If you’re looking into getting laser hair removal, you might be wondering if it can cause infertility. After all, removing hair with a laser sounds like something that would have a lot of impact on your reproductive system.
But don’t worry—the good news is that there’s no evidence that laser hair removal causes infertility. In fact, according to the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM), “There is no evidence for an association between female pattern hair loss and female infertility.”
In this post, we’ll answer all those questions like side effects of laser hair removal on bikini area and is laser hair removal safe.
Can Laser Hair Removal Cause Infertility
Laser hair removal is popular with people wanting a solution to hair removal that is more permanent than some other methods. Using lasers to remove hair works by stopping the hair follicles from growing new hairs.
Before embarking on the therapy, however, people should make themselves aware of some side effects of laser hair removal, as well as some myths that surround the process.
For most people, laser hair removal is a safe way to get rid of hair in unwanted places permanently or for long periods of time.
Side effects
A few different side effects can appear after laser hair removal. Most side effects are minor and temporary. Anyone experiencing lasting side effects should consult their dermatologist.
Redness and irritation
Laser hair removal damages the follicles of the targeted hairs. The body reacts to this, and many people experience redness and irritation in the affected areas. The skin may tingle or feel tender, and may even appear to swell slightly.
The symptoms are usually short-lived. The affected area may look similar to skin that has just been waxed or plucked. Some dermatologists use a topical anesthetic to reduce how much a person’s skin reacts to the process.
Irritation should ease after the initial reaction, usually within a few hours of the treatment. Swelling and redness may respond well to ice packs or a cool bath.
Crusting
Some people may experience skin crusting in the affected area. This is typically a minor issue but can be inconvenient.
Crusting can sometimes lead to scabbing or scarring. By taking care of the treated area after laser removal, such as by using a moisturizer, a person may prevent any lasting issues from this treatment.
Changes in skin color
Some people may notice minor color changes to the treated area of skin. It may get slightly darker or lighter, following laser hair removal.
People with lighter skin may be more likely to experience darker pigmentation changes. People with darker skin tones may be more prone to lighter pigmentation changes. These changes tend to fade away over time, and the skin returns to normal.
Eye injury
The hair removal procedure involves the use of powerful lasers. This means there is a risk of potentially serious eye injury, especially when a practitioner is working on a person’s face.
Both the person receiving the treatment and the practitioner should wear protective eye equipment to help prevent injury while the procedure is carried out.
Risk of skin infection
As with other cosmetic hair removal methods, damaging hair follicles with a laser can create an infection risk.
The affected area should be treated as a wound while it heals. People should report any signs of infection to a dermatologist.
Finally, they should not apply over-the-counter (OTC) antibiotic creams to large areas of skin if an infection arises.
Laser Hair Removal Side Effects
Less common side effects following laser hair removal can include the following:
Burns and blisters
There is a risk of burns and blisters if laser hair removal is not done correctly.
When a qualified practitioner carries out the process, however, burns and blisters are rare.
Laser hair removal uses high-heat lasers.
A practitioner may apply a cooling device to a person’s skin just before the laser is used. This helps to prevent the laser from burning the skin.
Scars
Scars are typically not a side effect of laser hair removal. However, if the practitioner makes an error, scarring can occur. This should not be an issue with most qualified practitioners.
Scars may also form if people do not care for the treated area correctly afterward.
They should treat the affected skin as if it had been sunburned to avoid further damage. This means keeping it moisturized, protected from light, and checked regularly for signs of infection.
Is laser hair removal safe?
The majority of people who use it find that laser hair removal is safe and well-tolerated. There do not appear to be any long-term health risks associated with the procedure.
However, some people may experience minor side effects after laser hair removal. People should ask their dermatologist to test how a small patch of skin reacts to the treatment before having it done on a larger area of skin.
People wishing to have laser hair removal treatment should always use a fully-qualified practitioner.
Is laser hair removal painful?
For a couple of days after treatment, the affected skin may become red and tender. Many people describe the sensation as similar to a sunburn. The process itself, however, is typically not painful.
Does it work?
Laser hair removal therapy does work, but it rarely achieved permanent hair removal. Laser treatment can significantly reduce hair growth, nevertheless.
After the first treatment, many people will only be hair-free for a few months. The hairs will eventually grow back, though they are often finer, lighter, and less likely to be noticed than before.
