We all wish we didn’t have hair on body areas such as our legs, underarms, and faces; that explains the hours we spend shaving, waxing, or plucking, to get rid of the hair. While these methods can help eliminate body hair, their results are often short-lived, meaning you have to repeat the process. Besides being time-consuming, hair removal methods like shaving can cause ingrown hairs and razor bumps, usually unsightly. The good news is that PureMD offers hair removal – a better way to remove unwanted hair.

What is laser hair removal?

Laser hair removal is a procedure that uses a concentrated light beam to remove unwanted hair. It is commonly used to get rid of hair in the armpits, legs, upper lip, chin, and bikini line, but it can be used on nearly all body areas. The eyebrows and surrounding areas are an exception due to the risk of severe eye injury. Laser hair removal does not remove hair permanently but inhibits or delays hair growth for an extended period.

How does laser hair removal work?

A laser emits light energy, which the melanin or hair pigment absorbs. The light energy then transforms to heat energy which destroys or damages the hair follicles that produce hairs. The damage delays hair growth for an extended period. As a basic principle, the pigment in hair and not skin should absorb the light; the laser light should only damage hair follicles while avoiding damage to the skin. Therefore, the success of laser hair removal is influenced by hair color and skin type. Dark hair and light skin result in the best results, but little contrast between hair and skin color may cause skin damage. Although laser hair removal is most effective for people with light skin and dark hair, it can be successful on all skin types.

Technology advancements have made laser hair removal safe for people with darker skin. But the treatment is less effective for light-colored hair. People with hair colors like white, gray, red, and blond are less likely to benefit from laser hair removal. But developments in laser treatment for light-colored hair are underway.

How safe is laser hair removal?

Laser hair removal is safe when performed by a qualified dermatologist, but the risk of burns is high when in inexperienced hands. For this reason, you should select your provider carefully while paying attention to spas and salons that allow nonmedical personnel to perform the treatment. It is also essential to work with a professional since they will ensure you are a good candidate for the procedure. During an initial consultation, your provider may caution against laser hair removal if you have a history of scarring or skin disorders.

Although treatment is safe, it causes mild side effects like redness and swelling in the treated areas. They are temporary and often fade away in several hours. Other possible risks include color changes; your skin may darken or lighten. Skin lightening is likely to occur if you don’t avoid sun exposure before or after treatment. These pigment changes can be temporary or permanent.

Schedule an appointment with your provider at PureMD for laser hair removal to enjoy smooth, hair-free skin for a lengthy period.