Laser hair removal is a safe and efficient method to permanently rid yourself of unwanted body hair, suitable for teenagers of all ages. It inhibits existing follicles as well as stopping new ones from growing; occasional touch-up treatments may be necessary.
However, if your teen is interested in this form of treatment, there are several things you must keep in mind.
Age
Many young children and preteens show an interest in laser hair removal treatments, often being motivated to pursue it by celebrities discussing it openly. The minimum age for laser treatments depends upon parental permission, maturity level and whether puberty has set in.
At puberty, most people grow excess body hair. While it doesn’t necessarily pose a health threat for most teenagers, excess hair growth can make them feel self-conscious – for instance girls may be teased for having excessive facial hair while guys may find it harder to gain women’s attention due to facial hair growth. Laser hair removal offers an effective solution.
Laser hair removal should only be attempted by teens who are old enough to understand its process and benefits, are willing to commit to several sessions, and follow aftercare instructions without direct sunlight exposure following each treatment session.
Under the care and expertise of an esthetician, laser hair removal for teenagers is completely safe. Some estheticians only offer this treatment to clients aged 18 or above; additionally, teens need a parent present during their initial consultation session and must provide written consent prior to beginning this treatment plan.
Teens undergoing laser hair removal treatments may experience discomfort during treatments, but this pain can be alleviated by avoiding foods known to trigger inflammation and applying topical numbing cream prior to the procedure. Cold compresses may also help ease any effects of discomfort after their session has concluded.
Laser hair removal is one of the best solutions to unwanted body hair. While more expensive than shaving or waxing, its results last much longer. By beginning treatment early, teens can save themselves both time and hassle by permanently ridding themselves of their unwanted body hair.
Skin Type
Laser hair removal works best on those with light skin and dark hair because their contrast helps the follicle absorb heat more readily than with darker complexions or blonde, gray or white locks. Unfortunately it may not work so efficiently for darker complexions or those sporting blonde or gray locks.
Laser hair removal involves passing a high-energy laser beam over your skin to vaporize hair, leaving behind small plumes of smoke with a sulfur scent. A treatment session may last from several minutes for upper lip hair or more than an hour for back and legs; pain experienced from this procedure should only be temporary, feeling like rubber bands snapping against skin; it might also feel hot and prickly; applying a cool compress can reduce its discomfort.
Laser hair removal for teenagers can be safe when performed by an experienced, licensed provider who specializes in treating young skin. Many teens seek this form of hair removal because it allows them to remove unwanted hair from the face, underarms and bikini area without resorting to painful waxing or razor shaving methods. Teens who have thin or sensitive skin may experience mild redness or swelling after receiving this type of treatment.
If your teenager is interested in laser hair removal, discuss with them to ensure they are mentally and physically prepared. It’s essential that they comprehend the benefits of eliminating unwanted hair removal treatments as well as any discomfort they might cause during treatment – though numbing creams may help ease discomfort during procedures; to be safe, discuss this aspect with their dermatologist first before beginning.
Teenagers considering laser hair removal should also expect several sessions and annual touch-up treatments after the skin heals; as the treatment inhibits hair follicles from growing new hair but doesn’t completely stop them, hair growth will slow over time, thus requiring fewer treatment sessions overall.
Hair Growth Rate
Children and preteens often become aware of unwanted body hair by the age of 8. At such an impressionable age, many may inquire about shaving and waxing treatments; others may express interest in having laser hair removal performed; this procedure can be relatively safe but permanent; therefore certain things need to be considered when making such an important decision for a young person.
At first, it is crucial to evaluate an individual’s hair growth rate. Like any aspect of their appearance, hair growth depends on genetics and other external influences; during puberty however, teens often develop unwanted body hair which laser hair removal can help eliminate. Laser treatment offers an alternative method for plucking or shaving hair away.
Teenagers who have completed puberty and begun menstruation cycles make excellent candidates for permanent laser hair removal treatments, since their hormone levels will have stabilized and they have experienced all of the rapid physical changes associated with puberty and menstruation cycles. This will make treatment more successful than if administered to someone still experiencing either phase.
Additionally, it is highly advised that any teenager seeking permanent laser hair removal be in good health before receiving the procedure in order to lower risks such as scarring and blistering and ensure faster healing times from treatment.
As with any cosmetic procedure, it is also crucial to ensure your teen is emotionally prepared for laser hair removal. While laser treatment is generally not pain-free, numbing cream can be used to lessen discomfort levels during treatment and even lead to some redness or swelling at the treated area.
Parents must assist their child in evaluating if they are physically and psychologically capable of undergoing permanent laser hair removal treatment. While this procedure is typically safe for most children and teenagers, some might be sensitive to the mild pain experienced during treatment.
Preparation
Teenagers can often feel insecure about their body hair. Young ladies concerned with excessive facial hair growth, athletes and models needing to show off their bodies or anyone wanting a smoother, more even appearance may benefit from laser treatment; but before going ahead with this procedure they must meet certain requirements first.
First and foremost, they must reach the minimum age requirement in their state for laser treatment. Furthermore, they should be mature enough to tolerate discomfort during and following pre and post treatment instructions such as wearing sunscreen and not shaving or plucking in the area that will be treated.
Ideal candidates for laser treatments should be between the ages of 17-20 as this is when their hormones have settled and there are less changes that impact hair growth. Furthermore, laser treatments tend to be more effective for this age range than earlier on in life.
Additionally, the individual should be in good overall health and should not suffer from any medical condition that interferes with normal hair follicle functioning. For instance, those suffering from PCOS (polycystic ovarian syndrome) should wait until this issue has resolved before beginning laser hair removal treatments.
Individuals should also understand that multiple treatment sessions will likely be required in order to get the results they want; hair can take months to stop growing back after laser treatments have taken place and results should become visible. Furthermore, sunlight should not be exposed on treated areas before or after each treatment session as this can damage skin cells and result in skin cancer.
Decisions on laser hair removal for adolescents should ultimately be made between themselves and their parents. While the treatment itself is relatively safe when performed by trained professionals who adhere to all applicable safety protocols, it may not be suitable for everyone due to differences between skin color and hair colour making it harder for lasers to detect pigmented areas beneath.