Many people will require multiple sessions to achieve a more permanent or satisfactory solution to unwanted hair. The hair may grow back lighter and thinner with each subsequent session. After enough treatments, it may stop growing back altogether.
Laser hair removal may also be more effective on dark hair. People with blond, reddish, or grey hairs may not notice much of a change, as laser lights are attracted to dark hair and are often not successful on light hair.
Laser hair removal during pregnancy
Experts do not recommend laser hair removal for people who are pregnant. This is because scientists have not carried out any human studies that prove the safety of laser hair removal during pregnancy.
Pregnancy causes hormonal changes in a person’s body. This can commonly cause extra hairs to grow in unwanted places. While this growth can be embarrassing, the hairs often go away on their own.
If the hairs do not go away unaided, a person may want to try laser treatment after their pregnancy. Doctors may ask them to wait a few weeks after giving birth before they have the treatment.
Myths about laser hair removal
There are several unfounded myths surrounding laser hair removal:
Laser hair removal causes cancer
The myth that laser hair removal therapy can cause cancer is unfounded. The lasers are specially designed to pass through the skin cells and target only the hair follicles deep within the skin.
The lasers used in laser hair removal do 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 causes infertility
Again, there is no evidence that laser hair removal causes infertility. The lasers only penetrate the skin and do not reach or affect any other organs. Laser hair removal is usually safe, even in sensitive areas such as the groin.
Home kits are just as good as seeing a dermatologist
Home laser removal kits are available for people who want to remove unwanted hairs without going to a dermatologist.
Many people may experience modest results from using these kits, such as lighter or finer hairs. However, home kits are not the same as the powerful medical devices used by qualified practitioners.
When to See a Doctor
Anyone experiencing adverse reactions to laser hair removal should consider seeing their doctor. They can usually manage symptoms such as redness and swelling at home, but they should always report signs of skin infections to a doctor or dermatologist
Reporting symptoms early allows for quick treatment and may help prevent any permanent changes.
Anyone trying to become pregnant should speak to their doctor before getting laser hair removal. A doctor can advise on other options, as laser hair removal often requires multiple sessions that should not be undertaken during pregnancy.
Outlook
Laser hair removal is safe and effective for most people when performed correctly. It may take multiple treatments to remove unwanted hair completely, and permanent hair removal is not always guaranteed.
Some people may experience minor side effects after treatment, such as redness, swelling, and irritation and can usually treat these at home. Anyone who notices the signs of a skin infection should see a doctor.
Side Effects of Laser Hair Removal On Bikini Area
Laser hair removal has varying effects on different people. A few users have reported negligible side effects. In the first few hours following a treatment, it is normal for the skin to swell or turn red.
Even when performed on the bikini line, laser hair removal poses minimal risk.
- Mild skin irritation that may result in temporary blistering or crusting
- some blushing
Temporary changes in skin color, more so for people of darker complexions.
Mild localized swelling at the site of treatment
Fifth, the feeling is often compared to a rubber band snapping against the skin when getting laser hair removal.
Sixth, because they can enter the bloodstream, they can cause life-threatening side effects like irregular heartbeat and slowed breathing.
Scarring, keloid scarring, and skin discoloration are some of the potential side effects of electrolysis, while laser hair removal has been linked to burns, scarring, and acne-like breakouts in the treated area.
Is Laser Hair Removal Safe
For the vast majority of people, laser hair removal is a safe and permanent solution. When it comes to your health, only a trained professional should perform this procedure.
When using a laser to get rid of hair, are there any negative consequences?
A few of the potential laser hair removal side effects are:
- Blisters.
- Burns.
- Flare-ups of the herpes virus.
- Hyperpigmentation refers to spots on the skin that are noticeably darker than the surrounding skin.
- Areas of skin that are lighter than the rest of the skin are called hypopigmentation.
- Infections.
- Scars.
How advantageous is it to remove hair with a laser?
Laser hair removal is more permanent than other methods such as shaving, waxing, tweezing, and plucking.
In contrast to electrolysis, laser hair removal has gained some fans. In electrolysis, a thin wire is used to deliver an electric current directly to the hair follicle, killing it in its tracks. Laser hair removal has several advantages over electrolysis, including:
- A reduction in the number of required treatments.
- Having less pain while being treated is a huge plus.
- There are fewer instances of painful ingrown hairs.
