Laser hair removal treatments have been getting more and more popular over the last few years because it is a quick and effective treatment. However, the rise in popularity has also led to an increase in the number of people that are trying at-home laser hair removal. Should you give laser treatments a try? And more importantly, what are the risks of at-home laser hair removal?
How Does Laser Hair Removal Work?
Laser hair removal
It’s important to note that laser hair removal is not a permanent solution, and hair usually reappears after a period of time. However, laser hair removal delays hair growth considerably, making it a preferred alternative to waxing.
At-Home Laser Hair Removal
Generally speaking, laser hair removal requires special equipment and expertise. Even so, that didn’t stop multiple companies from releasing their own portable laser devices. As a result, anyone can now buy their own device and start removing their hair at home.
What Are the Risks of At-Home Laser Hair Removal?
With so many products and companies on the market, laser hair removal has become the subject of a number of controversies. And while professional clinics are usually safe, at-home laser hair removal involves more risks.
Redness and Irritation
As previously mentioned, laser hair removal damages the follicles of the targeted hairs. In turn, the body reacts by causing redness and irritation in the area. Additionally, the skin may become more tender and swell a bit.
While the symptoms are usually temporary, they mostly occur when people use portable devices. That’s because those are not always calibrated according to the properties of your skin. And since most people lack the expertise to calibrate them, redness and irritation are almost a guarantee.
Burns
There is a high risk of burns if laser hair removal is not done properly. Research shows that there was significant unwanted thermal damage to the skin as a result of UV dose increase. While clinic laser hair removal can involve the same risks, doctors know exactly how to reduce or even eliminate any dangers involved.
Skin Lightening or Darkening
As with any procedure involving lasers and direct skin contact, there is a possibility of it changing your skin tone. However, that usually happens during prolonged exposure to laser and affects only a small area of your skin.
But it’s important to know that without proper care, the damage may last much longer and may even become permanent. Therefore, you should try to reduce the usage of at-home laser hair removal devices and instead rely on professional clinics who know how to reduce this risk.
Crusting
Some people can experience skin crusting, which is usually a minor inconvenience. Even so, that can lead to scabbing or even scarring, depending on the sensitivity of your skin. If you experience crusting, you should avoid peeling the scabs. Our advice is to try using healing ointments over the dry and crusty areas that were exposed to the laser treatment.
To prevent similar outcomes, clinics use specially designed moisturizing creams that can accelerate the healing process. They also make sure to avoid exposing your skin to the laser without preparing it beforehand.
Eye Injury
Since the laser procedure involves using dangerous light beams, the risk of eye injuries is extremely high. The chance of injuring yourself increases when you use laser devices to remove facial hair. In fact, according to a study, the unprofessional use of laser hair removal products can lead to devastating eye injuries. What’s even worse is that most products never even mention the need for special protective equipment.
Skin Infection
Most cosmetic hair removal methodsrisk factors
Are Professional Laser Hair Removal Clinics Safe?
Most laser clinicslaser hair removal procedures
Additionally, since most side effects occur after the procedure, doctors pay close attention to any symptom that might occur. You can also expect to receive post-procedure indications that can accelerate your skin healing rate.
The Dermatology and Laser Group
If you are interested in giving laser hair removal a try, then you can rely on the Dermatology and Laser Group laser hair removal services. Not only do we focus on our team and its training, but we also use cutting edge technology to improve the classic procedure. In fact, we are using two of the most advanced laser devices out there, the Motus AX and Lumenis Lightsheer Quattro. As a result, the procedure is 100% painless and involves little to no risks.
And since we put a huge emphasis on safety, our procedures are always supervised by a professional physician. You can relax knowing that our methods are quick, convenient, and effective. So what are you waiting for? Give us a call and let us show you why we are one of the best clinics in Manhattan.
Final Thoughts
Overall, at-home laser hair removal devices are much more dangerous than what professionals use. Add in the lack of experience and you might end up with a few scars, or even worse.
However, it doesn’t mean that you should avoid laser treatments, in fact, clinics use cutting edge and completely safe equipment. Therefore, you should only rely on professional clinics for all your laser hair removal needs.
And remember that you can always count on the highly-trained team at the Dermatology and Laser Group.
Arash Akhavan, MD is founder and owner of The Dermatology and Laser Group, one of the top centers for cosmetic procedures in New York City for over a decade. Arash Akhavan, MD, FAAD is a Board Certified Dermatologist and an Associate Professor at The Mount Sinai School of Medicine. Dr. Akhavan is a Castle Connolly Top Doc, New York Magazine Best Doctor, and Super Doctor featured in The New York Times. Dr. Akhavan is a key opinion leader that has been featured on hundreds of media publications including The New York Times, Allure, Marie Claire, Women’s Health, Cosmopolitan, ABC News, Fox News, Fox 5, NY1, WPIX, and more. He has been featured on nationally syndicated television programs such as The Doctors.
Dr. Akhavan serves as an educator and lecturer for multiple aesthetic device and injectable companies. This allows his office access to newer technologies at an earlier date than other offices, as well as a higher level of expertise in the use of these devices. This, in turn, translates to more effective and safer treatments for our patients.
