Laser hair removal is a medical procedure that uses a focused beam of light to remove unwanted hair.
During laser hair removal, the light from the laser is absorbed by the pigment (melanin) in the hair. Light energy is converted into heat, which damages the hair-producing tubular follicles (hair follicles) in the skin. This damage can inhibit or delay future hair growth.
While laser hair removal is effective at slowing hair growth for a long time, it usually does not result in permanent hair removal. Initial hair removal will require multiple laser hair removal treatments, and possibly maintenance treatments. Laser hair removal is most effective for people with light skin and dark hair, but it can be used successfully on all skin types.
Laser hair removal is used to reduce unwanted hair. Common treatment sites include the legs, armpits, upper lip, chin, and bikini line. However, unwanted hair can be treated in almost any area except the eyelids or the surrounding area. Skin with tattoos should also not be treated.
Hair color and skin type can affect the success of laser hair removal. The rationale is that the pigment of the hair, not the pigment of the skin, should absorb light. The laser should only damage the hair follicles while avoiding damage to the skin. Therefore, the contrast between hair and skin color (dark hair and light skin) will give the best results.
The risk of skin damage is greater when there is little contrast between hair and skin color, but advances in laser technology have made laser hair removal an option for those with darker skin. Laser hair removal is less effective on hair colors that don’t absorb light well: grays, reds, blondes, and whites. However, laser treatment options for light-colored hair continue to be developed.
risk
The risk of side effects varies by skin type, hair color, treatment plan, and compliance with pre- and post-treatment care. The most common side effects of laser hair removal include:
Skin allergies.
Temporary discomfort, redness, and swelling may occur after laser hair removal. Any signs and symptoms usually disappear within a few hours.
Pigment changes.
Laser hair removal may darken or lighten the affected skin. These changes may be temporary or permanent. Skin lightening mainly affects those who do not avoid sun exposure before and after treatment as well as those with darker skin.
In rare cases, laser hair removal can cause skin blistering, crusting, scarring, or other changes in skin texture. Other rare side effects include graying of the treated hair or excessive hair growth around the treated area, especially on darker skin.
Laser hair removal on the eyelids, eyebrows or surrounding area is not recommended as serious eye damage may occur.
Before laser hair removal, schedule a consultation with your doctor to determine if this is a treatment option for you. Your doctor may do the following:
Review your medical history, including medication, skin or scarring, and past hair removal procedures
Discuss risks, benefits and expectations, including what laser hair removal can and cannot do for you
Photographs are taken for before and after evaluation and long-term review.
The doctor will also provide specific instructions for preparing for laser hair removal. These may include:
keep away from the sun
Follow your doctor’s advice to avoid sun exposure before and after treatment. Wear broad-spectrum SPF30 sunscreen whenever you go out.
Skin Whitening Avoid any sunless skin creams that darken your skin. Your doctor may also prescribe a skin bleaching cream if you have recently had tan or darker skin.
Avoid other hair removal methods. Plucking, waxing, and electrolysis can interfere with hair follicles and should be avoided at least 4 weeks before treatment.
Avoid blood thinning medications. Ask your doctor which medications, such as aspirin or anti-inflammatory drugs, should be avoided before surgery.
Shaving treatment area.
Trimming and shaving is recommended the day before laser treatment. It removes hair above the skin that can cause superficial skin damage from burnt hair, but it leaves the hair shaft below the surface intact.
Laser hair removal usually requires two to six treatments. The interval between treatments will vary depending on the location. In areas with rapid hair growth, such as the upper lip, the treatment may be repeated in 4 to 8 weeks. In areas with slow hair growth, such as the back, treatment may be given every 12 to 16 weeks.
For each treatment, you will wear special goggles to protect your eyes from the laser beam. If necessary, the assistant may shave the site again. Your doctor may apply a local anesthetic to your skin to reduce any discomfort during treatment.
in the process
Your doctor will press a handheld laser against your skin. Depending on the type of laser, a cooling device or cooling gel at the tip of the instrument can be used to protect your skin and reduce the risk of side effects.
When the doctor activates the laser, the laser beam will travel through your skin to the hair follicles. The intense heat from the laser beam damages the hair follicles, inhibiting hair growth. You may experience discomfort, such as warm needle pricks, and you may experience cold sensations from cooling devices or gels.
Treating a small area, such as the upper lip, may only take a few minutes. Treating larger areas, such as the back, can take over an hour.
after the procedure
In the first few hours after laser hair removal, you may notice redness and swelling.
To reduce any discomfort, apply ice cubes to the treated area. If you experience a skin reaction immediately after laser hair removal, your doctor may apply a steroid cream to the affected area.
After laser hair removal and between scheduled treatments, avoid sun exposure, do not use tanning beds or as directed by your doctor for six weeks. Use a broad-spectrum SPF30 sunscreen every day.
result
The hair doesn’t fall out immediately, but you do in a few days to a few weeks. This may look like constant hair growth. Repeated treatments are often necessary because hair growth and shedding naturally occur in one cycle, and laser treatment works best on follicles in the new growth stage.
Results vary widely and are difficult to predict. Most people’s hair removal experience lasts for months, and may last for years. But laser hair removal does not guarantee permanent hair removal. When hair grows back, it usually becomes thinner and lighter in color. You may need maintenance laser treatment for long-term hair loss.
How about a home laser?
Laser hair removal can be used at home. These devices may cause moderate hair loss. But there are no large studies comparing the effectiveness of these devices to laser hair removal performed in a doctor’s office.
Additionally, the FDA considers these at-home laser hair removal devices to be cosmetic, not medical, meaning they do not receive the same level of scrutiny as other medical devices. Currently, there are no large, long-term studies on the safety and efficacy of home machines.
If you choose to use a home laser hair removal device, follow the instructions that came with the device to help reduce your risk of injury, especially to your eyes.
Post time: Sep-23-2022