Is There a Downside to Laser Hair Removal?

By Brian Lett
10 Min Read

is there a downside to laser hair removal

Laser hair removal is a semi-permanent solution to eliminate unwanted hair. Additionally, it reduces time spent shaving, waxing and tweezing – saving both money and effort in the process.

Procedure involves pressing a handheld device against the skin and activating the laser. Patients have reported feeling something similar to rubber band snapping against their skin during this process.

Cost

At first, laser hair removal may seem more costly than waxing or shaving; however, in the long run its costs should likely be less. When searching for a provider it’s essential that you find one with good reviews; prices can differ depending on treatment area, number of sessions needed and inflation price increases should also be factored into consideration.

At a laser hair removal session, specialists apply a numbing gel to the treatment area to minimize discomfort and protect skin. After applying this protection layer, practitioners use their laser to target melanin hair pigment and use this process to destroy its follicle and stop producing new hair growth follicles; depending on which areas produce hair faster, multiple sessions may be needed to achieve desired results.

Laser hair removal costs can be kept to a minimum by scheduling regular touch up sessions at regular intervals. Unfortunately, laser treatment won’t provide permanent relief from unwanted hair growth and you may still require waxing or shaving between treatments.

Preparing for laser hair removal requires shaving the area on the day of your appointment and refraining from plucking, waxing or plucking it between sessions. Also avoid direct sun exposure or tanning beds. After laser treatments may cause reddening or swelling; this usually subsides within six hours and should never be exfoliated until fully recovered.

Laser hair removal is considered cosmetic surgery, so most private insurance policies don’t cover its cost. If laser hair removal is necessary to treat an existing medical condition such as gender dysphoria, however, you may qualify for coverage.

Make sure that you consult with your insurer prior to using a flexible spending account or health savings account as they may incur tax penalties if used for non-qualified expenses. Also consult them regarding coverage decisions before making decisions regarding them.

Time

Laser treatments differ from other hair removal methods in that they require multiple sessions to reduce or eradicate unwanted hair. While some individuals may see visible results after four sessions, most will need at least six and often more for lasting effects – which adds both cost and maintenance time for ongoing results.

Lasering hair follicles may result in temporary pigmentation changes to those with darker complexions, though any visible pigmentation should subside after several months. To help avoid long-term pigmentation issues, it’s wise to visit a dermatologist regularly and use sunscreen.

One potential side effect of laser hair removal treatments is thicker and longer hair growth after each session, though this is not guaranteed for everyone. This occurs because the growth cycle has been disturbed, prompting hair follicles to produce coarser and darker strands; so before making your choice it would be wise to research other solutions first.

Laser hair removal can provide a lasting solution for unwanted body hair. Plus, its low maintenance requirements make it the ideal option. Shaving can be painful while waxing and threading may leave scars. Laser hair removal also reduces ingrown hairs while improving skin texture – ideal for those with darker complexions.

To maximize results from laser hair removal, it is vital that patients refrain from plucking and waxing the area they will be treating at least six weeks prior to their appointment. You should also limit sun exposure since the laser will target and destroy hair follicles which could potentially result in permanent scarring or discoloration of treated areas.

Side Effects

As with any procedure, laser hair removal does have some side effects; however, these tend to be mild and temporary. Redness and swelling are the two most frequently experienced side effects after treatment – these may last several hours or days post-procedure for darker skin colors as laser light may alter skin pigmentation; for this reason it’s essential that proper precautions be followed during both pre-treatment and treatment phases.

Laser hair removal treatments have the potential to leave scars after being performed by experienced practitioners, though this should rarely be a permanent effect. Scarring from initial treatments or complications such as poor healing is usually temporary if scarring does appear at all; rarely permanent scars result.

Laser hair removal carries with it the risk of infection, so the area where treatment took place will likely need to be bandaged or covered with topical antibiotic cream for healing purposes. Furthermore, anti-inflammatory drugs could hinder healing and cause serious side effects including blistering or burns that require medical intervention to resolve.

Laser hair removal can be safely administered by experienced practitioners, but isn’t advised for pregnant women due to no studies conducted by scientists on its safety during gestation. Pregnant women also tend to experience hormonal fluctuations that could compromise its results and make pregnancy-related hormonal imbalances exacerbate the procedure results. Furthermore, it shouldn’t be performed on people who have scarring from prior injuries such as keloid scarring or any other form of scarring as this would hinder healing processes during treatment.

Laser hair removal offers an effective alternative to shaving and waxing for getting rid of unwanted hair, though you will require multiple sessions before seeing lasting results. Furthermore, some hair may grow back between sessions but it will likely be thinner and lighter than before; so if this sounds interesting to you make an appointment today at Xanadu Med Spa!

Results

Laser hair removal is a noninvasive treatment that uses light to permanently eliminate unwanted hair growth. During treatment, light passes through your skin to target and destroy unwanted pigment in your hair follicles; once this happens, heat from the laser heats it and causes it to break down, thus stopping future growth of unwanted strands and also helping those already growing fall out – leaving an area smooth and hair-free!

Selecting a qualified practitioner for cosmetic procedures is key, such as Botox treatments. Registers exist to show they meet certain standards in training, skill, and insurance coverage – these practitioners should have proven themselves and built up an impressive track record when performing these kinds of cosmetic services. Pregnant or breastfeeding mothers should avoid having this treatment performed, as it could pose serious complications to their unborn baby.

Laser hair removal typically results in few side effects; however, some individuals may experience redness and swelling of their skin, similar to mild sunburn symptoms, that will dissipate in a few hours with cool compresses or gel packs applied to help ease them. It’s also essential that any area being treated be kept out of direct sunlight; sunscreen should always be worn when going outside for treatment purposes.

After several treatments, you should notice your hair is gradually falling out or no longer growing back; however, this process takes time and may take six to eight sessions for full effectiveness. In between treatments, some finer and less noticeable regrowth may occur;

Opponents who are allergic to light-sensitive substances should avoid this cosmetic procedure, including hair dyes, perfumes and some medications. If unsure whether you can undergo this process or not, speak to your physician first.

Some doctors do not advise having laser hair removal while pregnant as there have not been enough human studies conducted to show it’s safe. Hormonal changes during gestation can cause additional hairs to sprout unexpectedly in unwanted places; however, most women have this procedure done after giving birth as it’s typically safe.

Share This Article
Exit mobile version