Risk of Laser Hair Removal

Introduction

Laser hair removal is a non-surgical or non-invasive technique that removes unwanted hair from the body. Frequent waxing and shaving can be exhausting and time-consuming and are temporary and short-term solutions for hair removal. In addition, these methods can cause skin irritations, strawberry appearance, or breakouts. Laser hair removal offers long-lasting results,

What Is Laser Hair Removal?

Unwanted body hair will be removed with the help of laser light during laser hair removal. The treatment focuses on active hair follicles and requires multiple sessions for the desired results. In addition, maintenance hair removal treatments are essential to prolong the results. It is a non-invasive procedure and can be done to remove hair from any body part. When applied to these areas, the laser light damages the hair follicles (cells surrounding the hair root) and prevents future hair growth.

People usually opt to do laser hair removal techniques in the following areas:

• Legs.

• Armpit.

• Pubic areas (to remove pubic hair).

• Face (chin, around the lips, forehead, and cheeks)

• Back.

Who Can Opt for Laser Hair Removal?

Anyone wanting to eliminate unwanted excess body hair can do laser hair removal. The following types of candidates can also opt for this treatment:

• Women with hormonal abnormalities or PCOS (polycystic ovary syndrome) may develop unwanted hair growth in certain body parts.

• Women with hirsutism develop male-pattern hair growth on the chest, face, or back.

• People with difficulty shaving or waxing and sensitivity towards such acts can opt for laser hair removal.

• People under steroid-containing medications or hormone treatments may get altered and extra-thickened hair growth.

• People who have genetically excess body hair.

• People with dark and thick body hair.

When Is Laser Hair Removal Contraindicated?

Laser hair removal is not suitable in the following cases:

• Pregnancy: Laser hair removal during pregnancy can harm the baby or the mother. In addition, the altered hair growth or thickening during pregnancy may get normal postpartum. Therefore, it is better not to opt for a laser hair removal treatment during pregnancy.

• Skin Cancer: Laser hair removal emits energy that can aggravate skin cancer.

• Skin Healing Issues: Laser hair removal should not be done on a patient with skin healing issues.

• Sunburned Skin: Sunburned or damaged skin should be treated before the procedure.

• Albinism: Patients with albinism (absence of pigment in hair or skin) should not choose to do laser treatment.

• Herpes Infection: Laser treatment can aggravate an active herpes infection or cause recurrence during the treatment.

How Is Laser Hair Removal Done?

Following are the steps of laser hair removal:

• Preparation: The patient should be prepared for the treatment and let the dermatologist or plastic surgeon know about the expected outcomes, medical conditions, and allergic history. The professional will evaluate the patient and explain the procedure, the results, side effects, and possible complications.

• Procedure: The plastic surgeon will clean the target area. They will provide the patient with protective eyewear and wear one for themselves. A focused beam of laser light will be directed to the target area with the help of an instrument. The patient might feel mild to moderate discomfort during the procedure.

• Follow-up Sittings: Since laser hair removal works on actively growing hair follicles, multiple sittings may be required for considerable hair removal. In addition, future visits will help the dermatologist analyze the results.

What Are the Risks of Laser Hair Removal?

Even if laser hair removal is convenient and non-invasive, it has a few associated risks. Some of them are:

• Irritation: The patient might feel mild and temporary discomfort in the treated area.

• Blistering: The target area may develop bubbles filled with fluid called blisters.

• Redness: The area may get pigmented or reddened due to contact with laser light.

• Swelling: The area around the target follicle may get edematous or swollen.

• Crusting: The target areas may get dry and develop scales.

• Scarring: Scar tissues may develop after the treatment.

• Burns: The laser energy emitted is capable of causing skin burns.

• Altered Pigmentation: The target area becomes less pigmented (hypopigmentation) or more pigmented (hyperpigmentation).

• Infections: Rarely, the target tissue may get infected by bacteria, viruses, or fungi after the treatment.

• Herpes Outbreak: The laser light may cause the flaring up of herpes in previously affected areas. If the patient has an active infection, postponing the treatment should be considered.

• Bleeding: Bleeding spots may rarely appear in the target area.

What Are the Things to Consider While Choosing Laser Hair Removal?

Following are some things to keep in mind before a laser hair removal treatment:

• The candidate must know that side effects like bleeding, altered pigmentation, skin irritation, blistering, etc, may develop after the treatment. Most of these side effects are temporary, mild, and will disappear.

• In case of severe side effects, the patient should re-visit the doctor and take the required medications.

• Herpes simplex virus-infected patients should inform the doctor and take the required medications and precautions.

• If the patient gets any skin irritation, cuts, or inflammation during the appointment, it should be considered to postpone the treatment.

• The patient should control the underlying systemic conditions during the treatment course.

• Multiple, about six to eight, sittings may be required for the treatment.

• After the first sitting, patients may observe about a fifteen to twenty percent reduction in hair growth.

• The hair growth may be delayed for a few months, after which new hair strands start growing. The newly grown hair will usually be thinner and lighter.

Can Laser Hair Removal Cause Skin Cancer?

Studies are still progressing to confirm if a link exists between skin cancer and laser treatments. A strong belief or myth is circulating that long-term laser hair removal treatments can cause skin cancer. The wavelength of the laser is not capable enough to cause DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) damage or mutation. Skin cancer is caused when the skin gets exposed to radiation having a wavelength of the UV (ultraviolet) range. The wavelength of the light used in laser treatments is more prolonged and less energetic. Therefore, no evidence proves that laser treatments cause skin cancer.

Conclusion

Laser hair removal removes excess hair from the body by creating no cuts or incisions. The long-lasting results of the procedure are capable enough to convince people to opt for the same, to stay aesthetic, and to conserve time and energy. In addition, the patient should know the procedure, its benefits, and side effects before the treatment.