Introduction

Let’s be honest, you’re here because you’re worried and scouring the web, searching: ‘can laser hair removal cause cancer’ or ‘does laser hair removal cause cancer’…right? Well, the quick answer should reassure you…Laser hair removal DOES NOT cause cancer and neither does it increase the risk of cancer. Reassured, at ease? Understand that hair removal utilizes specific light wavelengths that target the hair follicles without emitting harmful UV (ultraviolet) radiation, which is usually responsible for causing skin cancer risk. Now, we all know that laser hair removal is a massively sought-after cosmetic procedure which is designed to reduce unwanted hair by targeting hair follicles with laser energy. This procedure provides smooth skin that is free from hair but there are myths and concerns which are associated with it, especially when it comes to the risk of cancer.

What Is Laser Technology?

Laser technology has been studied in depth by some of the leading scientists and researchers over the las few decades, and the experts are of the opinion that this technology used for hair removal does not pose any risk of causing skin a this treatment doesn’t have any cancer-causing wavelengths of light found in ultraviolet rays. The FDA (U.S. Food and Drug Administration), one of the world’s leading institutions that has been working to promote and protect public health for over 100 years, has also approved this technology for general use, certifying it safe when performed by licensed and trained professionals.

Can Laser Hair Removal Cause Cancer?

In the modern world, a patient’s safety and health are prioritized over everything. Busy corporate professionals, often those who are quite conscious about their physical appearance and well-being, should be fully aware of the facts about how safe this aesthetic treatments is and that’s crucial. So whenever the thought ‘can laser hair removal cause cancer?’ pops into their minds, they should know that it is a treatment which operates within a spectrum of light that is non-ionizing and is considered safe for skin exposure by the leading experts. What it means is that it doesn’t break down chemical bonds nor does it cause mutations in your DNA, which are critical factors in the development of cancer. And that’s something we take seriously at Abu Dhabi Medical Center.

Still, there are many fears about the side effects of laser hair removal swarming. Now, keep in mind, temporary or minor side effects might plague the patient after the procedure, but other side effects are very rare. Anything other than that, like any fears or claims about links to your long-term health or if it can cause skin cancer, are baseless and unfounded.

Here’s what you need to know.

How Laser Hair Removal Destroys Hair Follicles…

In order to answer questions like ‘does laser hair removal cause cancer?’ we need to understand how laser hair removal destroys hair follicles to give you a smooth, hair-free skin. So, when the melanin in the hair follicles takes in the laser light, it begins to heat up, which thermally damages the targeted hair follicle. Now, this process is targeted and very precise as it only targets the hair follicle while leaving out the surrounding skin from any sort of damage. One thing that must be kept in mind is that the effectiveness of this method depends on the hair’s growth cycle at the time of the procedure, which might require multiple sessions to achieve the desired or best results.

Treatment Areas

The laser hair removal treatment is applied to any area of the body where people feel the unwanted hair is a constant source of irritation and makes them feel uncomfortable and conscious about their physical well-being. So let’s talk about some areas that are treated more frequently by patients…

Legs

An overwhelming majority want opt for laser hair removal for their legs so they may save some time to avoid the cuts in shaving or the pain in waxing.

Upper Lip

In women, the upper lips are a popular area where sometimes hair or whiskers can be noticeable.

Underarms

Laser treatment helps in eliminating the irritation and bumps that usually are a part and parcel from shaving.

Bikini Line

The best thing that laser treatment helps in is that it provides a long-term solution to grooming this highly sensitive area.

Back

This is perfect for those individuals who find hair at their back irritating or hard to manage or trim.

So, by targeting these areas on your body, the laser hair removal treatment assists people in getting a smoother, hair-free skin with a huge reduction for the need shave regularly or even wax on a regular basis, which quite frequently leads to skin irritation.

Safety and Side Effects

Irritation & Skin Redness

It’s quite common for patients to go through some sort of redness on skin or irritation after going through the laser hair removal treatment. Now, don’t worry as these symptoms are very mild and will go after a while. Yes, they’re not here for the long-term. So, don’t sweat if your skin may feel tender or seems slightly reddish. Dermatologists frequently apply a topical anesthetic before carrying out the hair removal procedure. This anesthetic reduces discomfort during the procedure, while in the aftermath of the treatment, cooling packs are often placed on the affected area to soothe the skin. These symptoms frequently go away after a few hours to a few days, depending on different individuals.

Changes in Pigmentation

Another common side effect in the aftermath of the laser hair removal procedure is the changes in pigmentation. And that largely depends on an individual’s skin type. So, after the procedure, a patient might see their treated skin area becoming mildly darker or lighter than usual. Patients with lighter skin might see darker spots, while on the other hand individuals with darker skin might notice lighter spots on their treated area. Again, no need to worry as these changes are temporary and are not a cause for concern.

Is Laser Hair Removal Procedure Safe During Pregnancy?

So, the laser hair removal treatment is usually considered a safe procedure, but there’s limited research on its effects during pregnancy. And due to hormonal changes that take place during pregnancy, women might experience an increase in growth of hair all over their bodies, which makes the laser hair removal treatment very attractive. But doctors and experts advise pregnant women not to opt for cosmetic laser treatments for as long as their pregnant as there isn’t enough research available which says otherwise.

Can Laser Hair Removal Cause Infertility or Damage Organs?

‘Is laser hair removal 100% safe?’, ‘Can laser affect fertility?’ That’s another myth or a baseless fear about the laser hair removal procedure that it can cause infertility. What you need to understand is that during the laser hair removal treatment, the lasers only affect the surface of the skin. So there’s no way that lasers or radiation from the procedure can’t penetrate to any of your organs. As one of the leading names in laser hair removal Abu Dhabi, we advise that you speak to your doctor about the potential risks if you’re currently trying to get pregnant.

Is It Bad To Laser Pubic Hair?

Look, laser hair removal treatment is considered the best procedure in reduction of the body hair growth. But patients often worry about it and think ‘Is it bad to laser pubic hair?’ or ‘Will I regret laser hair removal?’ The answer is a resounding YES! Yes, it’s safe to laser the pubic area for most patients. But keep in mind that the pubic region is one of the most sensitive areas as far as the human body is concerned, when it comes to laser hair removal treatment. But cosmetic surgeons and patients both say that it’s a quick and effective method. There are so many patients that are of the belief that the laser hair removal treatment is generally considered less painful than waxing. One plus point in undergoing the laser hair removal treatment procedure is that you can do it year round without having to worry about anything. Oh, and one more thing, since the pubic area is always covered, you have no need to worry about sun exposure which not only improves results, but also limits the risks of complications.

We hope this blog has been successful in dispelling all the myths or fears you may have had about the laser hair removal treatment. We hope we’ve addressed your queries like ‘does laser hair removal cause cancer’, ‘are there health risks to laser hair removal?’ or ‘who shouldn’t get laser hair removal?’ We just wanted to make you understand that the laser hair removal procedure uses highly advanced technology to target specific hair follicles that reduce the growth of hair over time. Be assured that it is a very safe treatment if done by licensed, trained and certified professionals, providing a very convenient solution, or an alternative to shaving and waxing hair that you don’t want, all over your body.