Many people have unwanted facial hair. While there are a number of temporary ways to remove those unwanted hair such as shaving, hair removal creams and lotions, hot wax and electrolysis, many people these days are choosing to get rid of that unwanted hair using laser hair removal.
Laser hair removal has been around awhile, and while there is no guarantee that this method of hair removal can permanently stop hair growth it has proven effective in slowing down the growth process, thinning hair in those areas where you don’t want it and many times the hair that does grow back is lighter than before laser treatments. Considered a safe way to remove unwanted hair, laser hair removal does have certain risks involved with it that you should be aware of.
These risks include temporary side effects such as reddening of the treated area and stinging. People can also experience either temporary or permanent lightening or darkening of the skin surround the the hair follicles. In rare cases, there can be burning, scabbing and scarring around the hair follicle.
What Causes Burning During Laser Hair Removal
To understand what causes burning during laser hair removal, you need to understand how this process works. Laser hair removal uses very strong light beams to actually burn the hair at it’s root. These light beams are hot and that is why technicians use cooling methods while doing laser treatments to keep the skin around the follicle from becoming overheated and burning.
It is important when technicians remove hair using a laser that they use the right strength of beam for the type of skin a client has. If the laser is set wrong for the type of skin a client has or if the skin is not cooled properly then there is an increased chance of burning and scarring.
Since areas of the face where unwanted hair grows are unusually sensitive, there is more likelihood of facial burning if the technician is untrained or if the laser hair removal is done at home. If the burn is bad enough to cause oozing and scabbing, scars are more likely to result. Trained technicians never remove hair from under the brow ridge using a laser but, they do work on other sensitive areas of the face such as under the lip and between the eyes.
There is an increased risk of burning and scarring with home laser machines, as the users of these machines are do it yourselfers with no training and may or may not follow directions for proper use. Since removing facial hair from your own face requires using a mirror this may increase the chances of burns occurring as you are working backwards to what is natural, making it more likely for mistakes to occur.
There is also an increased chance that someone using a home machine may be anxious to rid themselves of unwanted hair permanently and not give enough time between treatments which can also result in increased risk of damage such as burning or scarring.
Other Damage That May Result From Facial Hair Removal
Besides scarring, there is also other damage that may occur from facial hair removal. The most serious is eye damage. It is advised that when removing unwanted facial hair especially from near the eyes that a mask be worn by the person whose face is being treated. The light from the laser can damage the sensitive tissues of the eye so all precautions should be taken to avoid this from happening.
Discoloration around the hair follicles may also occur. While such discoloration is not dangerous it can result in embarrassment and may have the same effect as scarring on a persons self esteem, especially if the discolorations turns out to be permanent.
Ways To Minimize The Risks Of Facial Scarring And Other Damage
There are several ways in which you can minimize the risks of facial scarring and other damage during laser hair removal. Here are some things you should do before having laser treatments on your face.
* Only have laser facial hair removal done by an experienced technician. Even if you have a machine at home you use for other parts of your body leave your face in the hands of experts.
* Visit the place where you are planning on having the hair removal done in advance. During the visit the consultant should do a thorough assessment of your skin type and the color of the hair to be treated.
* Prior to the visit you should check with the Better Business Bureau and find out if there have been any complaints file against the hair removal clinic by people who suffered burns or other problems during laser removal.
* Ask outright what kind of training and what level of expertise the technician who will be working on you has. Ask specifically what training she has in facial hair removal and how many facial hair removals he/she has done.
* If you have never had a professional laser treatment before, consider having one on a less sensitive area of your body as professional laser machines are stronger than home machines and discoloration may occur. Knowing if you are likely to have skin discoloration before having facial laser treatments is important.
* Does the technician or consultant explain to you the risks of laser hair removal. Never have laser hair removal done in a place that assures you that there are no risks to worry about.
* Take the time to shop around at different laser hair removal places and compare. It is vital that you choose a place that you have confidence in, rather than going with the first place you try.
* If for any reason you feel uncomfortable with what you have been told, the technicians experience or the place itself, go somewhere else.
* Understand that no matter how trained the technician, how much experience they may have, the risks are there. If you are not willing to accept those risks then you should consider finding a different method of facial hair removal.
While laser facial hair removal is a safe way of ridding oneself of unwanted facial hair it is not without risk. While burning and scarring are rare occurrences they can happen as can skin discoloration. You need to carefully weigh the risks associated with laser hair removal against the potential benefits and reach a decision that is right for you and that you can live with should the unthinkable occur.