Laser hair removal is a popular and effective way to reduce unwanted body hair. It is a non-invasive procedure that uses a laser to target and destroy hair follicles, resulting in permanent hair reduction. But are there any long-term effects of laser hair removal? The good news is that there does not appear to be any long-term health risks associated with the procedure. However, some people may experience minor side effects after the treatment.
It is important to ask your dermatologist to analyze how a small piece of skin reacts to the laser before applying it to a larger area. 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. The long-term effects of laser therapy, including the possibility of an increased risk of cancer, have not been studied yet. Some researchers have observed changes in atypical moles (dysplastic nevi) after laser hair removal.
Therefore, they recommend that care be taken when using cosmetic laser therapy in people with a personal or family history of skin cancer or atypical moles, until further research determines whether these changes may be malignant or not. Laser hair removal can be dangerous in untrained hands. Burns, permanent changes in skin color, and scarring can occur. You can greatly reduce the risk of suffering possible side effects if you carry out the treatment with a doctor who is very experienced in the use of lasers and with a deep knowledge of the skin. The American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) recommends choosing a board-certified dermatologist to perform laser treatments. 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.
When the doctor activates the laser, the laser beam will pass through the skin to the hair follicles. Laser hair removal on the eyelids, eyebrows, or surrounding areas is not recommended due to the possibility of serious eye damage.
Laser hair removal
is often touted as a permanent solution to body hair removal, which is a bit of a lie. While it effectively slows down hair growth for extended periods of time, it usually doesn't result in permanent hair removal. Laser hair removal is most effective for people with fair skin and dark hair, but it can be used successfully on all skin types.Before laser hair removal, schedule a consultation with your doctor to determine if this is an appropriate treatment option for you. As for retouching, it really depends on your skin, hair color, hair thickness, and body area. Some hair may be resistant to laser treatment or regrow after treatment, although the new hair may be finer and lighter in color. Be wary of spas, beauty salons, or other centers that allow laser hair removal by non-medical personnel. The good news is that thanks to advances in laser technology and techniques, treatments can work well for people who have light hair or darker skin. If you have a skin reaction right after laser hair removal, your doctor may apply a steroid cream to the affected area. During laser hair removal, the laser emits light that is absorbed by the pigment (melanin) in the hair.
The dermatologist may want to assess your hormonal status before laser sessions as any imbalance can stimulate hair growth. Other possible side effects are rare when laser hair removal is performed by a dermatologist or under their direct supervision.
