Laser hair removal is a popular method of getting rid of unwanted body hair, but it can be dangerous if not done correctly. Burns, permanent changes in skin color, and scarring can occur. Rarely, laser hair removal can cause blisters, crusting, scarring, or other changes in skin texture. Other rare side effects include greying of treated hair or excessive hair growth around treated areas, especially on darker skin. It's important to note that laser hair removal does not guarantee permanent hair removal.
Some hair may be resistant to laser treatment or regrow after treatment, although the new hair may be finer and lighter in color. That said, laser hair removal can come with its own risks and side effects. These can range from minimal redness and swelling to more rare complications, such as darkening or lightening of the skin, herpes simplex, blistering, and scarring. Before deciding to undergo laser hair removal, it's important to consider all the pros and cons of the procedure. To make the experience more comfortable, an anesthetic cream and a cooling gel are often used to help alleviate any discomfort or pain during the treatment process.
A rare risk is that laser hair removal will end up having the opposite effect and cause more hair growth. Laser hair removal doesn't require much preparation, but there are a few things you should do before treatment. Laser hair removal can be performed on most parts of the body and usually requires several treatments over a period of time to achieve significant hair reduction. Repeated treatments are often necessary because hair growth and loss occur naturally in one cycle, and laser treatment works best on hair follicles in the regrowth stage. After laser hair removal and between scheduled treatments, avoid sunlight and don't use a tanning bed for six weeks or as directed by your doctor. If you have a skin reaction right after laser hair removal, your doctor may apply a steroid cream to the affected area. The Food and Drug Administration considers these laser hair removal devices for home use to be cosmetic, not medical, which means that they do not undergo the same level of scrutiny as other medical devices.
If you're interested in laser hair removal, choose a doctor who is certified in a specialty such as dermatology or cosmetic surgery and who has experience in laser hair removal for your skin type. If you are looking for a more permanent solution to remove unwanted body hair, laser hair removal may be an option for you. However, some people may experience moderate side effects from laser hair removal such as swelling, redness, skin irritation, and changes in skin pigmentation. Laser hair removal is not recommended for eyelids, eyebrows or surrounding areas due to the possibility of serious eye damage. Several laser hair removal treatments are needed for initial hair reduction and maintenance treatments may also be needed.
