Does Laser Hair Removal Cause Scarring?

Many women would love to throw away their razors, cancel their waxing appointments and never deal with chemical creams again. Laser hair removal is one of the most popular and affordable cosmetic procedures, but can it cause permanent damage to your skin?

Safe, If…

Like any medical procedure laser hair removal carries some risk. However, when a licensed professional is performing the procedure, the risks are extremely minimal. Scarring is very rare, as is discoloring of the skin. Blistering or bleeding should not be a result of a proper laser treatment. Some redness and swelling is expected to occur, but should be gone within three days at most. Laser hair removal is only as safe as the person administering the treatment; almost every hair removal horror story out there is a result of a mishandled instrument by an amateur. Much like the warnings on extreme sports, do not try this at home.

Personalized Laser Hair Removal

The result is cosmetic, but the process is medical. Prospective clients should consult a doctor before opting for a laser removal procedure, as medical history can affect the outcome of the procedure. Healing ability and some kinds of prescription drugs can also make a difference in laser results. Also, skin tone makes a big difference in what kind of laser is used in the removal process. In order to understand why this is, it helps to know a little bit about how the lasers work. The ideal candidate for laser removal used to be a person with very fair skin and dark hair. Since darker colors absorb heat better than lighter tones, the laser concentrates on the dark hairs to remove them while leaving the light skin unharmed. Thankfully in recent years the technology has improved to such a degree that even people with darker skin shades can still be candidates for the procedure. When inquiring about the procedure, ask about the experience the technician has with people who have a similar skin tone to yours. In general, the lasers used for the different ranges of skin tone are as follows; the Alexandrite for light skin, the Diode for light to tanned tones, and the Nd:YAG for darker skin. The Ruby is the oldest tool in the laser hair removal business and while it can be used effectively, it is generally not recommended.

Reduced Risk Laser Hair Removal

The most important step you can take to reducing risk is to select a qualified professional. While the technician does not necessarily have to be a doctor or nurse to be qualified, they should be certified in the procedure and have a great amount of experience. Do not be afraid to ask for proof of certification, or for before-and-after pictures of past patients.
In addition to asking questions, remember to follow instructions. In order to achieve the best results, a candidate must adhere to all pre and postoperative instructions given to them. Following aftercare instructions from your treatment provider exactly as they are written can help reduce healing time and scarring risk.