Medical indications for laser hair removal

Laser hair removal is a procedure that is performed for a variety of reasons. Laser hair removal is most often chosen by people who want to enjoy smooth, non-irritated skin for longer, to save time and to reduce expenditure on hair removal methods that provide short-term results. Although laser hair reduction is popular mainly for aesthetic reasons, there are also medical indications for its performance, which we will discuss in today's post.

Amputees

Laser hair removal can significantly improve the quality of life for people who have experienced amputations. Amputee skin can be susceptible to all sorts of problems, and hair removal can make it easier to care for the skin, as well as to apply various dressings and medical instruments.

Removal of hair around the amputation area can significantly affect the comfort of those patients who wear prostheses. Patients often experience the discomfort of hair pulling or even plucking due to the friction that occurs when moving the limb with the prosthesis. In such cases, laser hair removal is recommended, not least because it eliminates the risk of side-effects associated with traditional hair removal methods, such as ingrown hairs, irritation or inflammation. If these occur on the area of skin that comes into contact with the prosthesis, they can cause great discomfort, pain and more serious complications such as hard-to-heal wounds or superinfections. Studies show a positive correlation between laser hair removal and the reduction or complete elimination of these complaints.

Folliculitis

Folliculitis is a condition characterised by yellowish pustules with a red border through which hair can break through. It can be caused by a number of causes, including bacterial and fungal infections and mechanical irritation of the skin, for example through frequent scratching. Folliculitis is very often associated with the use of waxing, depilatories and disposable razors. It affects both men and women of all ages and often reoccurs. The lesions, which resemble acne pimples, may be accompanied by itching and pain. The dermatosis flares up with each successive shave and is therefore not easy to treat. Laser hair removal eliminates the cause of the problem, which is the need to shave, and minimises the risk of the disease being caused by other factors, as the follicle is destroyed by the treatment and therefore cannot become infected.

Hair cyst

Dermatosis usually affects people between 20 and 40 years of age and is more common in men. The cyst takes the form of a fistula located under the skin and locates between the buttocks. The lesion develops around the hair follicles and hair may accumulate inside. The dermatosis causes discomfort, itching and pain and can lead to inflammation and even systemic symptoms such as fever and chills. Hair cyst is more common in people with sedentary lifestyles, dense hair and obese people. Laser hair removal is recommended not only for people who have experienced a hair cyst, but also for those who are in the risk group and would like to prevent the condition from occurring.

Acne inversa (hidradenitis suppurativa)

This is a chronic and recurrent inflammatory skin condition manifested by painful nodules, abscesses and fistulas, which are channels draining pus. In acne inversa, inflammation develops around the hair follicles in areas where sweat glands are abundant, such as the armpits, groin and buttocks. The lesions cause itching, burning, odour and pain, negatively affecting quality of life. The disease is systemic and affects the health of the entire body. Acne inversa is more common in women and the age of onset varies between 10 and 50 years of age. Laser hair removal can be an important step in the treatment of the disease, but it is worth remembering that it can only be performed when the disease is in remission.

Ingrown hairs

The problem of ingrown hairs affects both men and women who use traditional hair removal methods. As a result of regular plucking or shaving, some hairs, especially those on the legs, face and intimate areas, become so thin and weak that they cannot penetrate the skin. The hair begins to grow under the skin, causing redness, discomfort and inflammation, and the area around the hair follicle may take the form of a small nodule. In some cases, bacterial infections and folliculitis occur. Preventive methods such as exfoliation and moisturising the skin are often unsuccessful. Laser hair removal is one of the most effective ways of eliminating the problem, as it leads to the destruction of the hair follicle, which significantly reduces the regrowth of new hair.

Dermatological diseases and allergies

In people with various skin conditions (e.g. atopic dermatitis, psoriasis) or allergies, hair can aggravate the condition by irritating the skin, e.g. under the arms or in the groin. Hair removal alone with razors, depilatories and chemical creams can aggravate the symptoms of diseases causing dermatological complaints, so laser hair removal becomes an attractive alternative, eliminating the need for products that can cause irritation.

The above-mentioned problems are not all the reasons why patients opt for laser hair removal. It is worth remembering that, in addition to aesthetic reasons, laser hair removal can be motivated by medical indications - problems that significantly reduce quality of life, and hair removal can be a step towards significantly improving it. If you are among the group of patients for whom laser hair removal can improve quality of life, consult a cosmetologist or doctor to discuss the details of the treatment and its options.