Zapping 10 Laser Hair Removal Myths

Laser hair removal gets more and more popular every year—among both men and women. But as more people choose laser hair removal, more misinformation gets spread around the Internet.

Sometimes it’s hard to separate the fact from the fiction, so we’ve done it for you. Let’s take a look at a few laser hair removal myths, and why they’re so wrong.

1. Laser hair removal is dangerous.

The FDA has approved several types of lasers for laser hair removal. These designs have been proven safe for patient use and, when used by a professional, maximize results while minimizing risk.

However, some clinics may use cheaper lasers not yet approved by the FDA, so be sure to do your homework first and always choose a licensed professional.

2. Laser hair removal causes MORE hair to grow.

This myth is simply ridiculous, but it’s out there.

As we age, hair stops growing in some areas and starts growing in others. Laser hair removal works by targeting certain pigments in your hair follicles, which destroys the hair. But there’s no way a laser treatment can cause you to grow brand-new follicles.

If that were true, everyone looking for a cure to baldness would be signing up for laser hair removal treatments.

3. Laser hair removal works for all hair types.

Results will vary depending on your hair’s thickness, your skin type, and your hair color. The only way you can know for sure how laser hair removal will affect you is to consult with a doctor—everyone is different!

4. Laser hair removal won’t work if your hair is X color.

In the past, laser hair removal struggled with some hair colors—the lasers simply weren’t able to target certain pigments, leaving the hair ‘invisible’ to treatment.

Today’s modern lasers are designed to target almost every hair color, with a few exceptions. Red hair remains slightly more difficult to remove, and white/gray hair is impossible to target, because they lack pigmentation.

5. Laser hair removal exposes you to dangerous radiation.

Laser systems used in laser hair removal DO NOT emit radiation. All minor radiation is completely contained within the system, meaning you are never exposed to harmful levels.

6. One laser hair removal treatment will totally remove all of your undesired hair.

While you should see results after one treatment, the simple fact is that hair grows in cycles. That means it’s virtually impossible to target all of your hair in the desired area at the same time.

After 2 or 3 treatments, most (if not all) of the hair follicles in your target area will be zapped with the laser.

7. Laser hair removal won’t work if you have dark skin.

This myth comes from the fact that men and women with dark skin have more pigmentation, which absorbs more of the laser intended for your hair follicles.

But that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy laser hair removal if you have dark skin—you just might require a few more sessions to make sure ALL of your hair follicles receive treatment.

8. Lasers used in hair removal cause burns.

Burns rarely occur from laser hair removal, and even then they’re minor and temporary.

It’s important to discuss potential issues with your doctor, since everyone’s skin is different.

9. Laser hair removal is painful.

A vast majority of patients report that laser hair removal is much less painful than waxing. That discomfort may either be very minor, or somewhat more intense if you have very sensitive skin.

10. Any clinic can perform laser hair removal.

While laser hair removal is extremely popular and you can find a clinic just about anywhere, that doesn’t mean you’ll have the same experience everywhere you go.

Dr. Jones and his staff are well-trained in the latest laser hair removal advances and only use the safest FDA-approved systems to zap away unwanted hair.

As a board-certified plastic surgeon (and president of the Utah State Plastic Surgery Society), Dr. Jones’ Cascade Cosmetic Surgery Center and Medical Spa is one of your best options if you’re considering laser hair removal—with the best results and lowest risk.