If you have read our previous article about laser hair removal and want to know more about the procedure and the pros and cons associated with the procedure, keep reading.

The Cons!

It is a long process: A session of laser hair removal on the upper lips takes less than a minute. However, it takes multiple sessions to see real results and you generally have to wait 4-6 weeks in between treatments. Different parts of the body have different growth rates and therefore could take longer or shorter depending on the area being treated.
You need to attend every session: You have to be consistent with treatments to get the best results.
The cost factor: Laser hair removal is costly.
Less effective in dark-skinned individuals: LHR works best on fair skin with dark hair because the contrast between the skin tone and the hair colour allows the laser to easily pick up the target areas. In patients with darker skin tones, the pigment-rich skin competes with the hair follicle for the laser energy absorption. Certain lasers, like the Nd:YAG, are better in such cases so discuss with your skin specialist about which laser is to be used in your case.
Epidermal Burns: If done by non-certified personnel, laser hair removal could leave burns or scars on the skin. Unfortunately, licensing procedures vary from state to state, and sometimes there are no requirements at all. Make sure that the procedure is being done by a dermatologist or under the supervision of a certified doctor.
There are a few risks: There is a risk of burning which was discussed above. some of the other risks include blistering, discolouration, redness, and scarring. There’s also the possibility that your hair could grow back and may require yearly treatments to keep new hair growth at bay.
Risk of pigmentation: There is a chance of increase or decreased pigmentation in the treated areas. To overcome this, you will need to apply a sunscreen with SPF30 regularly before and after the procedure is done, regularly.
Reduced effectiveness if there is hormonal imbalance: Sometimes, hirsutism (unwanted hairs growing in females) can be a result of PCOD or other hormonal imbalance. In that case, your doctor will investigate you for the same and suggest medicines depending on the condition. Sometimes, additional medicines are required to control these hormonal imbalances in addition to laser therapy or as an alternative to it.
Not available everywhere: Some of the skin care clinics may not be having the laser services due to high cost and upkeep of the machines.
COVID19 Era: While treating areas such as the upper lips, the mask has to be removed. Make sure that the clinic where you are taking the LHR services are using the national guidelines of COVID19 prevention in their laser room.

The Pros!

Best hair removal option: Yes, laser hair removal doesn’t get rid of hair forever (see the cons) but it does drastically reduce hair growth — to the point that you can stop shaving altogether and remains the most effective treatment for unwanted hair.
Can be done for any area: You can get it done anywhere on the body, and the machine can cover large areas quickly. You can target the face, neck, underarms, back, arms & legs, bikini line, stomach etc.
Excellent results: While laser hair removal can work on any body part, it is especially effective on the lips, chin, and underarm areas, especially if the hair is dark and the skin is fair.
It shouldn’t be painful: When it comes to pain level, laser hair removal falls somewhere between shaving (painless) and waxing (painful). The skin specialist will usually use a cooling system to numb the area before and after the laser treatment. It also gets progressively less painful as treatments continue and the hair becomes finer.
Precision – Lasers can selectively target dark, coarse hairs while leaving the surrounding skin undamaged.
Speed. Each pulse of the laser takes a fraction of a second and can treat many hairs at the same time. Small areas such as the upper lip can be treated in a few minutes.
Predictability. Most patients have great results after an average of 4-6 sessions.
Diode Laser: The diode laser is very effective for light and dark skin and it is the most commonly used laser for hair removal in our country.
Don’t worry if you’re on your period. Unlike getting a bikini wax, you should not cancel your treatment due to your period. It’s very important to stay consistent with treatments.
The cost factor: Yes, it was mentioned as a con. But if you see the cost of regularly buying razors and waxing, those costs also add up to pretty much the same amount. So in some situations, it can be considered as a “beauty investment”. At our skin care clinic, we are doing LHR at very affordable rates to make sure that the cost is not an issue.

Although laser hair removal is not without its fair share of cons, it is a very beneficial procedure to be done especially if it is being done by a certified dermatologist. Read more about the frequently asked questions related to LHR.