Are Laser Hair Removal Devices Safe?
Laser Hair Removal
Laser hair removal is a very popular cosmetic procedure. It has been growing in popularity in recent years due to its effectiveness and convenience compared to traditional methods of hair removal such as shaving, waxing, and plucking. It is a long-lasting and convenient solution to unwanted hair. According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, laser hair removal was the third most popular minimally-invasive cosmetic procedure in the United States in 2020, with over 1.5 million treatments performed.
In our office in NYC all laser hair removal is directly supervised by a Board Certified Dermatologist making treatments safe and effective.
Are Laser Hair Removal Procedures Safe?
Laser hair removal is a generally safe procedure most of the time for most people. However lasers are powerful devices that can really heat the skin and there is therefore a very real possibility of getting burned if the wrong settings or technique are used. As a specialized laser dermatology clinic we unfortunately consult on so many patients that have been burned at Laser Hair Removal centers either at-home or without a dermatologist was not present to monitor the treatments.
Before laser hair removal, schedule a consultation with the office to be sure that a qualified Board Certified physician will be present to assess your skin and hair and set the settings. Definitely make sure you do your research before going just anywhere. You can be at risk for burns and other things such as infections or herpes.
There are slightly higher concerns with safety with darker skin tones and darker areas of skin such as the Brazilian Bikini area. Laser hair removal devices target melanin, the pigment in our skin and hair. Settings must be selected that heat the melanin in the hair follicle but not the skin. This becomes more difficult in darker skin tones and unfortunately we treat many burns from laser hair removal clinics that burn the darker skin in the bikini area or darker skin tones.
Skin irritation is temporary discomfort and redness (and sometimes some swelling) after sessions. Typically any signs disappear within several hours to at most a day or two.
Laser Hair Removal at The Dermatology and Laser Group in New York City
When laser hair removal is performed in a setting where it is directly supervised by a Board Certified Dermatologist, as it is in our Manhattan office, it is a safe and effective treatment that is a superior alternative to other methods of hair removal.
Arash Akhavan, MD is founder and owner of The Dermatology and Laser Group, one of the top centers for cosmetic procedures in New York City for over a decade. Arash Akhavan, MD, FAAD is a Board Certified Dermatologist and an Associate Professor at The Mount Sinai School of Medicine. Dr. Akhavan is a Castle Connolly Top Doc, New York Magazine Best Doctor, and Super Doctor featured in The New York Times. Dr. Akhavan is a key opinion leader that has been featured on hundreds of media publications including The New York Times, Allure, Marie Claire, Women’s Health, Cosmopolitan, ABC News, Fox News, Fox 5, NY1, WPIX, and more. He has been featured on nationally syndicated television programs such as The Doctors.
Dr. Akhavan serves as an educator and lecturer for multiple aesthetic device and injectable companies. This allows his office access to newer technologies at an earlier date than other offices, as well as a higher level of expertise in the use of these devices. This, in turn, translates to more effective and safer treatments for our patients.
