Laser hair removal aims to reduce unwanted hair. Common treatment sites include the legs, armpits, upper lip, chin, and pubic hair. However, it is possible to remove unwanted hair in almost any area, except for the eyelids or the area around them. Tattooed skin should also not be removed.
Hair color and skin type affect the success of laser hair removal. The basic principle is that hair pigment – not skin pigment – absorbs light. The laser beams are supposed to only damage the hair follicles while avoiding skin damage. Therefore, the contrast between hair and skin color – darker hair and lighter skin – yields the best results.
The risk of skin damage is greatest when there is little contrast between hair and skin color, but advances in laser technology have made laser hair removal an option for darker-skinned people. Laser hair removal is less effective for hair colors that do not absorb light well: gray, red, blond, and white. However, there is an ongoing development of laser treatment options for light-colored hair.
The risk of side effects varies depending on skin type, hair color, treatment plan, and adherence to pre- and post-procedure care steps. The most common side effects of laser hair removal include:
skin irritation You may experience temporary discomfort, redness or swelling after laser hair removal. Signs and symptoms usually go away within a few hours.
chromosomal changes Laser hair removal may darken or lighten the part of the skin that was exposed to the laser beam. These effects may be temporary or permanent. Skin lightening mainly occurs in people who do not avoid sun exposure either before or after treatment, and in people with darker skin.
Laser hair removal rarely causes blistering, peeling, scarring, or other changes in skin texture. Other rare side effects include graying of the hair subject to removal or excessive hair growth around the treated areas, especially in the case of darker skin.
Laser removal of hair on the eyelids, eyebrows, or surrounding areas is not recommended due to the potential for severe eye injury.
How to prepare
If you’re interested in laser hair removal, choose a doctor who is board-certified in a specialty such as dermatology or plastic surgery and has experience with laser hair removal appropriate for your skin type. If a physician’s assistant or licensed nurse will be performing the procedure, make sure the physician supervises and is available on site during treatment. Be wary about spas, salons, or other facilities that allow non-medical personnel to perform laser hair removal.
