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There are hundreds of laser hair removal horror stories online, but what most of these stories don’t explain are the factors that contributed to these results.
Not all laser clinics are one and the same, and you need to do research before choosing where to get your laser treatments. Our laser hair removal consultation is completely free and our laser experts will walk you through the entire process while answering all of your questions. When laser hair removal goes wrong, that usually means the most severe side effects were experienced. This can be blistering, severe burns, scarring, scabbing, and bruising, some of which might even be permanent.
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If stories surrounding laser hair removal have you second-guessing, be sure to learn the factors that led to those nasty side effects.
Laser Hair Removal Doesn’t Require Medical Knowledge Everywhere
In the United States, laser hair removal is only considered a medical practice in 35 states, and of those 35 states, only 26 require medical personnel to supervise laser treatments being performed by employees without a medical degree or license. New York, Virginia, and Georgia are the only states who do not recognize laser hair removal as a medical procedure, leaving the rest of the United States without a law regulating it at all. Without these laws in place across the country, it allows just about anyone to operate a laser and claim they can provide laser hair removal services.
States that don’t require medical degrees for laser hair removal will be full of laser spas in addition to reputable laser clinics, making it difficult for people to know who to trust when looking into laser services. To make things even more confusing, doctors will have laser machines in their offices and offer laser services after simply reading the laser’s manual, without undergoing any proper training. This makes people believe they can trust them for their services, but they can end up leaving their patients burned and scarred.
The same goes for those who receive laser hair removal treatments overseas. They don’t hold their laser clinics to the same standards, and the majority of the horror stories published online come from Europe.
There Are No Regulations on Lasers Usage
Each laser is designed for a specific procedure, whether it be permanent hair removal, tattoo removal, skin rejuvenation, or another form of laser treatment. However, that doesn’t keep some laser clinics from using a laser designed for laser tattoo removal for your laser hair removal treatments. Not only does this not provide you with the best results, but it can also lead to permanent side effects and injuries.
In addition to there being no regulations on what specific lasers need to be used for each kind of treatment, there are also no unified training requirements. Specific laser clinics might have their own training requirements, but even then it’s impossible to know if the training was done on the specific lasers they’re using in their office. Each laser is different, and being trained on just one is hardly sufficient.
Skin Conditions Are Overlooked
Whether due to a lack of experience on the part of the laser technician or neglect on the client’s end, skin conditions do occasionally go overlooked. Those who experience trouble healing or develop keloid scars when wounded might not be proper candidates for laser hair removal, and should be honest and upfront about this right away.
Your medical licensed laser technician should go over your medical history prior to your first laser treatment, likely during your consultation. This includes learning what medications you’re taking, how easily your skin burns after being out in the sun, whether you have diabetes, and much more. If this isn’t discussed prior to your first laser treatment, consider it a red flag and don’t go back to that location.
How to Ensure Your Laser Hair Removal Goes Right
To avoid becoming one of these horror stories, you’ll want to do the research. Just like you would do before purchasing any new product or checking out a new restaurant, you want to be sure reviews are mostly positive. Here are a few things to look for in a trustworthy laser hair removal clinic:
- A laser clinic that requires their laser technicians to have a medical degree and receive training from the manufacturers of their currently used laser system
- Make sure they’re using the highest quality lasers on the market
- Check that the lasers they’re using weren’t designed for different laser procedures
- Ask for proof of qualifications
- Be sure that their laser hair removal process is customized to your skin type
- Ask them to try laser hair removal on a small area and see how your skin reacts
- Do not have laser hair removal treatments less than 8 weeks apart
Now that you know what qualities to look for in a qualified laser clinic, learn exactly how laser hair removal works in this video.
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Claudio Sorrentino
A born entrepreneur, innovative thinker, and growth strategist with broad-based expertise in operations, finance, and business development, Claudio Sorrentino founded Body Details. Claudio has been featured across several media channels as expert opinion and sought-after commentator on the topic of laser services and donates time speaking at universities and high schools promoting entrepreneurship.
If you’re considering getting laser skin rejuvenation, then you might also be considering buying an at-home laser that claims to do the same thing. They might be marketed in a way that will make you think they’ll provide you with the same results, but the truth is that they’re two significantly different kinds of technology.
