Laser Hair Removal For Teens: Everything You Need To Know – You Are Parent

Today, there is a great demand for laser hair removal among teenagers, for safe, long-lasting and effective hair removal. The choice of laser is the best option for reducing the amount of hair on the body in the long run. It is indeed one of the great sensitive subjects of youth.

Skin types according to Fitzpatrick

Skin phototypes were established based on an individual’s skin color and their tendency to burn or tan when exposed to sunlight.

• I – Pale white skin, blue / green eyes, blonde / red hair. It is a skin that always turns red, it does not tan.
• II – Fair skin, blue eyes. It burns easily, tans badly.
• III – Darker white skin, bronze after the initial burn.
• IV – Light brown skin. It burns very little, tans easily.

• V – Brown skin rarely burns, and also tans easily.
• VI – Brown or black skin. Never burns, always dark tans.

Preparations for the laser hair removal session

Once it has been decided to start laser hair removal treatment, any method of depilating the hair follicle should be avoided. In other words, in all the sessions you have to work on the same hair follicle by applying heat.

The ideal is to go to the sessions with clean skin, without applying creams, perfumes or any product that could interfere with the procedure.

It usually takes the age of 16 to perform this type of procedure. Or after the first menstrual period, so that the hormonal axis is already ripe.

Which laser to choose according to the type of skin?

There are several lasers that perform the function of hair removal. Here are some of them, according to their effectiveness on hair and skin:

• Ruby laser : more effective for fairer skin with dark hair (skin types I-III).
• Alexandrite : ideal for lighter hair (skin types I-III).
• Diode laser : less damage to the skin surface. It is safer on darker skin types (IV skin types).
• Nd-YAG : has lower absorption of melanin (skin types I-IV).

Tips after laser hair removal for adolescents

You should know that lasers can remove hair. However, the treatment does not provide a permanent response to hair regrowth. After treatment is complete, patients may need maintenance sessions once every 6 to 12 months, as some small hairs may grow back.

Laser treatments predispose the skin to greater sensitivity, making it vulnerable to external agents. Therefore, the American Academy of Dermatology recommends the use of a sunscreen greater than 50, with its renewal after 2 hours or directly avoiding ultraviolet rays.

Possible side effects

Common side effects of laser hair removal include erythema, burning, and pain after treatment. In addition, the most serious include:

• Blisters.
• Crust.
• Depigmentation.
• Healing.

Most complications can be avoided by taking proper precautions with setting fluence, spot size, wavelength, and using proper device cooling.

It is therefore important that the personnel who use it are trained and have a thorough knowledge of the techniques, complications or mechanisms of this type of practice.

Factors affecting the outcome

Several sessions are necessary to treat all the hair follicles at the correct stage of growth. In most cases , 4 to 6 sessions spaced 4 to 6 weeks apart are necessary.

1. The location of the hair  (the armpits and pubis are the areas that respond best).
2. The type of laser of choice.
3. The hormonal state, due to the high levels which stimulate hair growth.
4. The hair growth phase (it responds much better in the anagen phase).
5. Skin color and hair color ( fair skin and dark hair get the best results).
6. Treatment plan as well as the dependent operator.

Laser hair removal in adolescents and its effectiveness

Although laser treatment for hair removal has significant scientific evidence for its effectiveness, one of the big pillars to achieve effective results is the choice of the personnel who perform it.

Depending on each country, the personnel authorized to use the laser and perform this function will vary. Therefore, the corresponding certificates must be requested to ensure a properly executed procedure.