Is Laser Hair Removal Safe

Removing unwanted hair is no longer a thing that women indulge in. Rather, more and more men are attracted to the idea of having a clean, hairless body. The need for getting rid of unwanted hair has led to the introduction of various body hair removal methods which includes waxing, shaving, tweezing, threading, etc. Though all these methods are effective in removing unwanted hair, they are not permanent i.e. one has to do this regularly to have a hairless body. This is the reason why most people are attracted towards laser hair body removal method which helps in doing away with the unwanted hair permanently. However, not everyone is sure about the safety of this method. Before we look for answers, let us understand how laser can be used to remove unwanted hair.

Laser Hair Removal Method

Laser hair removal is done with an equipment that emits laser beams which are also known as invisible lights. These lights penetrate the skin and then enter the hair follicle. By doing so, the laser light succeeds in damaging the hair follicle, thus making it impossible to grow hair again. Though the laser light is transformed into heat when it reaches the follicle, it does not cause any harm to the skin. Moreover, the biggest advantage of laser hair removal is that it is customized according to the type of skin that has to be treated. One question that many people ask is whether laser treatment is suitable for all types of skin. The answer to this question is quite vague. This is because the laser hair removal is effective in removing dark hair on fair skin, however, the same thing cannot be said for people who have dark skin, though the laser used for this is different from the former. On the other hand, till now, there is no laser found to remove body hair that is light or white.

An important thing that people have to know about laser hair removal is, the time frame. Unlike other temporary hair removal methods, laser method cannot be completed in just one session. Rather, several sessions would be required to achieve the best results. However, the time required to complete each session would depend on the area that is being treated. Small areas like chin, lip, etc. may take only a few minutes, when areas like hands, legs, underarms, etc. will take half an hour to one hour. The cost of laser hair removal is quite high and would vary according to the area that is treated. Also, it is not covered by insurance and hence, it is important to discuss the cost with the doctor before beginning the treatment procedure.

Is Laser Method Safe?

Yes, the laser method is quite safe, if done by taking proper precautions. Most of the cases of infection and side effects are caused when people do laser hair removal at home without consulting a doctor. One must understand that these methods are not safe and this hair removal method should be done only by an experienced and professional doctor to avoid any kind of complications.

Another factor that makes people avoid the laser hair removal method is the fact that it is painful. One is likely to feel a slight stinging or burning sensation during the laser procedure. However, there have been people who have reported to have felt serious pain while getting laser hair removal. The pain may also persist for a day or two after the treatment and the skin which is treated would appear pink or may look sunburned. Nevertheless, people who are afraid of pain, can opt for the application of topical anesthetic before the laser treatment. However, complications can arise if the numbing cream is applied either in excess or less than needed.

One of the reasons that can cause complications during the treatment process is improper aftercare. The total time required for the laser treatment to complete is six weeks and in between every session, it is the responsibility of the individual to take appropriate care of the skin to protect it from infection and inflammation. The doctor will recommend a specific aftercare regime according to your skin type and you have to follow it completely to get the best result from laser treatment. It is also important to protect one's skin from sun exposure during this period. There are some more side effects of laser hair removal which include lighter or darker skin, tanned skin, burns, swelling, etc. However, the side effects like laser hair removal swelling, sunburn, tan, etc. are very rare and can be caused only if the equipment is not used correctly.

Laser Hair Removal During Pregnancy

Many women during pregnancy find it difficult to use other methods of hair removal and hence, want to know whether laser is safe during pregnancy. The answer here is not clear because there are no adequate studies done to see whether laser has any effect on the fetus. Due to this, most doctors do not recommend pregnant women to get laser hair removal done. Though laser hair removal has no known side effects on children, not many doctors do it simply because as children are in their growing stages, it is likely for the hair to grow back even after doing laser treatment.

Looking at all these findings, I can say that, laser hair removal is safe provided one takes appropriate precautions. So, if you are keen on getting a laser done for removing unwanted hair, the first step you have to do is to find a doctor who has an experience of doing it correctly.