Laser hair removal is a medical procedure that uses a laser — an intense, pulsating beam of light — to remove unwanted hair. During laser hair removal, a laser beam passes through the skin to an individual hair follicle. The intense heat of the laser damages the hair follicle, which inhibits future hair growth.
Laser hair removal is most effective for people who have light skin and dark hair. Although laser hair removal effectively slows hair growth, it doesn't guarantee permanent hair removal. It typically takes several laser hair removal treatments to provide an extended hair-free period. Periodic maintenance treatments may be needed as well.
On What areas of the body is Laser Hair Removal performed?
Common treatment locations include legs, armpits, upper lip, chin and bikini line. However, it's possible to treat unwanted hair in nearly any area.
Hair color and skin type influence the success of laser hair removal. For example, laser hair removal is most effective for people who have light skin and dark hair because the laser beam targets the pigment (melanin) in the hair. People who have darker skin can also attempt laser hair removal, but the laser beam may also affect the melanin in the skin. Laser hair removal isn't generally effective for white, blond or gray hair — although treatment options for lighter hair continue to be investigated.
Is Laser Hair Removal Permanent?
Some laser centers claim that removed hair will stay gone permanently, just by getting the right amount of visits with their machine. As to date, there is no laser equipment that has been approved by the FDA for permanent hair removal. However, the FDA has approved laser hair removal machines with permanent hair reduction because it can rid hair on the right candidates for long periods of time, with multiple treatments.
Hair growing back at some point is still possible, whether it's a reduced amount, finer version, or combination of both. According to The Mayo Clinic, lasers can reduce hair counts 40% to 80%.
Laser Hair Removal Side Effects
A large proportion of clinical tests and investigative materials about laser hair reduction do not fully address the issues of Side Effects Of laser hair removal. If you are considering this treatment, you should be cognizant of the following potential side effects.
Laser Scars Most patients are concerned about the chances of scarring when undergoing reduction of hair with laser treatment. While this has been known to happen in the past, particularly in patients with tanned skin, these days the new laser machinery has all but eliminated this side effect.
Injury to Eye Laser eye safety is critically important during any therapy involving lasers. To avoid any damage to the eyes, wavelength-specific laser safety eyewear must be donned by both operators and clients.
Tattoo Darkening If you have tattoos in the area of the body being treated, you should be aware that darkening is sometimes experienced and discuss this with your doctor before undergoing laser procedures.
Reddening After Treatment The dermis may be transiently reddened after repeated laser exposure. It is one of the minor side effects of laser hair removal. Proper cooling and the use of proper exposure time during the therapy minimizes this side effect.
Skin Blistering With the introduction of new and efficient cooling devices, blistering has been pretty much eliminated as a problem caused by laser hair removal. Tissue cooling can be performed through a contact chill tip or freezing spray to safeguard the dermis. These measures serve to safeguard the skin from excessive thermal abuse.
Crusting 10% of clients treated for laser hair reduction with long-pulsed ruby and alexandrite lasers may develop crusting. This is generally as a result of repeatedly over treating an area of the body with laser. When this occurs, appropriate post procedural care is very much recommended in order to avoid further side effects.
Wound Infection Wound infection is uncommon after laser procedures. In the rare circumstances that any wounds are to be seen on the dermis after laser hair reduction, infection can be avoided with antibiotic and anti viral materials.
Darkening of the Skin Whichever the type of laser that is used, there may be hyper pigmentation of skin after exposure to lasers. In this reaction the skin becomes darker as a result of increased pigment deposition. Usually tanned skin has a greater chance to develop this. The good news is that it can be readily treated with the use of bleaching materials and does not last long.
Hypo Pigmentation Lightening of the dermis, or hypo pigmentation, can occur, particularly in tanned skin types and where there are multiple exposures to laser procedures. It normally does not last long; permanent hypo pigmentation is hardly ever seen. This side effect is mostly experienced with use of alexandrite, Q-switched ruby and Nd:YAG lasers.
How Concerned Should You Be? Laser hair reduction is an critically safe therapy; the side effect we have described are very uncommon. To keep yourself as safeguarded as possible, always use a reputable laser hair clinic with a doctor you can trust, and you are likely to encounter no side effects of laser hair removal at all!
Getting it done
If you're interested in laser hair removal, choose a doctor who's board certified in a specialty such as dermatology or cosmetic surgery and has experience with laser hair removal. If a physician's assistant or licensed nurse will do the procedure, make sure the doctor supervises and is available on-site during the treatments. Be cautious about spas, salons or other facilities that allow nonmedical personnel to do laser hair removal.
Before laser hair removal, schedule a consultation with the doctor. He or she will use this visit to:Review your medical history-including medication use, discuss risks, benefits and expectations, including what laser hair removal can and can't do for you, Outline a treatment plan and related costs, Take photos to be used for before-and-after assessments and long-term reviews
The doctor will also offer specific tips to prepare for laser hair removal. For example:
Stay out of the sun. A tan increases the risk of side effects, such as blistering and discoloration. If you have a tan — either from sun exposure or sunless tanning products — wait until the tan fades completely before undergoing laser hair removal.
Avoid plucking, waxing and electrolysis. These hair removal methods can disturb the hair follicle and interfere with laser hair removal. Shaving is OK, however, since it preserves the hair shaft and follicle. In fact, shaving may even be recommended. Some studies suggest that shaving before laser hair removal improves results.
Before laser hair removal, you'll be fitted with special goggles to protect your eyes from the laser beam. The doctor may apply a topical anesthetic to your skin to reduce any discomfort during treatment. Don't apply topical anesthetic on your own, unless your doctor provides specific instructions for safe application.
During the procedure
The doctor will press a hand-held laser instrument to your skin. Depending on the type of laser, a cooling device on the tip of the instrument or a cool gel may be used to protect your skin.
When the doctor activates the laser, the laser beam will pass through your skin to the tiny sacs (follicles) where hair growth originates. The intense heat from the laser beam damages the hair follicles, which inhibits hair growth. You may feel a stinging sensation.
Treating a small area, such as the upper lip, may take only a few minutes. Treating a larger area, such as the back, may take several hours.
After the procedure You may notice redness and swelling for the first few hours after laser hair removal. A stinging sensation may linger for a day or two. The affected skin may also become slightly crusty.
While you're healing from laser hair removal, wash your skin gently with soap and water. Avoid picking at or vigorously scrubbing the affected skin. It's also important to avoid sun exposure — both natural sunlight and tanning beds — for at least one week after treatment. After this period, use sunscreen whenever you're in the sun.
