Have you ever wondered if laser hair removal at home really works? Do you want to know if laser removes 100% hair?
Yes, laser hair removal at home really works. You can use laser hair devices of low energy levels to get rid of unwanted hair at home. However, the result will vary depending on the consistency of the device’s performance.
Further, an at home laser hair removal treatment can result in up to 90% permanent reduction in your hair growth. Hormonal changes can boost the regrowth of hair, but the result is more than satisfactory.
Laser devices make pubic hair removal easy at home. The process is quick, effective, and less painful.
So, do you want to know more about laser hair removal at home? Here is a complete guide for you.
Things You Must Know About Laser Hair Removal At Home
Laser hair removal is not something that has suddenly popped up. This hair removal procedure came into practice in the late 90s; today, it’s a rage.
And talking about the best at home laser hair removal device, we got the first one in 2003. So, is laser hair removal at home safe?
Yes, laser hair removal at home is safe. The entire process has gone through decades of experiments before it has reached its current form.
Why Are At Home Laser Hair Removal Devices Safe?
There are some factors to consider to prove the safety of at home hair removal devices. We have to follow the safety features of the devices, understand the safety credentials of the device we use, the side effects of the entire process, and what we need to do regarding Sun exposure.
Today, laser hair removal devices for home are much-improved in terms of the light used and the cooling technology. The processes are also finely tuned so that every user gets a safer and more comfortable experience.
Earlier, there were certain myths about the laser hair removal process. It’s great that today, those myths are broken.
Laser hair removal at home does not cause infertility or cancer. The light used in a laser hair removal device can only reach the hair follicles of your skin pores. It cannot cause the mutation of skin cells. So, laser hair removal cannot cause skin cancer or malignancy in any organ of your body.
Similarly, no evidence proves the association between laser hair removal and infertility. As the light cannot reach any internal organ, it cannot cause any damage to your reproductive organs.
What Are The Safety Features Of Laser Hair Removal Devices?
The laser hair removal devices today are carefully labeled. So, you will know which one is the best for your skin tone. For example, if you have a darker skin tone, you can use Nd: YAG lasers for laser hair removal for dark skin at home. This laser comes with a longer wavelength. So, it does impact melanin and directly reaches the hair follicles.
Also, if you consider the best laser hair removal devices, you will come across some super safety features. Those are:
- In-built UV filters for skin protection
- A skin tone sensor
- Skin contact sensors to stop accidental flashes and protect your eyes
- “Smart skin tone sensors” for matching the intensity of the wave according to your skin tone
- International Electrotechnical Commission certification
- Tanning guidance
- Caution about possible side effects
What Are The Dos And Don’ts About Laser Hair Removal At Home?
While doing at home laser hair removal for dark skin or any skin tone, you have to be particular about the dos and don’ts. These are the standard guidelines, and the brand of the device you use or the device’s user manual may have a complete list regarding the dos and don’ts list.
Things You Can Do For Laser Hair Removal At Home
- Read the permitted age limit before using a particular laser hair removal device. Some devices have a permitted age limit of 16 years, and some come with an age limit 18+.
- Ensure that your skin tone and hair color match the intensity of the device you use.
Things To Avoid For Laser Hair Removal At Home
- Don’t go for laser hair removal if you are pregnant or a lactating mother.
- Avoid using laser light for hair removal around your eyebrows, eyes, ears, anus, genitals and nipples.
- Do not use a laser hair removal device on any dark spot, including birthmarks, moles, or patches.
- You can avoid laser hair removal if you have tattoos or wear permanent makeup.
- Do not go for laser hair removal if you have varicose veins.
- Cuts and wounds must not come in contact with laser light.
- Avoid this service if you have implants like pacemakers, silicon implants, neurostimulators, or insulin pumps.
What Are The Best Body Areas To Use Laser Hair Removal Device? (For Men And Women)
A friend of mine had polycystic ovary syndrome. As we were growing up, she was often mocked for her excessive facial and body hair. As we crossed 18, she and I both became eligible for using laser hair removal devices. Trust me! It was like a boon for us and especially for her. She could easily keep herself groomed with any embarrassment and discomfort.
Even metrosexual men often struggle to groom themselves and discreetly get rid of excess hair.
The body areas where a laser hair removal device can be used are more or less the same for men and women. However, most devices are not suitable for application on men’s faces and beards.
Permitted Laser Hair Removal Body Parts For Women
- Underarms
- Neck
- Chest
- Upper lips
- Chin
- Jaw
- Cheeks
- Sideburns
- Arms
- Around the nipples
- Belly
- Bum
- Bikini lines
- Legs, thighs and feet
Permitted Laser Hair Removal Body Parts For Men
- Arms
- Underarms
- Chest
- Neck
- Shoulders
- Torso
- Arms
- Abdomen
- Legs, thighs and feet
- Bum
- Brokini lines
Understanding The Light Used In Laser Hair Removal At Home Devices
The laser lights used in hair removal devices offer effective treatments to dedicated areas. Each device comes with laser light with a single wavelength that goes deep into your skin follicle and removes hair.
