The procedure of laser hair removal is not associated with any long-term side effects. However, there are debates about the potential risks of this treatment. Generally, temporary and mild reactions may occur after the procedure, but other effects are rare. Beyond that, any statement about the relationship between laser hair removal and long-term health is unfounded.
Occasionally, laser hair removal can cause blisters, crusting, scarring, or other changes in skin texture. Other rare side effects include greying of treated hair or excessive hair growth around treated areas, particularly on darker skin. The long-term effects of laser therapy, including the possibility of an increased risk of cancer, have not been studied yet. Some researchers have noticed changes in atypical moles (dysplastic nevi) after laser hair removal.
Therefore, they suggest that caution be taken when using cosmetic laser therapy in people with a personal or family history of skin cancer or atypical moles, until further research determines whether these changes may be malignant or not. Laser hair removal can be dangerous in inexperienced hands. Burns, permanent changes in skin color, and scarring may occur. You can greatly reduce the risk of suffering possible side effects if you carry out the treatment with a doctor who is very experienced in the use of lasers and with a deep knowledge of the skin. The American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) recommends selecting a board-certified dermatologist to perform laser treatments. That said, laser hair removal can have its own risks and side effects.
These can range from minimal redness and swelling to more rare complications, such as darkening or lightening of the skin, herpes simplex, blistering, and scarring. It's important to consider all the pros and cons before scheduling your first consultation. People often undergo laser hair removal to permanently reduce unwanted hair growth in a more comfortable and time-saving way. The risk of damaging the skin is greater when there is little contrast between hair and skin color, but advances in laser technology have made laser hair removal an option for people with darker skin. Laser hair removal is most effective for people with fair skin and dark hair, but it can be used successfully on all skin types. Be aware of spas, beauty salons, or other centers that allow laser hair removal by non-medical personnel.
Other possible side effects are rare when laser hair removal is performed by a dermatologist or under the direct supervision of a dermatologist. Although initially it can be expensive, laser hair removal can be a great option for those who want to significantly reduce unwanted body hair and reduce regular maintenance. However, there are no comprehensive studies that compare the effectiveness of these devices with laser hair removal performed in the doctor's office. If the hair is too white or blond and the laser cannot detect it, less significant or no hair reduction is possible. Anyone who has tanned, spray-tanned, or went to a tanning booth should wait until the tan has faded as the skin pigment absorbs laser light and reduces the effectiveness of the treatment.
A rare risk is that laser hair removal will end up having an opposite effect leading to increased hair growth. Therefore, the contrast between hair color and skin - dark hair and fair skin - produces the best results. Repeated treatments are often necessary because hair growth and hair loss occur naturally in one cycle and laser treatment works best on hair follicles in the regrowth stage. Although laser hair removal has many advantages, it also comes with its fair share of risks and side effects. Laser hair removal is a safe and effective alternative to other methods such as shaving and waxing which promises a significant reduction in unwanted body hair when done by a trained professional who uses the right type of laser for your skin type.
