Laser hair removal is a popular option for those seeking a permanent solution to unwanted hair, offering the convenience of smooth, hair-free skin without the constant hassle of razors, waxing strips and hair removal creams.
Beyond its obvious cosmetic benefits, here are 6 lesser-known benefits of laser hair removal you may not have heard about.
1. Prevents Ingrown Hair
Shaving, tweezing or waxing can sometimes result in ingrown hairs, which occur when hair regrows at an angle that curves beneath the skin’s surface rather than outward. This often leads to burns, pain and swelling. Those with thick, coarse or curly hair are particularly prone to ingrown hairs, and can benefit from laser hair removal, which destroys hair follicles to prevent regrowth, offering a long-term solution to ingrown hairs.
2. Reduces Post Inflammatory Hyperpigmentation (PIH) Risks
Repeated skin friction from shaving or trauma to the skin from waxing and tweezing can cause skin irritation and inflammation, leading to post inflammatory hyperpigmentation (darkening of skin) over time. Laser hair removal offers a safer and more effective way to remove hair while reducing PIH risks.
3. Reduces Acne Breakouts
While laser hair removal is not designed to treat acne, males with acne breakouts in the beard or jawline areas can benefit from reduced ‘beard acne’ by reducing hair which can trap dead skin cells and oil that exacerbate acne.
4. Reduces Skin Irritation
Pseudofolliculitis barbae (also known as razor bumps) is an inflammatory condition that affects primarily men but also women. This presents as inflammatory papules and pustules that result in discomfort. If you suffer from frequent skin irritation, such as razor bumps or razor burns (red irritated skin patches) after shaving, laser hair removal is an option that can save you from the distress of shaving related skin problems and decrease its severity by reducing the number and thickness of hair shafts.
5. Helps with Body Odour
Laser hair removal is an effective method for clearing unwanted hair. For those who are prone to sweating, studies have also shown that laser hair removal can help with preventing body odour, with over 60% of those who had laser hair removal in the axillary (underarm) region reporting improvement to their body odour. When hair is removed, less sweat gets trapped against the skin, reducing odour-causing bacteria.
6. Improves Keratosis Pilaris
Keratosis Pilaris, colloquially known as ‘chicken skin’ appears when hair follicles become blocked with keratin buildup, causing rough bumpy skin. For those suffering from keratosis pilaris, shaving or waxing can exacerbate the condition and cause more bumps. Long pulsed Nd-YAG lasers can remove hair in without causing a flare up and have shown in studies to improve keratosis pilaris.
Ready to reap the benefits of laser hair removal? Learn more about our laser hair removal treatment at Veritas, catered to all skin tones and areas.
