Some Laser Hair Removal Side Effects May Cause Slight Inconvenience

There are few known laser hair removal side effects. These side effects are generally superficial and temporary. That’s because laser technology in medical practice has been proven safe.

In fact, the Food and Drug Authority (FDA) has approved the use of lasers for hair removal. Laser hair removal safety is also enhanced by trained medical professionals and expert laser technicians.

But like any medical procedure, it is just normal for laser hair removal to have side effects or risks. Here are the few laser hair removal side effects you may encounter during treatment.

Effect during Laser Hair Removal Treatment: Pain

The most noticeable side effect during treatment is pain. There is really no painless procedure for laser hair removal. Even the IPL method, which is touted as painless, could cause a slight pricking sensation during treatment.

This may not be painful but it will case a little discomfort. The pricking sensation is due to the effect of laser on the skin.

However, most laser hair removal methods are really painful. This is due to the heat generated by lasers in burning the hair follicles.

Some dermatologists try to lessen the pain of their patients by introducing anesthetics. This will numb the burning sensation.

Pain is generally felt by patients with darker skin. That’s because some of the laser beam is being absorbed by the skin pigment which results to painful burning sensation.

Common Laser Hair Removal Side Effects

Common side effects of laser hair removal after treatment include swelling of treated area. For some patients, laser hair removal results to redness, skin discoloration, and itchiness of affected areas.

This side effect is more severe in patients with skin types 5 and 6. This means that if you have brown or dark brown skin color, then you could be prone to these side effects.

Swelling and skin discoloration may disappear quickly. For best cases, the side effects will last only for hours. Normally, swelling will subside in two to three days.

Rare Side Effects: Worse Cases

Worse laser hair removal side effects include blistering, permanent scarring, and striping. These side effects may be due to improper application of laser.

Blistering usually occurs to dark skinned patients. This is due to their skin sensitivity to laser heat. This could be avoided by proper adjustment of light wavelengths and duration of treatment.

Scarring is a result of severe blistering. After the blisters have healed, the patient may incur permanent scars.

Striping is the appearance of white stripes along the treated area. This is like discoloration but can be very unsightly due to the zebra-like appearance of the stripes. If striping occurs, it would be best to consult a dermatologist.

Laser hair removal side effects are natural treatment occurrences. These are temporary disorders and do not pose significant health hazard.

Determining the Best Hair Treatment with Laser Hair Removal Comparison

Want a no-nonsense laser hair removal comparison? Then it would be best to understand the five laser hair treatment being used today.

Modern dermatological medicine is currently using advanced laser hair treatments. These laser treatments could certainly rid your body of unwanted hairs.

But before you go to your dermatologist, it is better to understand what IPL or YAG means. In this way, you’ll have a fair idea of what option is open and suitable for your skin type. Here is a summary of laser hair removal comparison which could help you decide which treatment is best.

The IPL Laser Treatment or Pulsed Light

Probably one of the best hair removal treatments ever invented. It uses 590 nm to 1200 nm of light (wavelengths) to penetrate deep hair follicles.

Touted as the fastest method of laser hair treatment, IPL also promises long term hair removal. In some patients, re-growth did not happen for 7 years or longer.

IPL or Pulsed Light treatment is ideal for all types of skin. Whether you have very white or very dark skin, this laser removal technology will not cause skin damage or side effects.

IPL is also painless. Anesthetic is not needed for those who will undergo treatment using this method.

Diode Laser Hair Removal

The Diode laser treatment uses 800 nm to 810 nm of light. Patients have reported slight pain with this method.

Although hair removal could be fast, there is little indication that it can result to long term body hair loss. However, it will not cause significant epidermal side effects.

Diode laser treatment is ideal for skin types 1, 2, and 3. For those with skin type 4 and 5, this method should be used with caution.

Yag Laser Hair Removal

The Yag laser treatment is best for those with dark skin colors. However, this laser treatment can be used on all skin types without noticeable skin discoloration.

It uses 1064 nm which also penetrates deeply into the hair follicles. It is a very painful procedure but promises longer hair removal solution.

Alexandrite Laser Hair Removal

Alexandrite laser hair treatment uses 755 nm of light. It could cause moderate pain during treatment but very ideal for white skin.

Some dermatologists do not advice this treatment for those with skin types 4, 5, and 6. There is insufficient evidence that the Alexandrite method could result to long term hair removal.

Ruby Laser Hair Removal

This treatment is somewhat similar to Alexandrite because it uses short wavelengths of light at 694 nm. This could also cause moderate pain during the procedure.

The Ruby laser method is best for those with very white skin. It is inadvisable for patients with dark skin colors especially with skin types 5 and 6.

Laser hair removal is convenient and fast procedure. It would be best however to determine which method is suitable for your skin type and specific medical condition.

There are many facts that we can come up with in order to compare electrolysis vs laser hair removal. True, they both belong in the family of hair removal. But the laser hair removal results of these two different procedures are quite different.

The effects of laser hair removal ought to be permanent hair reduction, but this is dependent on a number of factors. It depends on the treatment area, the quality and density of the hair, among others. It will also depend on a number of treatments in order to get the job done.

Electrolysis, on the other hand, aims for total hair elimination. It is a procedure that will make sure of one hundred percent zero hair regrowth. This is perhaps the biggest and most defining difference of electrolysis versus laser hair removal.

