Question:
I’m 19, female, and I have very light, sensitive skin. I’ve been thinking about getting laser hair removal for my legs and underarms, but I’m afraid of exposing my sensitive skin to harsh treatments. Is there a chance that the laser could burn me during hair removal?
Answer
Effective laser hair removal requires two things. A provider with experience in laser hair removal and good laser hair removal equipment. The lasers which are currently available for home use are usually not powerful enough to permanently destroy the hair follicle. The treatments take a long time and I am not certain of the results that have been obtained nor the safety profile of the various devices currently available. The lower the power of the laser, the lower the potential complications, but, I am certain that if the devices produce heat, burns and skin discoloration are possible.
Posted by Dr. Philip Schoenfeld