Teens often feel self-conscious about their body hair. For instance, they might worry that their thighs appear too thick or facial hair is excessively visible.
Laser hair removal is safe for teens when administered by a certified esthetician and can reduce shaving time and protect against razor burn.
Age Requirements
Many children and preteens are showing an increasing interest in laser hair removal. Perhaps their favorite celebrities have discussed it, or they may simply desire more polished appearance. While laser hair removal is safe for anyone over 14 years of age, only certified experts with experience working with young skin should perform it. Also note that tanning prevents its effectiveness so if your child spends much time outdoors then consider other solutions for body hair reduction such as waxing.
Although technically possible for teenagers to receive this treatment, experts do not advise it due to hormonal fluctuations that make this approach ineffective. Instead, waiting until age 18 when hormone levels have stabilized is recommended so treatment will be more successful.
However, there is no official minimum age required for laser hair removal; each teenager hits puberty at his/her own pace. On average, most biological females go through puberty between eight-13, with males experiencing it 10-13. The best way to determine whether your child is suitable for this treatment is speaking with an esthetician.
Make sure your teenager visits a reputable spa for their treatment as the equipment used may not be designed specifically to treat young skin. Furthermore, their technician must be able to adjust laser settings according to skin tone and hair color to avoid disfiguring burns caused by mismatches with hair color or type. It’s also worth remembering that certain laser types do not work as well on dark hair or very light skin, making research essential before selecting an esthetician specializing in laser hair removal for teens – though many experienced estheticians specialize in working on treating younger skin issues themselves!
Safety
Children and preteens often express interest in laser hair removal to remove unwanted body hair, increase comfort, and boost self-esteem. Ultimately, however, this decision must be made jointly between a teenager and his or her parents; for effective semi-permanent hair reduction treatment to be undertaken it should have occurred after puberty has taken place and be fully understood by both parties involved.
Laser hair removal can be a safe option for teens if performed by a licensed aesthetician with parental oversight and through multiple sessions, which will yield permanent results – this procedure provides an efficient alternative to shaving that doesn’t cause razor bumps, ingrown hairs, cuts or razor burn. Furthermore, it’s less painful than waxing which may lead to chemical burns resulting in chemical burns from chemical-burned wax strips!
Teens considering laser hair removal must avoid prolonged sun exposure prior to and following treatments, as exposure can cause skin darkening or lightening, compromising its results. Cream depilatories should also be avoided as these can cause chemical burns as well.
Laser hair removal works by emitting a concentrated beam of light from a machine that absorbs melanin pigment found in hair follicles, turning energy into heat to damage and inhibit hair follicles and reduce new hair growth. When searching for an esthetician with experience performing this treatment on their specific skin type and color.
Before beginning treatment, teens will need to shave and avoid tanning as this treatment does not work on it. Speak to an esthetician about safe hair removal products suitable for use during tanning as well.
Teens participating in laser hair removal should wear protective eyewear to minimize potential redness or rashes that could appear after treatment, apply ice packs to treatment areas after each session, and limit sun exposure until after they have completed laser hair removal.
Precautions
Laser hair removal requires taking certain precautions, especially when treating teenagers who might not fully comprehend what’s involved. Parents must do their research and ensure the specialist they’ve hired is certified, experienced, and professional.
Laser hair removal devices emit non-ionizing radiation that cannot damage skin or cause eye injuries; it may, however, cause temporary changes to pigment of skin; these changes typically do not become noticeable; but may occur on areas of body exposed to sun, such as faces, hands, legs or arms.
Before beginning laser hair removal treatments, it is often advised that the area be shaved. While not essential, shaving can aid in pinpointing where laser beams need to aim and keeps shorter hair from breaking off after treatment.
Prior to any skin treatments, your skin must first be properly cleansed using mild soap and warm water. In order to prevent irritation or burns from lotions or creams being applied directly onto treated areas, loose-fitting cotton clothes are advisable after treatment sessions.
After several sessions, most people notice a dramatic reduction in hairs. While new ones may still grow back, they should be far lighter and thinner than before. Because this treatment is not permanent, regular maintenance appointments must be kept.
Teenagers face immense stress, so it isn’t surprising that they may wish to remove excess hair from their bodies. Unfortunately, parents sometimes question if laser hair removal treatments are safe for teens at all; when performed by qualified practitioners however, laser treatments have proven very safe and effective; but it should be remembered that lasers can be dangerous when misused improperly.
Cost
If your teenager has expressed an interest in laser hair removal, you may be wondering whether they’re ready. When assessing this question, considerations include parental permission and maturity level as well as whether puberty has hit. If they have not, alternative hair removal methods are recommended until that happens.
Laser hair removal differs from shaving and waxing in that it directly targets the roots of hair growth, rather than just surface-level removal. Light energy from a laser beam is converted to heat energy that destroys hair follicles to stop further hair production. While initially more costly than purchasing razors and shaving cream, laser treatment will eventually save money due to no maintenance requirements required on regular basis.
Cost of laser hair removal depends on both your geographic location and specialist you choose, so shop around and compare prices before making a decision. Also remember that this treatment falls under cosmetic surgery, and will likely not be covered by your health insurance.
Finding an experienced laser hair removal specialist who specializes in treating teens and works with different skin tones can be essential in providing safe results for your child’s unique situation. An individual should also be able to customize the laser according to his or her unique skin tone and hair color – this ensures optimal safety during treatments while producing effective outcomes.
Laser hair removal should generally be safe for children and teens with sensitive skin, though you should ensure they wear high SPF sunscreen when out in the sun, and avoid self-tanner products for several weeks prior to their appointment.
If your teen needs this treatment for specific reasons, such as excess body hair due to gender dysphoria, speak with both their physician and insurer about coverage options. Keep in mind, though, that most insurers won’t consider this a medically necessary procedure; thus requiring a significant out-of-pocket payment.
