These days just about everything is deemed as being bad for you. With that in mind, we keep getting the same question from many of our prospects: “Is Laser Hair Removal Safe?“. People just get sick and tired of constantly having to shave, and this makes laser hair removal look like a pretty ideal solution. People seem to be flocking to this semi-permanent hair removal solution, but just how safe is it really? The good news is that laser hair removal is a pretty safe option. This does not mean that it is not without risks and side effects. It is important to understand these risks before you opt for laser hair removal, rather than having to deal with it after the fact. Let’s take a closer look.  

Minor Side Effects of Laser Hair Removal to Be Aware Of

Minor side effects are actually pretty common with laser hair removal. Laser removal works by using lasers that emit high heat to destroy the hair at the follicle. This is how it offers permanency, but it can also irritate your skin. Redness and inflammation of the skin is pretty common, especially right after the procedure. It is sort of akin to the redness and inflammation that happens after waxing. Some facilities will use a numbing cream to help make this discomfort more bearable. If you have irritation or redness that doesn’t go away within a few hours of the procedure, then you may need to check with your doctor. This is less common, as most people have reported that it went away rather quickly.   Another common side effect is changes in the pigmentation of your skin. It may appear to be just a little bit darker, or a little bit lighter. People with darker skin initially are usually the ones to experience lighter spots, and people with lighter skin initially are the ones that typically have darker spots. The good news is that this is usually just a temporary change in pigmentation, and it won’t last forever.  

Potential Side Effects of Laser Hair Removal Treatments

Side effects from laser hair removal are very rare, but they are not unheard of. Typically, these risks are more prevalent if you choose to use an at home hair removal kit, or choose a facility that does not hire trained and certified laser professionals. This is why you should be so picky about where you have your treatments done.   Here are a few of these rare risks:

• Blisters or Crusting of the Skin
• Scarring
• Changes in the Texture of the Skin
• More Hair Growth

Even though they are rare, it is really important to still understand what could happen as a result of your laser treatment. Typically, people that have experienced scabs or blisters exposed their skin to too much sunlight too soon after the procedure. This is something to keep in mind if you opt for laser removal. Make sure that you do your part to protect your skin afterwards and take care of it to avoid further problems.  

Laser Hair Removal and Pregnancy

If you are considering laser hair removal (click here to book your free consultation) and are pregnant, hang on just a minute! Wait until you have the baby to have the procedure done. This is for a variety of reasons, but the main reason is that there have not been any studies done of pregnant women who have undergone laser hair removal. Therefore the safety of the procedure during pregnancy is not something that we have a very good grasp of.   It is also important to be aware that when you are pregnant you sometimes grow hair in uncommon places, such as around the breasts or on the stomach. Most of the time, these hairs will simply fall out by themselves shortly after you give birth. This is just another reason that you may want to hold off, because who wants to pay for laser hair removal that they don’t really need?  

Laser Hair Removal and Cancer – Fact or Myth?

You can find articles swirling all over the web that will swear to you that laser hair removal causes cancer. The truth is that there is actually no evidence to back up this claim. On the contrary, laser treatments are often used to treat certain types of precancerous skin lesions. This speaks volumes when it comes to laser hair removal and cancer. The bottom line is that it does not pose any risk of cancer, so you can rest assured of this when you book your appointment.  

Getting the Most Out Of Your Laser Hair Removal Experience

To ensure that you have the best experience, with the lowest risk of side effects, you will want to choose a reputable laser hair removal center. This service is often offered by medical professionals, such as dermatologists, and other medically trained experts. Never choose a facility that does not seem to be reputable. This is really just asking for a problem to arise. It doesn’t matter how much of a deal they offer, just steer clear of it! It isn’t worth the risk honestly.   While laser hair removal is safe, and for the most part effective, understanding the possible risks is pretty important. You really never know when you may be one of the ones that has a rare side effect of the treatment. If you are concerned about problems with it, or if you have sensitive skin, it may be worth talking to your doctor about it. You may also just have a sample area done to see how your skin reacts to the treatment.   Understand that if you do opt for laser hair removal, it is not as permanent of a solution as you may think it is. It always requires multiple treatments, and more often than not will also require steady maintenance treatments at least annually to help keep it up. But many people will admit that it beats having to shave each and every day!