Laser hair removal is safe and non-damaging to the skin compared to waxing or shaving; it’s also relatively painless; however, some individuals may experience discomfort or even irritation from it.
Laser treatment heats and destroys pigment from hair follicles to stop future hair regrowth, typically taking multiple sessions until no further hair grows back from them.
1. It Doesn’t Work for Everyone
Body hair can be an inconvenient nuisance; from ingrowns to irritation from shaving, waxing and tweezing. Laser hair removal offers an effective solution, targeting and destroying hair follicles at their root points to stop future regrowth. While it might not work for everyone, laser treatments are safe and FDA-approved for home use.
This process works by targeting melanin pigment from hair follicles with laser energy. This allows it to differentiate between skin and hair follicle, making it easier for laser treatment of individual follicles without harming surrounding areas of skin. A full session could last between one hour and an hour depending on its size and nature of treatment area.
At first glance, laser hair removal may seem like the obvious choice for those with dark, coarse hair and fair skin; however, not everyone responds positively. This could be caused by genetics, medication, hormone changes or simply having certain types of hair that doesn’t respond. Unfortunately, due to not always being able to differentiate between hair and skin layers accurately enough, not everyone experiences optimal results from treatment.
Laser hair removal may not be effective for people with darker skin tones, particularly those who possess an array of red, green and blue undertones. Therefore it’s essential that individuals find a dermatologist familiar with treating patients of various skin types who also possess appropriate equipment – darker skin tones may be particularly sensitive to laser treatment’s light energy, potentially leading to burns or discolorations during laser hair removal sessions.
If you decide on laser hair removal, it is wise to refrain from plucking or waxing for six weeks prior and post treatment in order to help the laser target and extract hair roots more effectively as well as reduce risk for complications afterward.
At all times during and following laser treatment, it is essential that sun exposure be limited as much as possible; if necessary, wear sunblock and protective clothing. You should also expect some side effects, including redness and irritation caused by the intense heat generated by the laser; patients may also notice some minor changes to skin color that typically fade over time.
2. It’s Not Permanent
Laser hair removal differs from shaving, waxing and depilatory creams in that it damages hair from its root rather than only superficially removing it. Therefore, laser treatment offers one of the most permanent ways to rid oneself of unwanted hair; however, initial and maintenance sessions must first be scheduled to ensure optimal results are reached.
Though laser hair removal results may take months to fully take effect, most often they last several years – though hair may eventually grow back more finely and sparsely than its original state.
Laser treatments should not be considered permanent solutions to unwanted hair due to the three distinct phases of growth for hair follicles. Laser only works effectively during an active growth stage and therefore must be repeated on an ongoing basis for maximum effectiveness.
Consider all of the time and effort involved with traditional hair removal methods like shaving or waxing and it becomes clear why laser therapy has become such an appealing solution. At-home options can often result in bumps, ingrown hairs or even painful folliculitis – not to mention being costly!
Laser hair removal side effects are relatively uncommon when performed by a trained practitioner, and in the event they do arise they can often be reduced by following simple post-treatment guidelines such as keeping skin moisturized and protected from sun exposure.
If any adverse side effects do arise, they typically resolve themselves within several hours after your procedure. Furthermore, it’s wise to refrain from epilating, plucking or waxing the area prior to laser therapy as this will prevent its light from reaching hair follicles that need disabling by laser light.
Laser hair removal results may not be permanent, but they do last for an extended period and require much less upkeep than alternative methods. With an experienced practitioner and proper setup in place, laser hair removal offers permanent reduction in unwanted hair that requires little upkeep going forward.
3. It’s Not Affordable
If you spend much of your time online searching for beauty solutions, chances are that you have seen advertisements offering affordable laser hair removal near you. Unfortunately, the advertised price seems too good to be true and could actually end up costing more than buying razor blades or waxing strips monthly.
Cost of laser hair removal depends upon both the machine used and practitioner experience; inexperienced practitioners cannot achieve optimal results while high quality machines and skilled practitioners work hand in hand for maximum efficacy.
Select a practitioner certified and registered with a national body to demonstrate they have the appropriate expertise for this procedure. This ensures they possess all of the required knowledge, skills and abilities for safe laser treatments. Be wary of spas and salons offering nonmedical staff-provided laser treatments as this could result in burns, scarring and pigmentation issues requiring medical intervention to address.
Laser hair removal can be costly because multiple sessions may be needed before any visible results appear. Hair grows in cycles, and lasers only target active follicles during their growth phase. Therefore, this treatment needs to continue for many weeks or months until you see results of your session.
Once your results have been accomplished, long-term benefits should follow. These could include more even skin tone, reduced hair growth and lighter finer locks when they do return. Laser treatment can also reduce stretch marks caused by pregnancy or weight loss while helping reduce ingrown hairs.
Investing in laser hair removal treatments may be worth your while if you have enough money; no longer will you have to shave, wax or pluck unwanted hair! Plus you will save both money and time. But if your funds are limited it may be wiser to stick with traditional methods; while they may cost more over time but they provide greater convenience.
4. It’s Not Safe
Laser hair removal does come with risks. Misuse or unexperienced practitioners could lead to burns and scarring; additionally, treatment could stimulate more hair growth; in such instances you should consult either your practitioner or physician immediately for advice.
Though laser hair removal has its drawbacks, the procedure can have numerous advantages over more traditional methods of hair removal such as waxing or threading. Furthermore, laser treatment is much faster and far less painful than shaving as well as leaving no prickly stubble behind. Finally, its precision means it can target specific parts of the body where hair growth is excessive.
Laser hair removal procedures performed by trained laser technicians are generally safe and have no long-term side effects; however, self-use can be dangerous with potential risks including burns, blisters and discoloration of the skin.
Individuals may experience unpleasant side effects like swelling and itching; these side effects are common but typically resolve within several hours.
If you are considering laser hair removal, it is vital to conduct extensive research in order to find a certified cosmetic clinic and an experienced laser technician. Furthermore, it is crucial that after each laser hair removal session you avoid direct sun exposure since its powerful laser could potentially cause discoloration in your skin.
Myths regarding laser hair removal abound, including claims that it causes cancer or damages your organs. Such claims are completely false as the lasers used during the procedure only emit small amounts of radiation which targets only hair follicles and roots to produce heat which destroys them and prevents future hair growth. Furthermore, there has never been evidence that laser hair removal causes cancer or renders you sterile or infertile.
