Laser hair removal employs blasts of concentrated light to destroy the microscopic follicles responsible for hair growth. When this laser beam interacts with melanin found in your hair and skin, its heat penetrates deep within its structure causing irreparable damage to follicles that prevent further hair growth.
The treatment is safe and does not contain UV rays that could potentially cause cancer; however, after each session your skin may become more sensitive than usual.
Does it cause skin cancer?
With so many factors that could contribute to cancer, laser hair removal may cause some people to be wary. But rest assured: laser light does not contain UV rays which are known to damage DNA in skin cells and increase your risk for skin cancer.
Laser hair removal utilizes low-energy infrared radiation that does not penetrate deeply enough into skin cells to alter genetic material and there have been no confirmed cases of cancer from exposure to such non-ionizing radiation.
Dependent upon your skin type and laser used for treatment, you may experience mild discomfort or redness during the procedure; however, this typically subsides quickly.
After any laser hair removal treatment, it’s crucial that you avoid direct sun exposure as your skin will be more vulnerable than usual to burning or damage from UV rays. Therefore, use sunscreen with an SPF rating of 30+ when going outside afterwards.
Utilizing a quality laser in conjunction with experienced professionals is the key to ensuring optimal results without complications. When scheduling your laser hair removal appointment, be sure to select a reputable provider who can assess your skin tone and type as well as potential medical concerns before providing customized recommendations tailored specifically to you.
Others might worry that laser hair removal could trigger alopecia, or baldness due to stress-induced immune system dysfunction, not from laser treatments alone.
Before beginning laser hair removal treatments, it’s essential to avoid shaving or depilatory cream use as this can cause irritation and ingrown hairs. Furthermore, sunlight may make targeting hair follicles harder for laser technology.
Does it damage the genetic material in your cells?
Laser beams used in hair removal don’t contain the harmful UV wavelengths known to damage cell DNA and increase risk of skin cancer, meaning ongoing laser treatments for hair removal don’t increase your risk of cancer or any other form of mutations or mutations.
Laser energy works by being absorbed by dark target matter such as melanin. This causes heat to be generated within hair follicles and ultimately shutting them down and stopping production of hair. Lasers are able to differentiate between skin pigmentation and hair pigmentation, so treatments with darker skin and higher concentration of hair follicles tend to work best; hence the laser beam being more likely to identify and kill these hair follicles more successfully.
Misconceptions about laser hair removal during pregnancy vary; one common misperception is that laser treatments will harm the unborn fetus directly; although these are safe treatments overall, pregnant or breastfeeding women should never use laser devices without first consulting their healthcare provider first. Furthermore, laser treatments won’t be as successful for fetuses so if you are uncertain whether you are expecting or breastfeeding consult your healthcare provider prior to receiving any laser hair treatments.
Though laser treatment should not cause skin cancer, you should still use sunscreen following it to protect the area being treated from potential pigmentation issues that may develop post-treatment. Furthermore, any blisters or scabs that appear should be left alone as picking at them increases the chance of permanent scarring.
If you’re tired of suffering nicks and cuts due to shaving, waxing, or plucking hairs from your body, laser hair removal should be considered as a solution. Best of all, laser removal usually only requires four to six treatments plus occasional maintenance to permanently eradicate unwanted hair – less maintenance is required than with shaving or threading!
Can it cause other forms of cancer?
Laser hair removal is a safe and effective solution for unwanted hair removal. Light energy targets melanin (pigment) in hair follicles to damage them during their active growth cycle; eventually the follicle stops producing hair altogether and skin becomes smoother with less buildup of unwanted fuzz.
While ultraviolet radiation is known to cause DNA mutations, laser hair removal doesn’t emit this radiation – making it an incredibly safe procedure suitable for both men and women of all skin tones.
Laser hair removal does not pose serious side effects; however, there may be potential complications such as blistering, scarring and herpes simplex virus infections; however, these side effects are rare and usually result from not following instructions properly for treating the area being treated. It is advised to use sunscreen prior to and post-treatment.
If you experience any symptoms, it is recommended that you see a doctor immediately in order to receive appropriate medications and other treatments to avoid potential side effects. Furthermore, it is wise to limit plucking, waxing and electrolysis procedures six weeks before undergoing treatments as these processes temporarily remove hair roots which reduce effectiveness of electrolysis procedures.
Notably, it is key that you select a professional and reputable company with trained and licensed technicians. Always verify a technician’s credentials prior to scheduling an appointment.
Laser hair removal is an effective, quick, and painless procedure that typically takes place in an office of a dermatologist, plastic surgeon or cosmetic surgeon.
Procedure involves passing a handheld flashgun over the skin, emitting light energy which absorbs melanin present in hair follicles and kills them to prevent future hair growth. Along with hair removal, this type of laser treatment is also commonly used to treat spider veins, improve skin tone and texture, remove acne spots, reduce signs of aging and treat spider bites.
Does it damage your skin?
The sun emits radiation of various kinds, including harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays that penetrate deep into your skin to damage its DNA, potentially leading to cancer. Laser beams used for hair removal do not contain these wavelengths and thus do not pose any threat to cells in any way.
Laser light may cause darkening to your skin, but this effect is often due to side-effects rather than results of treatment itself. The laser’s light penetrates beyond your skin’s pigment to reach pigment-rich tissues below. In rare instances this could also result in redness, swelling or blistering on very sensitive or damaged skin types.
If you decide to undergo laser hair removal, it is essential that you protect yourself from direct sunlight by staying out of it before and after each session. Furthermore, sunscreen will help shield your skin from UV rays.
Consider scheduling your laser hair removal sessions during winter or other times when sunlight exposure will be reduced, and even on areas such as your armpits that typically don’t see much direct sun.
Laser hair removal can be an excellent way to permanently get rid of unwanted hair and reduce maintenance needs, but you should know it may require four to six sessions before permanent results become evident. Furthermore, it may be uncomfortable and require ongoing care such as using razors on any ingrown hairs or bumps that appear during treatment.
Prevent discomfort and maximize results by planning ahead for laser sessions. To do so, it is wise to avoid skin lighteners that contain ingredients that could obstruct laser beams from targeting hair follicles effectively, and refrain from shaving or any other hair removal methods prior to laser therapy sessions as this could potentially disturb hair follicles and lead to unwanted results.
