Laser Hair Removal: The Risks of Using an Inexperienced Practitioner

Laser hair removal has become a popular way to get smoother, stubble-free skin. However, as simple as the treatment sounds, there are some risks. They are not usually as serious as those associated with surgery, but some patients may find the risks concerning enough to be aware of, as this treatment may damage the skin if not performed by a professional. Knowing the risks should encourage you to do some research on reputable professionals who specialize in this service before getting it done.

Not surprisingly, the number one risk of this service is burns to the skin, as anything involving lasers has this possibility. This treatment works best when the follicle absorbs the heat, but when the person performing it is inexperienced with the equipment, the epidermis may absorb the heat, instead. You should know that most burns occur on those with darker skin since the pigment is more likely to absorb the heat, which means you should think twice about getting laser hair removal if you have a darker complexion.

Another possibility is that your skin will change tones after laser hair removal. It may become hyperpgimented, which means it will become darker, or it could become hypopigmented, or lighter. This is because the development of melanin can be either stimulated or prevented by the equipment for this treatment, which means that pigment is either added or lost. Both tend to occur more often on those with a darker complexion, which makes this service risky to such people in particular. The good news is that hyperpigmentation is usually reversible so that it is temporary, but unfortunately, hypopigmentation typically cannot be reversed. Of course, if you only get areas that are rarely seen treated, such as the armpits, this may not be much of a concern, but if you are getting your face or legs treated, you should think twice about whether this kind of damage is worth it.

While accidents can happen to any practitioner, these risks are more frequent when the service is performed by inexperienced employees. For this reason, it is crucial that you make sure the person performing laser hair removal on you has done this plenty of times, with good results. Ask friends and family who they have used successfully in the past, or even ask your doctor for a referral to a professional who specialized in this treatment. While getting rid of stubble for a long period of time sounds good, it is not usually worth possible long-term damage.