tanning beds to help achieve a lighter complexion for this process.
