Does laser hair removal cause cancer?

Laser hair removal is the only method that can permanently get rid of unwanted hairs. For the procedure, a special device is used that generates a laser beam. The laser penetrates a few millimeters deep into the skin, where it acts on the hair follicles. Inside the follicle, the pigment melanin heats up and due to this, the medium that feeds the hair is destroyed, after which it simply falls out. The impact of the laser causes concern among potential customers. Will there be cancer? These fears are quite understandable, although there is a remote, but still effect on the body, namely on the skin. Therefore, we will consider the details of laser hair removal in order to give the right answer.

Laser cancer myth or reality?

There are many factors that can potentially increase the risk of cancer. For example, such factors include high-frequency ionizing radiation. You can find it in the clinic when passing an X-ray machine or a tomograph. It is these devices that emit x-rays and gamma rays. With laser hair removal, there is no such radiation. The laser does not apply to ionizing emitters. It is not capable of producing changes in the structure of DNA.

It is also not uncommon to hear the opinion that laser hair removal in the armpits is dangerous and can cause cancer. This is explained by the fact that lymph nodes are located in the armpits and any radiation can lead to negative consequences. This opinion is unsubstantiated. Lymph nodes are located throughout the body, the armpit area is no more vulnerable than any other. Therefore, underarm laser hair removal does not cause cancer. Moreover, according to research by the American Skin Cancer Foundation, devices equipped with a laser that is approved by the FDA, the US Department of Health and the EU are able to prevent skin cancer.

The strength of the laser pulse can only affect the hair follicles and does not penetrate into the deeper layers of the skin. The laser light is not able to penetrate deeper and affect the internal organs.

Some danger associated with the development of cancer during laser hair removal is noted only by the study of Dr. Gary Zhuang from the University of California at Los Angeles. But the essence of the problem is not about the procedure itself. So, according to Dr. Zhuang, laser hair removal produces smoke from burning hair. Smoke contains many substances that have the potential to contribute to the development of cancer if inhaled. Those. potentially carcinogenic substances are released.

In his opinion, the room where the procedure is performed should be equipped with good ventilation, because, first of all, the risk factor applies to a specialist who conducts more than one session per day. It is not known how dangerous smoke from hair is, because sometimes the air that we breathe while on the street contains much more hazardous substances and compounds.

As a conclusion: there is no evidence that laser hair removal causes cancer. On the contrary, it is the prevention of skin cancer. During the procedure, it is important that the cosmetologist be a professional and correctly master the technique of laser hair removal. You should also consider contraindications to this procedure. You should not be afraid of cancer, laser hair removal will not cause it.