The Pros and Cons of Laser Hair Reduction: What You Need to Consider

As an effective treatment, laser hair reduction has gained a lot of prominence in the last few years. But there are both advantages as well as disadvantages of the treatment. 

In this article, we’ll find out the pros and cons of this skincare treatment in California or elsewhere. 

Pros of Laser Hair Removal  

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• Only electrolysis is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for permanent hair removal, although laser treatment can significantly limit hair growth, such that many patients don't see any for months or even years, and the hairs that do pop up are often thinner and lighter in color.  

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• Almost any part of your body is fair game, and the machine makes quick work of covering a lot of ground. Almost anywhere on your body, including your legs, back, underarms, bikini line, stomach, and even your face, can be treated with laser hair removal (provided, of course, that the laser is safe and effective for your skin tone and hair color). Also, contrary to popular belief, laser hair removal in the bikini area does not pose a larger risk of adverse effects than in other places.  

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• Your hair and the location of the service will determine how much discomfort you experience. Many individuals find that laser hair removal is about as painful as they would expect between shaving (no discomfort) and waxing (oh crap that hurts). A numbing gel is often used by technicians before and after laser therapy to assist in desensitizing the area and reduce discomfort. Considering the delicate nature of the bikini and underarm areas, you may experience more discomfort from laser hair removal there. Treatment is still uncomfortable at first, but the pain subsides as the hair gets finer and finer.  

Cons of Laser Hair Reduction  

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• It takes a long time to complete. Underarm laser hair removal sessions normally last five minutes or less because of the small size of the area being treated. Nonetheless, you'll need numerous sessions (usually four to six, depending on the size of the area) and a minimum of six weeks in between them to observe any noticeable improvement.  

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• There has a high price tag. According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, the average cost of a session of laser hair removal services in California is between $300 and $400. This may seem like a lot, but consider how much you spend on razors and bikini waxes throughout your lifetime (Not covered by insurance, unfortunately).  

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• Laser hair removal is most effective on fair skin with dark hair due to the contrast between the skin and the pigment in the hair follicle, making it less effective on darker skin, as described above, or on lighter hair, regardless of skin tone. Studies reveal that the laser may not be as successful at targeting light blonde or white hair; you still may experience a reduction in hair growth, but not to the same level as is normally found in people with more contrast between their skin and hair color. For both light hair and dark skin, lasers like the Nd: YAG perform better than others at identifying the difference between hair and skin. 2  

• Removing unwanted hair with a laser when pregnant is probably not a smart idea. There is currently no safety data available to support utilizing lasers for cosmetic operations like hair removal. Lasers have been used safely to treat medical issues such as kidney stones and genital warts in pregnant women. She also notes that many medical professionals advise against getting cosmetic laser treatments while pregnant due to the potential danger to the unborn child. For this reason, you may want to delay your laser hair removal appointment if you are pregnant or think you might be pregnant within the next few months.  

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• Laser hair removal can cause burns and scarring if performed by an inexperienced person. Regrettably, state licensing systems differ, and in certain cases, none exist. Keep in mind that some states do not mandate that providers of laser hair removal hold a license. If you insist on visiting a spa, you look for a medical spa or laser hair removal center run by a doctor who is board-certified in an aesthetic specialty such as dermatology or plastic surgery and has specific laser certification (even board-certified doctors who want to provide laser hair removal treatments need further training).  

Conclusion 

As an extra safety measure, you should call the skin care clinic in California before making your appointment to make sure that the laser they will use is FDA-approved for hair removal.