Though laser hair reduction is generally a safe procedure, burns and hyper-pigmentation emerge as some common side effects. These can be avoided if the person doing the job is well-trained.
Years after getting laser hair removal, some people are happy with their results, while others have mixed feelings. For many, the treatment significantly reduces hair growth, and only a little maintenance is needed. However, some people find that their hair starts to grow back over time.
Rarely, laser hair removal can cause blistering, crusting, scarring or other changes in skin texture. Other rare side effects include graying of treated hair or excessive hair growth around treated areas, particularly on darker skin.
Laser hair removal can be dangerous in inexperienced hands. Burns, permanent changes to your skin color, and scars can occur. You can greatly reduce the risk of possible side effects by having your treatment performed by a medical doctor who is extremely skilled in using lasers and has in-depth knowledge of the skin.
LASER TREATMENTS
Don't go there if your peach fuzz is light in color – laser will do more damage than good, as laser hair removal works by targeting the pigment in the hair. You could end up with burns, permanent hyperpigmentation or scarring, with no reduction in peach fuzz.
Who Should Avoid Laser Hair Removal. People who are taking certain medications, such as acne treatments, should avoid laser hair removal. It can also be a bad fit for people with certain skin conditions, like a history of skin cancer or keloid scars. Women who are pregnant or nursing should also put off hair removal.
Hair Shedding – After a laser hair removal treatment, it's common for the treated hair to shed. This shedding process can take 10-14 days post treatment. And during this time, it may appear as though the hair is growing back thicker and darker. However, this is simply the hair follicle shedding the treated hair.
Potential Regrowth
Stopping often means you're more likely to experience regrowth sooner. The hair might be finer than before or grow back at a slower rate, but the permanence promised by continuing treatment is unlikely.
Individuals with certain medical conditions such as active skin infections, herpes simplex virus (HSV) outbreaks in the treatment area, lupus, diabetes, or a history of keloid scarring may not be suitable candidates for laser hair removal.
This is a sign that the laser successfully treated the follicle, and it's clearing out the dead hair shaft. This shedding process, also called “peppering,” can last anywhere from a few days to a couple of weeks. In some cases, it may feel like the hair is growing back because it's breaking through the skin.
While the results are not permanent, laser hair removal reduces the amount of pubic hair that grows over time. Laser hair removal is generally safe when done by a licensed professional. There may be swelling or redness for a few days after it's done.
Laser treatments are an excellent option for removing the appearance of strawberry legs. When you get rid of leg hair for good with targeted and precise treatments, you can prevent dead skin, oil, and bacteria from getting trapped in those pores, which causes the appearance of strawberry legs.
Laser hair removal isn't permanent. It's unlikely that treatments will target all the hairs in their growth phase. Some hair will grow back, but it's usually lighter and thinner than before.
Let's Address the Elephant in the Room – Embarrassment
Thinking about laser hair removal on such an intimate area can definitely feel awkward at first. Many people worry about exposing this area or feel self-conscious about their bodies. But here's the truth – you're not alone, and this is entirely normal.
By doing so, you remove the target that the laser must hit during the next session. Without hair in the follicle, the laser cannot destroy the hair follicle, which reduces the effectiveness of the treatment. By depilating between sessions, you run the risk of compromising the results of your laser hair removal.
Many people that undergo laser hair removal experience hair-free skin for around 2 years after receiving the recommended number of sessions. However, this timeline differs by patient. Individual results may vary due to factors such as the area being treated, hair thickness and density, and hormone levels.
These sessions are typically spaced every 4 to 6 weeks, meaning you'll likely need 8 to 12 treatments in the initial year. After completing your initial course of treatments, maintenance sessions are usually needed once or twice a year to maintain smooth, hair-free skin.
Some people will not need any further laser hair removal treatments after 5 treatments, but others will. This will depend on your hair, how you've been caring for the treatment area, and how well your hair follicle reacts to the laser.
When the laser targets the hair follicle, it damages the root of the hair. This damage signals to the body that the hair is no longer needed and will eventually be shed. In most cases, this occurs 1 to 3 weeks after your LHR treatment, and it sometimes looks like blackheads or stubble.
You have a disease or are on medications that may affect wound healing. Certain conditions, such as autoimmune diseases (e.g., lupus, rheumatoid arthritis), immunodeficiency states (e.g., HIV) and diabetes, and some medications (e.g., retinoic acid and steroids) may prevent proper healing after a refractive procedure.
Blond, fine hairs cannot be targeted by the lasers and therefore, cannot be removed with this method. Waxing is a better choice for light colored hair. Individuals with darker skin tones or who tan easily, may have a harder time getting results from laser hair removal.
The ideal candidates for laser hair removal are individuals with dark hair and light skin, as the contrast between the hair and skin allows for better targeting of the hair follicles. However, advancements in laser technology have made it possible to treat a wider range of hair colors and all skin types.