The presence of hair in certain body areas among women, including the armpits, legs, and face, can be unsightly. For this reason, most people resort to hair removal methods such as shaving, waxing, and tweezing. Although these processes can temporarily eliminate hair from the skin, they may not cause the best outcomes. For example, when you shave your hair in the wrong direction, you may develop ingrown hairs, which result in painful bumps or cysts. Additionally, hair tends to grow within a short period, which can be frustrating. The good news is that Kenneth Thompson MD uses laser hair removal, which delays hair growth for a more extended period.
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What is laser hair removal?
Laser hair removal is a procedure that uses a concentrated beam of light to destroy hair follicles within the skin to stop or delay future hair growth. A specialist uses a laser device for the procedure and targets specific places with hair. The laser device emits light which the melanin in the hair absorbs. Due to its action method, laser hair removal works best for individuals with dark hair and light skin.
The risk of skin damage is higher if there is little contrast between the skin and hair. The basic principle for this procedure is that the hair pigment and not the skin pigment should absorb the light. Although the treatment works for all skin types, the best outcomes result from greater contrast between their skin and hair. Thanks to advancements in technology, laser hair removal is now an option for individuals with a darker skin tone. Since the melanin in the hair absorbs the light, laser treatment may also not be effective for individuals with colored hair; grey, red, blonde, and white.
Specialists use this treatment to remove hair in several body areas, including the legs, armpits, bikini line, upper lip, and chin. The procedure is effective for nearly all locations but the eyelid and areas near the eye due to the possibility of severe eye injury. Tattooed skin is also not the best for laser hair removal since the art’s pigment may absorb the light, causing skin damage.
Possible risks of laser hair removal
The side effects and possible risks depend on skin type and hair color. Your compliance with pre-treatment and post-treatment care also determines the side effects that you may have. It is common for your skin to feel tender right after the procedure. You may notice some swelling and redness, which should disappear within several hours. The treated skin may also become darker or lighter, and these pigment changes may be temporary or permanent. People with darker skin tend to have skin lightening, but this can also occur if you didn’t avoid sun exposure before or after treatment.
Although it is less common, laser hair removal may cause crusting, blistering, and scarring on the treated skin. There is also the risk of excessive hair growth around the treated areas, common on darker skin. Sometimes the treated hair may turn gray.
Smooth, glossy skin is attractive and makes you feel good about yourself. Reserve a session with your specialist today at A Beautiful You Medical Spa for laser hair removal.