Laser Hair Removal Safety: All You Need To Know
The top question that many people have about laser hair removal isn’t whether it’s effective, because that’s been widely established, it’s whether it’s safe. In the popular imagination, lasers are used to shoot the bad guys. They slice open metal doors and blow things up, so how can they be safe to use on your body?
Is Laser Hair Removal Safe?
The short answer is yes – laser hair removal is safe.
Lasers are far more nuanced than the movies give them credit for. To get to the root of it, a laser is only an intense beam of light that’s just one color. You’ll find lasers all around you, they make everyday life possible. Every time you go to the grocery store, a laser scans your groceries. Turn on your DVD player, and what’s making it work is a laser. Your cat’s favorite toy works with laser light. Lasers surround us, even if we don’t realize it.
Since laser hair removal was approved by the FDA in 1996, there has been a great deal of research on laser hair removal safety. There is no evidence to show negative long term side effects of laser hair removal. In more than twenty years of widespread treatment and multiple studies on laser hair removal safety, there have been incredibly low complication rates for this permanent hair removal technique.
What makes laser hair removal work?
What makes each laser work differently is the calibration, the hardware around it that changes the spectrum of the light. This makes lasers incredibly versatile, able to do things that sound almost fantastical without damaging the surrounding skin. Each kind of laser light works in its own unique way to combat specific issues.
In the case of hair removal, the newest and most effective method comes from the Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) Quantum System. IPL hair removal can target specific areas with its spectrum of light, allowing physicians to tailor treatment for each individual with fewer side effects. IPL uses hundreds or even thousands of colors at the same time, with each one being able to reach am individual type of skin component, blood vessel, or hair without harming the surrounding tissue.
Here are some common questions and answers about the safety of laser hair removal.
Is Laser Hair Removal Safe for Face?
Our faces are one of the first places that we tend to think about in terms of hair removal, but the face is also home to sensitive tissue associated with the eyes, ears, mouth, etc. Laser hair removal has been approved by the FDA for use on the face.
The key is to work with a licensed professional when having this procedure done. The special eyewear required prevents damage to the eyes, something your doctor can tell you more about.
Is Laser Hair Removal Safe for Underarms?
Another sensitive area is under the arms. These areas are close to many of the vital internal organs that can be a top concern for people who are safety conscious. Laser hair removal is safe for treating unwanted underarm hair.
Is Laser Hair Removal Safe for Women?
Women have very specific concerns about their bodies, particularly when it comes to questions surrounding pregnancy and fertility. There is no evidence to suggest negative laser hair removal side effects infertility. Is laser hair removal safe for brazilian? These areas of course are close to the areas where fertility would be a question. Doctors haven’t found any associations between getting laser hair removal in brazilian areas and long term negative side effects of any kind.
Women also wonder – is laser hair removal safe during pregnancy? The answer is that there isn’t enough information to give a clear answer. However there is no indication that it isn’t safe and the FDA does not restrict the practice during pregnancy. Because of that lack of knowledge, most doctors recommend that women hold off until after pregnancy for laser hair removal.
Is Laser Hair Removal Safe for Men?
Men have their own set of concerns surrounding laser hair removal safety. The question of laser hair removal side effects infertility is a major one for men. The good news is that there is no evidence to show any danger for men in terms of fertility after the use of laser hair removal. This treatment is considered safe for men on all areas of the body for the removal of unwanted hair. It has been approved by the FDA for men.
Laser Hair Removal Safety is Tied to Quality Treatment
Laser hair removal is more advanced and safer than ever before with IPL. The science points us again and again to the low rate of complications with this cosmetic procedure. Both women and men can be confident that laser hair removal can give them a safe way to permanently remove unwanted hair.
The most important aspect of laser hair removal safety involves seeking a certified professional with high quality, well maintained equipment in order to be safe. The procedure MUST be supervised by a physician. Individuals should never seek laser hair removal from anywhere other than a reputable medical provider as this is a medical procedure.
When under the care of a physician, laser hair removal has a low incidence of side effects, and when they do occur they tend to be minor.
Contact us today for a laser hair removal consultation!
References
A review of the adverse effects of laser hair removal