How The Procedure is Done

The laser hair removal system uses a light wavelength from a hand piece in order to target the dark pigments in the skin. The laser light emits thermal damage on the hair follicle. This treatment has an effect on hair growth meaning the regrowth will be a lot lighter and less obvious.

Hair removal by electrolysis, however, uses a hair thin probe made of metal. It is inserted into the hair follicle and zaps it out using a jolt of electricity. Because of this reason, electrolysis is more meticulous than laser hair removal and causes some damage to the area where the hairs are.

Electrolysis Vs Laser Hair Removal - Advantages and Disadvantages

The effects of laser hair removal are advantageous. Many consumers report long lasting results and say it is very safe. It is also a great method for large areas like your back or legs. In addition, regrowth is much lighter than it originally was.

The electrolysis hair removal system also has its own advantages. Among all the methods, this has the best track record of results. It may be meticulous, but you are assured of total hair elimination in whatever area of your body you want to target.

Both methods have their own set of disadvantages. Laser hair removal was reported to not be so effective on hair that is unpigmented (such as grey, red or blonde) and if treatment is not careful it may lead to burns or lesions. It may also require eye protection on the part of the patient to avoid any accidental damage to the retina.

The electrolysis hair removal system has disadvantages such as it is very expensive and hard to conduct. Since you target each follicle with the probe, it will take you a long time before you finish an area. It can also be a bit painful, like rubber bands snapping on your skin.

Is laser hair removal permanent? This question has been repeatedly asked by patients who want long term solution for their body hair problem.

Here is a quick look of some laser hair removal systems and how to achieve permanent body hair loss.

Laser Hair Removal Procedures

Currently, there are five major laser treatments for hair removal. These laser treatments are indicated for different skin types.

Most dermatologists recommend the IPL treatment. This method offers painless laser hair removal, permanent body hair loss, and ideal for all skin types.

Some laser hair removal systems, like YAG and Diode procedures, promises permanent hair loss but they are somewhat painful. But these methods have fewer dermatological side effects compared to other systems.

Long Term Laser Hair Removal Treatment

The key to permanent body hair loss is long term treatment. Because your hair grows in a cycle, new growth will naturally arise after a few weeks or months.

If you only undergo a single session of laser hair removal, permanent body hair loss cannot be achieved. So it would be best to ask your dermatologist what is the ideal cycle for your permanent hair removal treatment.

Monthly Sessions for Hair Loss Procedures

Currently, most dermatologists suggest monthly laser treatment for hair removal. For best results, seven sessions are enough to have permanent hair loss.

This means seven months of continued laser hair removal. Permanent body hair loss would be evident by then.

You must expect though that some growth may occur during treatment. It is perfectly okay to shave them off. Besides, after your body hair loss therapy, you can throw that shaver away.

Permanent Hair Removal Treatment Maintenance

In every therapy, maintenance is important to avoid relapse. This is also true with permanent hair loss treatment.

So, after your successful seven-month laser hair removal, permanent hair loss maintenance procedures must be undertaken.

Most dermatologists suggest annual or semi-annual laser hair removal procedures. The regular laser hair loss maintenance will ensure zero growth.

This laser hair loss maintenance is especially important for blonds and white-haired patients. That’s because most cases of re-growth occurred to patients with this kinds of hairs. This is also true for patients with skin types 1 or 2.

Complete laser hair removal, permanent body hair loss, and absence of re-growth can be achieved with monthly treatments. You can also maintain zero body hair with annual laser hair loss treatment maintenance.

Many patients are asking: is laser hair removal safe? Well, it is a new technology and majority of published reports on this method conclude that it is a perfectly safe procedure.

It is important to note that laser technology has been used in medicine successfully. With professional supervision, laser has been effective in treating other diseases or disorders.

Although its use for permanent body hair removal is very recent, there are no occurrences of deaths or severe skin damages that have been reported.

Professional Laser Hair Removal

The practice of laser hair removal, safe applications of it and regular treatment are responsibilities of licensed dermatologist and laser expert.

Specifically, dermatologists will diagnose the patient. They will prescribe the proper method as well as the duration of the treatment.

On the other hand, the laser hair removal technician is responsible for operating the machine. They are responsible for configuring the right amount of light wavelengths to be applied.

These are highly trained professional experts and they both have licenses to do the job. That is why advanced laser hair removal, safe hair removal procedures, and other hair treatments have enjoyed an almost zero rate fatal incidents or injuries.

Laser Hair Removal Risks

As with any other medical procedure, laser hair removal is not totally risk free. In fact there are documented cases of side effects of laser hair removal.

Laser hair removal is a minimal-invasive medical procedure. As such, the associated risks are more epidermal and superficial.

In some cases of permanent body hair removal procedures, swelling will occur. Other minor side effects include redness, itchiness, and discoloration of the skin.

These laser hair removal side effects are temporary and will heal in a few hours after treatment. For worse cases, the swelling will take days to subside.

Laser hair removal risks are more pronounced for dark skinned patients. The laser maybe absorbed by the melatonin pigment of the skin and this may result to skin damage.

However, all these risks and side effects of laser hair removal are temporary. They will heal easily and the patient can return to normal activities after treatment.

Laser Hair Removal: Safe and Convenient Solution

In general, the benefit of professional laser hair removal treatment far outweighs the known risks of the procedure. This is a perfect solution to rid your body of unsightly body hairs.

You can achieve faster hair removal with lesser percentage of re-growth. The treatment is also less painful than other traditional hair removal option.

You can also make laser hair removal safe by always consulting your physician before undergoing treatment.