Laser Hair Removal: What are the Benefits? (2024)

FAQs

Laser Hair Removal: What are the Benefits? ›

Because the treatment destroys the hair follicle, hair is unable to grow back so you don't need to spend time shaving and waxing over and over again. If the hair does grow back, it usually comes in much thinner and lighter than it was previously.

Laser hair removal is used to reduce unwanted hair. Common treatment locations include legs, armpits, upper lip, chin and the bikini line. However, it's possible to treat unwanted hair in nearly any area, except the eyelid or surrounding area. Skin with tattoos should not be treated either.

It's not permanent

You'll need regular sessions to keep hair from regrowing. How often sessions are needed varies for each person. For example, you may need a session to remove facial hair every 4 weeks, and for body hair every 6 to 8 weeks. There's no guarantee laser hair removal will get rid of all the hair.

Other potential side effects include swelling, redness, and scarring. Permanent scarring or changes in skin color are rare. Blisters are rare but are more likely in people with darker complexions. Another rare side effect is the treated hair turning gray or more hair growing around the treated areas.

People with keloid scars or healing problems like hypertrophic scars should not have laser hair removal. Likewise people with vitiligo, a condition which causes de-pigmentation of sections of the skin. People who have severe histamine reactions like urticaria are also unsuitable.

Laser therapy can result in misdirected or excessively intense burns, bleeding from the choriocapillaris, damage to macular and other ocular structures, and breaks in Bruch's membrane.

Fortunately, you can start laser treatments at any age as long as your parents agree. However, most dermatologists recommend that female patients wait until they start their menstrual cycle before beginning laser treatment. For some, this may start at age 10 or even age 16.

Regret usually stems from choosing the wrong provider. While laser hair removal itself is rarely regrettable, what can lead to regret is choosing the wrong provider. A cheap, inexperienced clinic may use outdated equipment or incorrect techniques, leading to less effective treatment or even unwanted side-effects.

If treatment is stopped before all of the hair follicles have been destroyed, some may continue to grow. It is important to complete the recommended treatment plan to achieve the best results. Sometimes, the patient sees hairs are thicker and darker after the treatment when they have original light and fair hair.

Is laser better than shaving? ›

In terms of effectiveness, laser hair removal does what waxing and shaving cannot – it penetrates the skin to destroy the follicle, in turn inhibiting hair growth. It provides a far more 'permanent' hair removal solution than waxing or shaving.

Keep in mind that while laser hair removal works on all different skin tones, it is most effective on people with light skin and dark hair.

While laser hair removal is not technically permanent, it can provide long-lasting results. However, some hair may grow back over time due to factors like hormonal changes or genetics. Maintenance treatments can help keep hair growth under control and prolong the results of laser hair removal.

Yes, you can shave in between each laser hair removal treatment. During your course of treatment, you can shave any unwanted hair that may regrow. After your first laser hair removal session you will notice that you won't need to shave as much as before.

While most patients enjoy the benefits of laser treatments for many years, this procedure is technically semi-permanent. This is because some hair follicles can remain unaffected by the laser. That said, patients generally find that most hair follicles no longer grow back.

This means, for most, laser hair removal is safe. Long-term effects of laser therapy, including the possibility of an increased risk of cancer, have not been studied. However, laser therapy is also safely used for: Other cosmetic purposes such as tattoo removal.

Just like waxing, laser is also very safe to remove the unwanted pubic hair. Because the laser doesn't penetrate deeper than your hair follicles it has no risks when it comes to the private parts. The treatment is usually performed at every 5-6 weekly intervals, to capture your hair at their specific growing stage.

Laser hair removal is better than waxing or shaving if you're looking for near-permanent results without years of ongoing treatments. Also, this method is definitely the right call if you have sensitive skin or are prone to ingrown hairs.

No laser hair removal will not cause you ingrown hairs, quite the opposite. Ingrowing hair is most common when you shave, wax or use other methods to remove hair. Removing hair using the wrong technique may result in the new hair growing in its place sideways or curl back down.