Smooth armpits, legs and a stubble-free bikini area - without having to reach for the razor every day? Sounds tempting, right? Hair-free skin without annoying razor bumps, redness or cuts not only feels good, but also flatters your self-confidence - whether in the outdoor pool in summer, visiting the sauna in winter or on a spontaneous date.
Even if one of the Beauty trends While growing underarm hair was fashionable in recent years, most women, and now many men as well, feel significantly more comfortable without it. Smooth skin is seen not only as a symbol of a well-groomed appearance and self-confidence, but also of style, hygiene, and self-care rituals.
As appealing as the idea of permanently smooth legs may be in theory, laser hair removal – like all medical and cosmetic treatments – can, in practice, be associated with common side effects. If you decide on permanent hair removal, you should definitely be aware of the risks of laser hair removal before treatment.
In this blog post, we therefore summarize everything you need to know about the topic Laser hair removal Risks summarized for you. Let's go!
First things first: This is how laser hair removal works
At a permanent laser hair removal Unwanted hairs are removed using needle and Laser epilation reliably removed by trained specialists.
Our Laser hair removal For example Sanft & Schön is based on a patented system that uses a 3-wave diode laser It works. This focuses light so that it can penetrate your skin in a targeted way – and thus the hair root destroyed. More precisely, the laser light penetrates your superficial skin layers, causing the Melanin Your hair absorbs the energy. This converts the light energy into heat, damaging the surrounding cell structures responsible for hair regrowth. This results in permanently hair-free skin.
That's the theory. Before we begin with permanent hair removal, however, we'll have a detailed consultation. We need to get to know your skin and hair to rule out any potential risks associated with laser hair removal treatment. Because: Permanent hair removal using a laser isn't suitable for everyone Skin types suitable. Of course, you can already make your own Determine skin type, to see if your skin is suitable for laser hair removal.
Permanent laser hair removal: Not all skin types are suitable
The bad news first: Laser hair removal is not suitable for every skin type and hair color. Standard laser devices, like those found in most beauty salons, only work really well on dark or dark blonde hair on light skin without the risks associated with laser hair removal.
Laser hair removal can be particularly challenging for very fair skin and blonde or reddish hair. White and platinum blonde hair contains too little melanin to absorb the laser radiation and transmit it to the follicle. In such cases, burns can occur. To rule this out, you should definitely have a test laser treatment if you are unsure.
However, it can also be problematic for people with very dark skin: In this case, laser treatment is often rarely, if ever, possible. This is because laser treatment on darker skin requires special devices that use particularly low energy doses, as otherwise pigmentation disorders can occur.
If you experience pigmentation irregularities during your treatment, you should consult with the team and, in the worst-case scenario, discontinue the laser hair removal. Although the light or dark areas will eventually blend in with the surrounding skin tone, it is a risk that not every client understandably wants to take.
Laser hair removal risks: skin redness, blistering and scarring
Do you have fair skin and dark hair? Excellent, that means you're among the people who statistically tolerate laser hair removal best. Unfortunately, even with melanin-rich hair, you're not completely immune to the risks and unpleasant side effects of laser hair removal. Typical side effects of laser treatment, such as pain, redness, blisters, swelling, scabs, bleeding, temporary hypo- and hyperpigmentation, and unwanted hair loss, can also occur in your case.
But don't worry: These discomforts are usually temporary and heal without scarring. The situation is different if the laser is set too high in the studio – then, in the worst case, irreversible scars can develop. More serious side effects also include higher-degree burns with scarring, impaired wound healing with infectious consequences, dyspigmentation (disruption of the skin's pigment content), and bacterial, viral, and fungal infections. The latter are caused, for example, by various types of fungi.
Laser treatment of moles
Moles are among the risks of laser hair removal. Moles contain a high amount of melanin, so they absorb the laser's concentrated light just like the hair follicle, which should be the actual target of the treatment. Because this can lead to severe burns, laser hair removal is not possible on highly pigmented areas of skin such as birthmarks.
If you have moles, you should definitely not have permanent hair removal done on the affected area. Our specialists are aware of this and ensure that your moles are carefully covered and avoided during any treatment.
Laser treatment: When do the risks outweigh the benefits?
In some cases, it's advisable to avoid permanent hair removal altogether – for example, laser treatment is not recommended if you suffer from severe circulatory problems or venous diseases. Regular use of cortisone or anabolic steroids is also a contraindication. If you are pregnant or have a pacemaker, you should also refrain from laser treatment as a precaution, especially if you're doing it yourself at home.
Laser hair removal risks: Home laser
Home lasers are now offered in many discount stores and advertised as an inexpensive alternative for home use. However, medical recommendations indicate that these devices pose high risks for laser hair removal: According to the medical journal Its use is strongly discouraged.
Patients without medical knowledge should absolutely not attempt to do it themselves, as the treatment frequently leads to complications affecting the skin and eyes, especially in laypeople. So: hands off and go to an expert. In professional studios, you can be sure that your laser hair removal will be performed correctly and is suitable for your skin type. Hair types will be carried out accordingly.
Conclusion: Risks of laser hair removal
Since lasers became established in the medical, cosmetic, and aesthetic fields, many treatments have been performed with excellent results. Permanent hair removal is no longer just for women. Our male clients are also welcome: Laser hair removal for men offers numerous advantages.
However, as with all therapies, laser treatment also carries a range of risks and side effects, which can sometimes include more serious adverse events. Fortunately, these usually disappear on their own or can be avoided through a professional consultation before the procedure. Therefore, be sure to speak with your esthetician before undergoing laser treatment.
In summary, irritations that occur directly as a result of the removal process in the first few hours after treatment usually subside very quickly. Even hyperpigmentation – that is, the darkening or lightening of the treated skin compared to the surrounding skin – usually disappears quickly and at the latest after a few months.
Depending on the body area being treated, the pain of laser therapy can be reduced thanks to optimized treatment methods and state-of-the-art technology, so you don't need to be afraid of it. To protect your eyes from the laser light, you will also receive special protective goggles that you must wear during the procedure.
In any case, it is true that home lasers are many times more dangerous than any professionally performed treatment in a beauty salon.
At Sanft & Schön we would be happy to discuss possible, undesirable effects of the Laser hair removal Berlin Mitte Do you have any questions about permanent hair removal beforehand? We're happy to help you by phone or message.