Patients who undergo laser hair reduction on the tissues around the eye should always wear protective goggles to protect their eyes from any damage caused by the laser. This is because, according to a review of 21 case reports published in PubMed, patients have experienced various eye injuries, such as iris atrophy, cataracts, anterior uveitis, glaucoma, visual field defects, posterior synechiae, and pupillary defects. All of these injuries occurred immediately after laser treatment and were accompanied by severe eye pain, temporary loss of vision, and conjunctival erythema. It is essential for doctors and beauticians to provide adequate eye protection to patients when treating the face and ensure that such devices remain in the eyes throughout treatment. Standard safety glasses or glasses may not provide sufficient protection against the specific light wavelengths used in laser hair removal.
Therefore, it is important to wear glasses designed specifically for this purpose. The doctor may apply a topical anesthetic to the skin to reduce any discomfort during treatment. The risk of damaging the skin is greater when there is little contrast between hair and skin color, but advances in laser technology have made laser hair removal an option for people with darker skin. Laser hair removal is most effective for people with fair skin and dark hair, but it can be used successfully on all skin types. If you have a skin reaction right after laser hair removal, your doctor may apply a steroid cream to the affected area.
Alexandrite lasers emit light in the wavelength range of 730-855 nm, while diode lasers emit light in the 800-810 nm range. Be wary of spas, beauty salons, or other facilities that allow non-medical personnel to perform laser hair removal. The Food and Drug Administration considers these laser hair removal devices for home use to be cosmetic, not medical, which means that they do not undergo the same level of scrutiny as other medical devices. While laser hair removal effectively slows hair growth for extended periods of time, it doesn't usually result in permanent hair removal. Laser hair removal is not recommended for eyelids, eyebrows, or surrounding areas due to the possibility of serious eye damage.
If you decide to use a home laser hair removal device, follow the instructions that come with the device to help reduce the risk of injury, especially eye injury. A study has shown that injuries caused by laser hair removal of the periocular areas are one of the most common causes of litigation in skin laser surgery. Several laser hair removal treatments are needed for initial hair removal, and maintenance treatments may also be needed. When choosing laser safety glasses for laser hair removal, it's critical to select the correct type for the specific laser being used.
