Laser hair treatment is one of the most popular means of hair removal employed nowadays. It had been tested for 20 years before it became commercially available in 1990s. It can also assure an incredible degree of safety to those who are considering it as an option, however, the side effects laser hair removal treatment can impose must also be considered thoroughly before one decides to avail.

Laser hair removal is a widely accepted and practiced procedure in removing unwanted body hairs. Many clinics and dermatologists offer this treatment after it was made commercially available in 1997. The principle behind this procedure is selective photothermolysis, wherein a specific wavelength of light is directed on a certain tissue in order to achieve optimal results with minimal damage to the area. Several machines, such as EpiLight, have been used in order to perform laser hair removal treatment.  Laser hair removal has been widely used due to its speed and efficiency in producing good results. Although it is most efficient with darker and coarser hair types, it is still popular in many areas such as the United States. Several procedures, such as laser beard removal, have been popular among men sue to the convenience it provides. Laser has also been used in other procedures such as laser vein surgery.

However, risks and potential side effects accompany the convenience and efficiency laser hair removal is packed with. Potential side effects of laser hair removal may include swelling, itchiness and redness accompanied with discomfort and pain. Blisters may also occur to those with darker skin colour. Some rare side effects may also occur, such as infection, burns, scanning, bleeding and scarring. Cases of purplish coloration on tanned areas and abnormal skin discoloration have also been reported. Common precautionary steps have been suggested to interested individuals, the most prominent of which is to consult a licensed and experienced dermatologist first before undergoing the procedure. Many private clinics who offer this service are not at all certified and this may lead to a greater level of exposure to the risks of laser hair removal.

Alternatives to laser hair removal have also been suggested by some professionals, an example of which is electrolysis. Electrolysis differs from laser hair removal on many counts. First, electrolysis is a procedure for permanent body hair removal while laser hair removal is generally considered to be a procedure for permanent body hair reduction. Electrolysis also applies to all skin types and hair colours, unlike laser hair removal which is more effective with brown or black hair. The risk factors for both are almost the same. The time element is also important in considering the perfect choice between the two, too, since electrolysis generally takes more time than laser hair removal. However, the final choice between electrolysis versus laser hair removal always depends on the individual himself.

Several procedures are now widely accepted in the medical communities in order to reduce or eliminate the growth of unwanted body hair. Several principles have also been employed in order to achieve the perfect and most efficient results. However, the most important factor to be considered before undergoing this kind of procedures is safety. The side effects of laser hair removal must be first reconsidered again and again before finally deciding. The importance of this decision not only lies on the aesthetic aspect of an individual, but also on health and safety since one of the worst bad results from the side effects is skin cancer. Nevertheless, the quest for beauty must never compromise the state of health of an individual.