The long-term effects of laser therapy, including the potential for an increased risk of cancer, have not been studied. Some researchers have observed changes in atypical moles (dysplastic nevi) after laser hair removal. Therefore, they suggest caution in the use of cosmetic laser therapy for people with a personal or family history of skin cancer or atypical moles, until further investigations determine whether these changes may be malignant or not. Lasers used in laser hair removal produce a small amount of radiation.
However, this radiation is not thought to be harmful and there is no evidence that laser hair removal therapy causes skin cancer. Laser hair removal can be dangerous in inexperienced hands. Burns, permanent changes in skin color, and scarring can occur. You can greatly reduce the risk of potential side effects by having your treatment performed by a doctor who is extremely trained in the use of lasers and who has in-depth knowledge of the skin.
The AAD recommends that you choose a board-certified dermatologist to perform laser treatments. So far, no research has shown that light energy from hair removal lasers can cause cancer. But there are some risks involved, such as redness, scarring and discoloration in the treated area, Bowe said. There is no evidence to suggest that laser hair removal can cause cancer.
Because the laser uses light, you may wonder if it is capable of causing skin cancer. Skin cancers are linked to exposure to certain types of ultraviolet light. Exposure to UV rays comes from direct sunlight or other artificial light sources, such as sun loungers. This is a high-energy wavelength that can damage the genetic material inside cells.
If DNA is damaged and changes structure, skin cells can become cancerous. They concluded that CO2 laser resurfacing effectively eliminated photodamaged keratinocytes and encouraged re-epithelialization of stem cells located deeper in the epidermis. During laser hair removal, the laser emits a light that is absorbed by the pigment (melanin) in the hair. Although laser and IPL technology are not known to cause skin cancer, this does not mean that laser and IPL therapies have no long-term risks.
Home laser hair removal kits are available for people who want to remove unwanted hair without going to a dermatologist. However, before embarking on therapy, people should be aware of some side effects of laser hair removal, as well as some myths surrounding the process. People with blonde, reddish, or gray hair may not notice much change, as laser lights are attracted to dark hair and often don't succeed on light hair. Therefore, a contrast between hair color and skin, dark hair and fair skin, results in the best results.
As powerful as ionizing radiation is, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) states that laser energy in hair removal procedures uses non-ionizing radiation. The risk of skin damage is greatest when there is little contrast between hair and skin color, but advances in laser technology have made laser hair removal an option for people with darker skin. If you are interested in laser hair removal, choose a doctor who is certified in a specialty, such as dermatology or cosmetic surgery, and who has experience in laser hair removal for your skin type. If you decide to use a home laser hair removal device, follow the instructions that come with the device to help reduce the risk of injury, especially eye injury.
Nowadays, laser hair removal is a treatment option for patients who have light hair and fair skin and patients who have dark skin. As with other cosmetic methods of hair removal, damaging hair follicles with a laser can create a risk of infection. Lasers are specially designed to pass through skin cells and target only hair follicles deep in the skin. .
