Experts agree that laser hair removal is a highly effective method of hair removal. It’s quick, it’s painless, and it’s a solid investment into your body. However, there are concerns about damage to the skin and the overall cost of this procedure. So, does the negative outweigh the positive?
Read through the article to learn more about the Laser hair removal pros and cons.
What is Laser Hair Removal?
Laser hair removal is a technique used for permanent hair reduction. The process involves a concentrated laser beam pointed at targeted hair in order to remove it. The way that this process works is that the laser light is absorbed by the pigment in the hair. This damages the hair follicle, reducing the chance of future hair growth.
While laser treatments can reduce the growth of unwanted hair and they are long-lasting, they do not permanently stop growth. The best results from laser hair removal treatment happen with dark hair on light skin but it can accommodate all skin types.
What are the Laser Hair Removal Pros and Cons?
When done by a certified skin specialist, laser hair removal is usually a highly beneficial process. Here are some of the common laser hair removal pros and cons:
Cons of Laser Hair Removal
As with any cosmetic procedure, there are some cons to taking laser hair removal services:
- The process can take a lot of time: while some may consider this an investment, a major drawback to laser services is that real results only come in after a few weeks and multiple sessions. On the other hand, other hair removal methods are pretty quick.
- Cost: because you pay per session, the cost can add up, and generally, laser hair removal is a more expensive hair removal method.
- Damage to skin: while skin irritation may be normal after a session, in some cases, there can be damage to the skin. If the removal is not carried out by a specialist or doctor, side effects like skin discoloration, skin burn, and scarring are possible. This is why you should always make sure to see a qualified skin specialist.
- Pigmentation: One of the side effects of laser treatments is the possibility of seeing skin discoloration in the future. If you are seeing dark spots or light spots after a laser hair removal session, you should see a doctor or specialist.
- It’s not permanent: laser sessions can reduce hair growth for a period of time but they are unlikely to be a permanent form of hair removal. However, instead of permanent hair removal, laser treatment will help reduce the hair over time.
Pros of Laser Hair Removal
In general, laser procedures have a lot of benefits but here are some of our top picks:
- It is the most effective: one of the most notable benefits of laser hair techniques is that it is the most effective at removing hair when considered for longer periods of time.
- Targeted: another great reason why this is a beneficial procedure is that the hair removal is targeted and precise. The high-powered laser is amazing and selects coarse hair over the skin, leaving behind smooth skin.
- Less painful: the biggest reason why a lot of people opt for a laser is that it offers painless treatment. In fact, most people describe the feeling as a rubber band snapping against their skin. Compared to other methods like traditional waxing, that’s a huge difference.
- Works with a range of skin types: there is an idea that only people with fair skin can use this kind of treatment. However, diode laser systems are effective against the hair on all skin colors. So if you have dark skin or sensitive skin, your skin tone will not affect access to this treatment.
- It’s an investment: yes, laser hair treatment sessions are costly, but in the long run, you will get the bang for your buck. While waxing may be the cheapest hair removal option, you’ll need to get it regularly, whereas laser treatments can last you a solid period of time.
Can Laser Hair Removal Cause Long-Term Effects?
According to studies, as long as you are getting your treatments from a specialist, it is unlikely that you will face any negative long-term results. There may be short-term or mild side effects, but nothing too severe. In order to reduce the risks even further, there are some things you can do:
- Always check the certifications of your specialists before booking an appointment.
- Ask your specialist about the laser hair removal devices used and the possible effects the laser can have on your skin if you have deep skin tones.
- Avoid using this treatment near the eyes or if you are pregnant.
However, right after a treatment, it is possible for you to see some skin irritation or redness. You can ask your doctor to give you a numbing cream after hair removal if you feel pain, or if the skin is irritated. Similarly, natural substances like aloe vera can help soothe the skin as well.
Can Laser Make Hair Growth Worse?
In some cases, a rare side effect of laser hair treatment is that there is excessive growth of hair. This process is not common at all and has been reported in the facial hair growth of some people after treatment. This once again solidifies that it is vital that you ask your specialist for their certifications before the laser sessions begin.
What Happens if You Don’t Shave Before Laser Hair Removal?
Before you go in for your laser session, you will be asked by your doctor to shave the area beforehand. This is a necessary step if you are looking to get the session done. If you did shave but you missed some hair or areas, most clinics will give you an option to let the technician shave it. However, shaving the entire area just before the hair removal is not recommended.
What Should I Avoid After Laser Hair Removal?
After you get laser treatment done, your specialist will ask you to take some precautions to protect the skin. This is because, at this stage, the sensitive skin is prone to irritation and discoloration. They will probably ask you to do the following:
- Avoid the sun and UV rays in any form. If you are going out, wear sunscreen with high SPF.
- Do not tan your skin or use tanning lotion or lights.
- Avoid fragranced lotions, perfumes, soaps, and any other kind of irritating agent.
- Avoid wearing tight clothing over the skin area.
Frequently Asked Questions
After reading through this article, you must have questions about laser hair removal. Here are some of the most common questions people ask about laser hair removal work:
Does laser hair removal darken skin?
In some cases, laser hair removal can darken or lighten the skin. This discoloration of the skin can happen because of continued exposure to UV rays. In some cases, people with darker skin may also face issues with discoloration. To prevent this, always ask the technician questions about how well the laser will work for your skin tone.
Is laser hair removal permanent?
In some cases, laser hair removal can be permanent. The answer depends on how the laser beam affected the hair follicles. If the follicle is completely destroyed, the hair cannot grow back again. However, in some cases, the hair is just damaged, which may heal and grow back. This is why most laser treatment plans include maintenance sessions at different cycles of hair growth.
Is it worth getting laser hair removal?
The answer to this depends on a number of factors. Studies show that lasers are highly effective at removing hair and slowing down growth. However, there are factors such as skin color, hair color, and much more that impact results. The only way you can answer this question is by talking to the experts and deciding what is the most important thing to you.
Are 3 sessions enough for laser hair removal?
There is no set amount of time needed for laser hair removal. For some people, only two or three sessions are needed. For other people, as many as six or seven sessions may be needed. The best way to answer this query is to discuss this with a licensed professional. They can give you insight depending on your skin type, hair type, and the amount of hair you need to be removed.
Conclusion
When it comes to laser hair removal pros and cons, there are clear indicators that there are benefits to this procedure. It is highly effective, quick, and has relatively low pain. However, whether you should do it or not is only a choice you can make after you discuss things with a certified skin specialist. They can guide you about the kinds of laser treatments available and what works best for your skin tone, type, and hair color and type.
With all of this information put together, you can make an informed decision about whether or not you want to go through the process of laser skin treatments.
