Home Laser Hair Removal Side Effects

Consumers want to have a full picture of what to expect when using a new appliance such as a home laser hair removal device.  Understanding how it works and the risks involved is a good idea.

How a home laser hair removal system works

When laser energy is absorbed, it creates heat and causes change.  This fact allows a laser to stop hair growth. When laser energy is absorbed by the dark pigment in your hair follicles, the hairs stop growing.

This sounds simple doesn't it?   When you have light skin, only dark pigments in the hairs are touched.  However, if there are dark pigments in the skin, the skin absorbs the laser energy and can be burned.

This is why laser hair removal at home works only if you have a light skin tone and dark hairs.  If your skin is tanned, medium brown, dark brown, or black, using a laser could harm your skin.

Temporary side effects sometimes occur

Exposing your skin and hair to a laser beam will create some sensitivity.  Immediately after use of the device and possibly for the next few days, your skin can be mildly irritated, reddened, or swollen.  You are advised to protect your sensitive area of skin from direct sunlight for about a week after using one of these devices.

Long-term or permanent side effects are rare

Long-term side effects can occur after treatments, but rarely.  Most often harm occurs when the skin is too dark, absorbs heat, and becomes blistered or discolored.  Home laser hair removal systems have built-in safety measures to prevent use on dark skin and to prevent too much exposure.

Using a personal appliance with common sense prevents unwanted results

Knowing how laser energy works can guide you in using one of these appliances.  You should experience only minor, temporary discomfort.  Common sense will tell you to switch to a lower energy setting or to give your skin a break, if you experience anything more than brief discomfort.  If you have very sensitive skin or an unusual skin or hair condition, you might want to consult with an aesthetic doctor, before using one of these devices.   Otherwise, using your home device with care will ensure intended benefits with minimal side effects.

Other sources of information

If you have further questions there are reliable sources of information.  You can consult with the manufacturer, the FDA (U.S. Food and Drug Administration), a spa, or an aesthetic doctor.  Legitimate devices are approved by the FDA.  This government body has online information and can be contacted on the phone.  Certain aesthetic doctors and spas who sell and recommend these devices, are also well-informed.

Louise Bently writes about homelaserhairremovalsystems.com home laser hair removal and has more advice about the many aspects of personal laser hair removal at home. Discover more about how to avoid homelaserhairremovalsystems.com/general-advice/home-laser-hair-removal-side-effects laser hair removal side effects.