Is Home Laser Hair Removal
Safe for Sensitive Skin?
Laser hair removal at home is becoming quite popular, but women and men with sensitive skin should be aware of which devices might work best for their skin before making any purchases.
Why Use Home Laser Hair Removal?Many people who are looking for safe hair removal options may have tried salon laser treatments or electrolysis. These treatments can be very effective, and electrolysis is said to provide permanent hair loss, however they are quite expensive!
Not to mention they are very time consuming, both from the time required to make appointments and drive to a salon, and also because the treatments take a while and need to be repeated to be effective.
For this reason, more and more people are trying out laser hair removal at home and other hair removal options, as the results generally last longer than other hair removal methods like waxing.
Unfortunately MOST people are not aware of the risks involved in using laser hair removal at home, and so I'd like to share with you both sides of the story so you can make an informed choice about whether this kind of treatment is for you.
Regardless of the device used, there is always a risk of red skin, burned skin, and possibly even scarring or pigmentation of the skin if the device is used improperly.
Some of the more popular home laser hair removal devices now come with built in safety features, although I recommend always educating yourself FIRST before using anything like this on your sensitive skin!
Who Should Not Use Laser Hair Removal at Home
First, let me say that there are a number of different options out there for cosmetic hair removal, but when you have sensitive skin, your options are more limited. For example, using Nair or other popular hair removal lotions, also known as depilatories, may cause your skin to break out.
If you're like me (I break out in reaction to almost everything!) you want to find something that doesn't further irritate your sensitive skin, AND that actually works!!
Now, here's the bad news if you're looking into home laser hair removal...
It simply isn't for everyone. You need to check with your doctor before you use this type of treatment at home.
These devices work best for people with light or fair skin, who have black hair. The laser light is more quickly absorbed by people with tanned or darker skin, and so there is a risk of getting burns, or of the skin getting discolored.
Although newer technologies have limited this risk somewhat for in-office laser procedures, some home lasers will shut themselves off if you attempt to use them on darker skin.
Laser hair removal at home has been less successful for people with blonde, red or gray hair. There have been some new devices created specifically for people with this type of hair, but they have not proven to be all that effective.
There are even dyes that some people use to make their unwanted hair darker in order to use laser hair removal, however I don't recommend this approach. There are other options!
You should also NOT use laser hair removal at home if
- You have diabetes, lupus, a heart condition or other medical problems
- If you are pregnant
- If you've been treated for skin cancer
- You are taking certain medications like birth control pills, acne medications or anti-depressants
- You are taking certain vitamins or herbs like St. John's Wort
Now, please don't despair if you are reading this and realizing that you might not be a good candidate for home laser treatment. There are other options!
If you think you might be a good candidate for home laser hair removal, you need to know some of the possible side effects of this kind of treatment.
Possible Side Effects of Laser Hair Removal at Home
First, please do NOT use home laser hair removal on your eyebrows or near your eyes. This can be dangerous and cause infection or even blindness. That is the most serious possible side effect of using lasers for hair removal, however there are others you should know about such as:
- Burns
- Scarring for 6 months or more
- Dark spots - may go away
- Light spots - permanent
- Blistering
- Hair may grow in thicker
- Hair may regrow in patches
- Bacterial infections
- People with herpes may get an outbreak from the treatment
- Pain - yes, the treatment does hurt a little, like a rubber band snapping against your skin, but this usually subsides once the treatment is finished.
Some Popular Choices for Laser Hair Removal at Home
So what are people using for home use laser hair removal? I've looked into this and quite frankly, many home hair removal devices get very mixed reviews. The results seem to vary a great deal from person to person.
I've chose three of the home lasers that appear to provide the most effective results, although none of them will provide a perfect solution for every person.
These are three at-home hair removal devices that seem to be making a difference for women and men alike. Once again, please check with your doctor first before trying these for yourself.
No!No!(r) Hair Removal
No!No!(r) hair removal device is meant for at home use, and is not technically a laser device, as it uses a thermodynamic wire and heat, which causes the hair to release and fall out. The cost for No!No!(r) is about $250, making it the most affordable one on the at home laser market at present. It comes with 5 blades.
Benefits of No!No!(r)
- Reasonable cost
- Can be used on light or dark skin
- Great for all hair types and colors
- No noticeable pain and gentle on skin
- No skin irritation
Drawbacks of No!No!(r)
- Cannot be used on facial hair
- Burning smell when heat makes contact with hair
- Somewhat time consuming
What do customers say about No!No!(r)?
The general consensus about this at-home hair removal device is that it's gentle on the skin, is literally painless, and has pretty good results after using it 2-3 times per week for three months. It is said to work well for people with all skin colors and all hair colors. I had to choose, I would definitely try the NoNo Hair Removal Device first.
Silk'n(tm) Home Hair Removal
Silk'n(tm) is a product relatively new to the market but is quickly taking its place in the at-home hair removal market. It's different from other at home hair removal devices because it utilizes what is called IPL or intense pulsed light. Results vary, but the hair seems to disappear for two weeks or up to four weeks after a few treatments.
The earlier versions of Silk'n(tm) retailed for roughly $800, and had to be purchased through a physician. Newer models are less expensive, around $450, and are
available online for purchase. New light cartridges for the hand-held device are $75 each.
Benefits of Silk'n(tm)
- Easy and quick compared to other types
- Effective for removing darker color hair
- Relatively painless process
- Significant reduction in hair growth
- No charging necessary
Drawbacks of Silk'n(tm)
- Higher cost
- Lamp cartridges tend to burn out quickly
- Recommended for fair skinned people with dark hair growth
What have customers said about Silk'n(tm)?
Customers who have used this device are impressed with the results after two or so treatments. After about four treatments, the hair is still not returning, so maintaining those areas like underarms, legs, and the bikini line are much easier. As with all of these devices, some people especially those with thicker hair, say
Silkn doesn’t work for them.
TRIA - Laser Hair Removal at Home
TRIA is the first at home laser hair removal device on which the FDA has put their stamp of approval. The TRIA is different than Silk'n(tm) and other devices because it targets the melanin pigment in the hair follicle using an actual laser.
The most desirable results are achieved after about 6 to 8 months with regular treatments every 4 weeks or so. TRIA retails for $495 and comes complete with a charger. Laser hair removal at home results seem to last as little as a month and as long as two months.
Benefits of TRIA
- Built in safety device prevents use on darker skin
- Features three settings to help with the pain level
Drawbacks of TRIA
- Recommended only for lighter skinned people
- Cannot be used on many areas of the body
- Unsuccessful on red, white, blond or gray hair
- Must be fully charged prior to using
- A charge lasts for just a short time
- Stings and can be painful during u
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