Laser Hair Removal for Vellus Hair – Advantages and Risks

Vellus hair is often mistaken as lanugo hair, but the two are actually different from each other. The two are basically the same size but lanugo often comes first only to be replaced by vellus hair later on. Visually speaking, they are short and downy with no medulla to speak of. They’re also not pigmented and ordinarily ignored since they’re not really easily traceable.

However, due to the tendency of vellus hair to show up in areas that ordinarily do not have hair (eyelis, bald scalp, forehead), it isn’t surprising that some people attempt to have them removed. There are actually many accepted ways on how this is done nowadays starting from the topical methods to laser treatment.

Laser Hair Removal for Vellus Hair

Vellus hair is most effectively removed using laser treatment or electrolysis. In fact, laser and electrolysis for vellus hair are the only two permanent ways to get rid of any hair type today. It works by affecting the very core of hair growth, therefore permanently stopping the furtherance of vellus hair. It is interesting to note that during the early years of laser hair treatment, the FDA sectioned that laser hair devices may not be promoted as either “painless” or “permanent”. Nowadays however, the introduction of better technology has paved the way for a permanent solution through electrolysis for vellus hair.

Does it Really Work?

Laser hair removal has been proven time and again as an effective way to permanently remove body hair – including the vellus type. The treatment works by passing through the outer layer and damaging the hair roots. With the roots gone, the hair would be unable to grow, therefore making sure that no further emergence of vellus hair will be seen. Originally, this type of hair treatment is targeted only for people with dark hair since the laser targets the pigments of the skin specifically. Since vellus hair tends to be light and downy, dermatologists weren’t really keen on using them before. With the recent advancements in skin technology however, laser hair treatment become more vellus-hair friendly. Nowadays, it isn’t a problem for people with different skin tones and hair types to undergo laser hair removal.

What are the Risks?

Laser hair removal for vellus hair is not without risks. Some of the most common side effects include a change in skin tone and even skin burns on the processed area. Temporary skin discomfort is also common, especially if you have extra sensitive skin. Women who have undergone vellus laser hair removal may complain about red blisters on their skin resulting from the treatment. It’s also not a one-time process, requiring you to undergo several sessions in order to permanently remove the vellus hair. This shouldn’t stop anyone though – a good way to minimize the risks is by carefully choosing the doctor that will perform the treatment.