Are there Age Requirements for Laser Hair Removal?
Is my child too young for laser hair removal? According to doctors, this is a question they field regularly, and the answer seems to depend on the treating doctor and his or her specific policy. While laser hair removal is considered a safe and effective way to permanently remove unwanted body hair in adults, many doctors are very cautious about using the procedure on children and teens, for a variety of reasons. In this article we will take a closer look at some of those reasons, and let you decide for yourself if laser hair removal is a good idea for your child.
What Is Laser Hair Removal?
Laser hair removal is a revolutionary procedure in which an intense beam of light is passed over the problem area. The laser used in the procedure is so intense that it completely destroys the base of each hair and the hair follicle, so not only will the hair that is currently on that part of the body be destroyed, the damage to the hair follicle will prevent hair from growing in the future.
Compared to years of pricey shaving and waxing products, laser hair removal is relatively inexpensive, and because the procedure is virtually painless, with very little recovery time, laser hair removal has become a very popular option among adult women who want to permanently put an end to time-consuming shaving and painful waxing. The potential problem is this: As the popularity of laser hair removal treatment spreads, an increasing number of teens and children have also begun to show interest in laser hair removal, which has prompted many parents to consult their doctors about the possibility of having the treatment performed on their child. This has become quite a conundrum for doctors because, although there are no hazardous or dangerous risks involved in the treatment, there are some potential problems—problems we will discuss in detail below.
Laser Hair Removal: Problems in Treating Pre-Teens
Many doctors will not perform laser hair removal on children younger than thirteen years of age. There are several reasons for this, including:
- Risks. While laser hair removal is generally an immensely safe procedure, there are some risks that may be more troublesome for younger children, including burning of the skin and changes in skin pigmentation.
- Patience. Depending on the area of the body being treated, the laser hair removal process can be lengthy, which may make it difficult for younger children to endure the sessions.
- Discomfort. The discomfort during and after laser hair removal treatment is fairly mild, but it may not be well tolerated in very young children.
Laser Hair Removal: Problem in Treating Teens
In teens, laser hair removal is much less risky, and most teens are mature enough to be patient through the sessions and brave during the discomfort. However, there is a problem that parents should be aware of before going ahead with laser hair removal treatments.
The teenage years are a time of great change in the body—a period of puberty, and, of course, rapid hair growth. This can create problems because, while laser hair removal is a superior treatment for eliminating hair that is already present, it does not destroy hair that has yet to sprout. This means individuals in their teens may have to repeat the procedure many times during a year to get the desired results. Naturally, this circumstance can be very difficult for teens with a busy schedule, but it can also be financially challenging for parents, as laser hair removal is one of the more expensive methods for removing unwanted hair.
In summary, while most doctors will agree to treat (and retreat) teens with lasers, most of them recommended a less expensive hair removal method in the teen years, such as shaving and waxing, at least until puberty has run its course. This will ensure that a single laser hair removal treatment, applied to a specific problem area, will be sufficient to permanently remove the unwanted hair.
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