Unwanted hair is a common complaint in skin care. Both women and men experience unwanted hair on some part of their body at one time or another. There are several choices you have to remove this hair and, while they are safe, they each carry their own set of risks. Knowing what these risks are can help you make an informed and intelligent decision on which type of hair removal method is right for you.

Temporary Hair Removal Dangers
Tweezing and shaving pose a very low chance for injury. You can break the skin with both tweezers and razors, and if you have a suppressed immune system or diabetes, you may be at a greater risk of infection. If you do break the skin, use a gentle cleanser and apply an antibiotic ointment to the area to prevent infection. Seek medical help if you experience redness, swelling, or a fever or notice red lines coming from the wound. These are signs of an infection that needs medical care and possibly oral antibiotics.

Depilatories work by breaking down the hair shaft so that the hair can be wiped or rinsed away. The main dangers from depilatories are allergic skin reactions and inflammation. To avoid a reaction, you should test a small area 24 hours before you plan on using the depilatory on a large area of your skin. Do not use it if you experience any redness, swelling, or rash on the test area. If you experience any swelling of the tongue, face, or throat, seek immediate medical attention because these are symptoms of a life threatening allergic reaction.

Waxing is an easy and quick way to remove unwanted hair. It is one of the most popular temporary hair removal processes. With continued waxing, hair grows in thinner and sparser since some roots are removed each time you wax. Waxing can pose a danger to your skin if your skin is sensitive because of medication, pregnancy, and certain chronic conditions such as diabetes. If your skin is sensitive, waxing may removes more than just hair. It may remove skin and cause scabs and open wounds. People with reduced immune function or diabetics are put at a greater risk for infection from injuries caused by improper waxing techniques. Since hot wax is used, there is also a danger of burns and blisters. Your technician should check the temperature of the wax on their wrist before it is applied to your skin.

Permanent Hair Removal Dangers
Permanent hair removal methods include electrolysis and laser hair removal. Electrolysis uses a thin wire inserted into the hair follicle through which a small electric charge is passed to kill the hair root and prevent it from growing back. It can also entail the use of small tweezers that grasp the hair – a small electric charge is passed through the tweezers and travels down the hair to kill the root. Both methods are very effective for hair removal and are considered by the FDA and some skin care professionals to be the only true permanent hair removal methods. Electric shock is very rare in electrolysis, but it is still a possibility. To avoid this, only go to technicians who are fully trained and certified in electrolysis. Infection is a danger from the use of unsanitary equipment and unsanitary salon practices. A trained technician will also reduce the chance of scars and pitting of the skin. A darkening of the skin is also an unwanted side effect of electrolysis. Individuals with dark skin are most susceptible to a change in skin color.

Laser hair removal is also another quick and painless way to remove unwanted hair. It is a relatively safe procedure that results in permanent hair removal after several treatments. One of the greatest risks is burn from the absorption of the laser energy by the skin and hair follicles. People who have dark skin are at greater risk because their skin may absorb more of the laser energy than fair skinned clients. Minor side effects that will go away in a few hours, or by the next day, include tenderness, redness, and swelling.

All hair removal methods pose their own set of risks. Talk to your doctor or skin care specialist to determine which method is best for your type of hair and skin. Always inquire about a salon’s or clinic’s sanitation methods and certification. If you have any doubts, you may want to find another method or salon to perform your hair removal services.