Skin Tones And Laser Hair Removal At Home
Is knowing my skin tone important before I take a laser hair removal service? Yes, you must know about your skin tone before going for a laser hair removal service because the laser light used in a device will reach the hair follicles and heat up the melanin present there.
Melanin is also present in our skin, giving it a specific tone. Your skin will have lesser melanin if you have a lighter skin tone. So, the laser device will heat up your skin moderately.
However, if you have a darker skin tone, the skin will have more melanin. In this scenario, you have to pick the right device for your skin tone. Otherwise, there are chances of skin damage prompted by overheating your skin. You may end up having redness, blisters, redness, darker spots, etc.
If I consider the Fitzpatrick skin scale, there are six types (I-VI) of skin tones.
Skin tones I to IV are classified as light and medium skin tones. Tones V and VI are called dark or very dark skin tones.
| Type Of Skin | Features |
|---|---|
| Type I | Pale white light skin, does not get tanned |
| Type II | Fair white skin, has less chance of getting tans |
| Type III | Can have mild Sunburns and gradual tanning, “medium white to olive” skin tone |
| Type IV | “Olive to medium brown” skin tone, gets easily tanned |
| Type V | Brown to dark brown skin tone, tanning happens easily |
| Type VI | Very dark brown to black, tans easily |
Type I to IV skin types are ideal for almost any standard at home laser epilator. However, the last two skin tones need a device to filter out the light wavelengths harmful to your skin. Sometimes, IPL and laser hair removal technologies are used in combination with a device for the best hair removal results for a darker skin tone.
Does The Color Of My Hair Impact Laser Hair Removal?
Yes, for laser hair removal at home, you have to consider the color of your hair along with your skin tone.
- You will notice the best laser hair removal results if you have black hair with the highest melanin.
- Laser hair removal gives prominent results for dark brown hairs, too. Dark brown hairs have a high amount of melanin.
- Brown hairs have a lot of melanin, making laser hair removal effective.
- Dark blonde hairs with adequate melanin are good for laser hair removal.
- Laser hair removal will not be very effective if you have light blonde skin hair.
- If you have red/ginger, grey, or white hair, laser hair removal is not an option for you.
What Are The Pros And Cons Of Laser Hair Removal At Home
Let’s compare the pros and cons of laser hair removal devices at home. Laser hair removal at home devices are safe and use lower energy levels. So, an at home laser hair epilator device is great.
But a laser hair removal device for home has its own share of limitations. You may not get the most effective results as it will use lower energy levels.
At the same time, home laser epilators work better for certain skin tone hair color combinations. Professional hair removal services, on the other hand, effectively remove hair from all skin types and tones.
Do You Know The Difference Between IPL and Laser Hair Removal Services?
Is IPL hair removal better than laser hair removal? IPL or intense pulse light hair removal is an easy and quick method as it can remove hair from a large area of your body at a time. So, if you use an IPL hair removal device, you can save time and get smoother skin.
What makes IPL hair removal different from laser hair removal? Here are some key differences and similarities between the two hair removal processes.
| Similarities Between IPL And Laser Hair Removal | Differences Between IPL And Laser Hair Removal |
|---|---|
| IPL and laser are used for hair removal and additional skin conditions or skincare requirements. For example, laser removal devices are used to treat acne scars, thread veins, and pigmented lesions. Similarly, IPL hair removal can treat facial flushing and rosacea. | IPL hair removal works best for lighter skin tones, and laser hair removal works perfectly for lighter and medium skin tones. Laser skin tone can also be used for darker skin tones with some additional filtering of the rays. |
| Price-wise, both are at par. Each IPL hair removal session is cheaper than laser hair removal. However, laser hair removal will need fewer sessions than IP epilation. So, in the long-term, the cost factor is almost at par. | Laser hair removal is more targeted, and that’s why it offers better results than IPL. Laser hair removal is a more effective method because it uses a monochromatic light. An IPL hair removal machine does not have a monochromatic light. So, it has lights of different colors, and only a small percentage of the light works effectively for hair removal. |
| Both are suitable for men and women. | Laser lights used in the devices are coherent, but IPL is not coherent. |
| Medical history analysis and skin patch tests are a must before both services. | The light waves emitted by a laser device are parallel. So, they can offer effective results in removing hair. IPL waves are not parallel. So, the waves spread out and may not be as powerful as laser waves in removing hair. |
Final Words
Laser hair removal at home is a safe and effective procedure with the light waves penetrating through the hair follicles and causing around 90% permanent reduction in hair. A laser hair removal device’s monochromatic and parallel waves offer targeted hair removal.
However, suppose you have some pre-existing medical conditions, including chronic skin disease, congestive cardiac disorders, diabetes, skin cancer, or recent surgeries in the treatment.
In that case, you will not be eligible for this hair removal service. Anticoagulation, painkillers, and immunosuppressive medicines also interact with laser hair removal.
So, share your medical history and the details of medicines you take before you go for this service.
What is your take on laser hair removal? Did you get it done at home? Don’t forget to share.
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