Should You Remove Unwanted Hair With Laser Hair Removal? The Side Effects And Risks

Recently updated on October 25th, 2022 at 11:32 am

If you’re dealing with unwanted hair on your body, you’re probably considering laser hair removal or different ways to get rid of it. 

While there are a few different options when you want to remove unwanted hair, laser hair removal is one of the most effective.

However, there are side effects and potential risks when it comes to getting laser hair removal. It’s best to be informed before you make any decisions and remove unwanted hair.

Keep reading on to find out all you need to know about unwanted hair removal, and whether it could be good for you.

What Is Laser Hair Removal?

Laser hair removal aims to destroy the hair follicle, preventing further hair growth. If you’re wondering how to remove unwanted hair, it’s probably one of the first methods to cross your mind.

It’s not completely foolproof, as if the follicle gets damaged rather than destroyed, hair may grow back eventually — it’s a long-term solution rather than a permanent solution.

Light is used to aim at the pigment in each hair, and it travels down into the follicle, and the heat from the light is what destroys the follicle.

What Are the Side-Effects and Risks?

Of course, laser hair removal is a comparatively safe procedure, but there are side effects present that perhaps wouldn’t appear if you tried other ways to remove unwanted hair. 

During the treatment itself, some people will experience a little discomfort — most often burning or stinging, and you can use a numbing cream for relief. However, a minority of patients will have an allergic reaction to the cream.

There are other minor side effects too, generally focusing on the skin. You might find that there’s a slight temporary change in the color of your skin, or you might see a bit of redness, crusting, or crusting. 

Sometimes, irritation can cause a little scarring, while damaged skin can become infected — though rare, this could be life-threatening.

How to Minimize Risks

It helps to be open about your medical history and discuss the treatment with your provider before you start. That way, they can work out what’s right for you.

Meanwhile, it helps to avoid exposing your skin to the sun after treatment, as it can irritate your skin even more.

If in doubt, seek medical attention. If your skin looks to be damaged, you have a fever, or you’re in a lot of pain, it’s better to be safe than sorry. 

Other Ways to Remove Unwanted Hair

There are other ways to remove unwanted body hair, from shaving and waxing to threading and using various creams and lotions, but they’re unlikely to be as effective as laser hair removal.

Ultimately, to remove unwanted hair laser hair removal is probably your best bet. However, it won’t be right for everyone, and you should take the potential side effects and risks into account before you decide on undergoing the treatment.

If you’re looking for more health and beauty tips, be sure to check out the rest of the posts here on our blog.