Depending on what kind of skin imperfections you’re looking to eliminate, as well as the degree of aging your skin has already experienced, you might be satisfied with a small at-home laser device. However, before making your decision, it’s important to understand the difference between them and professional laser skin rejuvenation.
They Use Different Technology
The technology used for laser skin rejuvenation and skin tightening isn’t safe for at-home use, especially by those who aren’t medically trained to use them. It’s for this reason that any device you bring home claiming to do the same thing won’t have the same strength or technology as the laser treatments you get in the office. Most at-home devices use IPL technology, as it’s safer to use and relatively cheaper. Both IPL and laser devices produce energy and light that sends wavelengths into the layers of the skin to eliminate signs of aging, but they differ in the number of wavelengths used.
A laser will use a single wavelength, which produces more heat and makes it the stronger option. This allows the laser to target specific areas of the skin so that it’s easier to eliminate imperfections. IPL devices aren’t actually lasers but resemble more of the technology associated with lightbulbs. By emitting several wavelengths at once, IPL devices can’t focus on a singular area, making it more difficult to get results.
They Have Different Results
Professional laser skin rejuvenationbetter results
With professional laser skin rejuvenation, on the other hand, each laser pulse takes just a fraction of a second and can treat multiple skin cells at once. Treatments rarely take more than 20 minutes, and results will be seen after just one laser session. Several laser treatments will likely be required to completely eliminate certain skin imperfections or to eliminate wrinkles, but the average is three sessions. It will take many more treatments to see results using an at-home IPL device.
They Have Different Customization Levels
You can count on professionally licensed medical laser technicians to customize the experience for each of their clients. They will take into consideration your skin color, sensitivity level, any medical or skin conditions, what imperfections you’d like eliminated, and so much more. This allows them to adjust the setting of their lasers so that you receive a high-quality treatment.
Devices that can be used at home, however, only offer one general treatment that doesn’t take any of these things into consideration. It needs to work with all skin types and colors, which may or may not be a benefit for you.
They Treat Different Problems
While many skin imperfections lay closer to the skin’s surface, some also reside in the deeper layers of the skin. This includes many pigmentation issues such as scars, sun spots, acne marks, age spots, and overall skin discoloration. Laser skin rejuvenation can eliminate the appearance of any of these imperfections, as today’s advanced laser technology allows lasers to penetrate the layers of the skin and target these problem areas, all without causing damage to the skin’s surface.
Any at-home device won’t have the technology needed to reach these layers of skin and can only focus on fine lines and wrinkles that rest near the surface.
They Have Different Costs
There’s a wide difference in the cost of IPL devices and other at-home gadgets, which is what attracts many people to them. With a one-time charge of a few hundred dollars on average, it might seem like the more appealing option. It’s often a big risk buying them, though, as it takes months to see if they’re working, often long after the return period has ended.
Laser skin rejuvenation performed by a licensed medical laser technician will run you a little over $1,000, but at least you’ll know for sure that you’ll see results. Also, most laser clinics offer package deal prices that will significantly lower your overall cost.
Now that you’ve learned a few important differences between professional laser services and using an at-home device, you might be wondering if laser skin rejuvenation is right for you. If you suffer from skin imperfections that over-the-counter products simply haven’t been able to treat, then likely this noninvasive laser procedure is an option you need to consider.
A professional can help to reduce the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, acne scars, age spots, large pores, sun damage, scars, freckles, birthmarks, and overall skin discoloration. Laser skin rejuvenation can also help to restore your skin’s elasticity and bring back its youthful appearance.
Learn how taking care of your skin after laser skin rejuvenation can help extend your results and keep you looking younger longer in this video:
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Paul A. Boulos
Dr. Paul A. Boulos is an excellent and versatile cosmetic surgeon, passionate about his vocation and helping others. Dr. Boulos is an alumni of Rowan University School of Osteopathic Medicine and completed his General Surgery training at Inspira Medical in Southern New Jersey. He studied and learn under Dr. Joseph Castellano, one of the premier breast and body Cosmetic Surgeons in South Florida. He currently works as a Cosmetic Surgeon at Jolie Plastic Surgery in Miami, FL.
