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Laser Hair Removal on 15-16 Year Old: Any Risks?

asked 1 year ago by GGgirl
Latest answer by Richard H. Tholen, MD, FACS
Question viewed 1,216 times
Tags: age 17 or under, arms, bikini line, female, armpit, results, risk

I'm 15yo turning 16 in a bit and I want to have laser hair removal on my bikini, armpit and arm area. My parents don't agree with me having this done because some of their friends have told them is no good for people under 40yo! Is this true? And what kind of risks can a 15yo run when having this treatment done? Thank you in advance!

8 answers to Laser Hair Removal on 15-16 Year Old: Any Risks?

+1

Laser hair removal is safe for all ages.

Although you need parental consent because you are still a minor, this should not be withheld because if the incorrect notion that it is "unsafe or ineffective for those under 40." What kind of friends gave them this baloney? If they simply don't want you to have it, they should tell you that (and perhaps why) and then you can at least have a discussion about it. But as far as safety, laser hair removal uses non-ionizing energy, so there is NO risk of skin cancer (tanning... more
Richard H. Tholen, MD, FACS

Minneapolis Plastic Surgeon
+1

Laser hair removal is done safely on teenagers with parental consent

The effectiveness and safety is equally good in patients 18 or younger comared with 40+ age group. If parental consent is given, then treatment may commence with the patient's consent as well. Risks of hyperpigmentation and scarring, which are rare, do exist and sun protection pre and post laser hair removal is a must. You must be mature and willing to be fully compliant with these instructions, regardless of age.
Ronald Shelton, MD

Manhattan Dermatologist
+1

Laser Hair Removal in teenagers

I agree with the other physicians.  We routinely treat teenagers, and they have the same concerns as all our other patients.  If your parents aren't happy with you having the treatment, three years may seem a long time away, but it will be here before you know it! Yoash Enzer, MD
Yoash R. Enzer, MD

Providence Oculoplastic Surgeon
+1

Laser Hair Removal for Teenagers

We routinely do Laser hair removal treatments on teenagers once we have parental consent. The risks of laser hair removal are the same for a teenager as for an adult. These risks iclude temporary or permanent hypo-pigmentation or hyper-pigmentation, blister formation, scar formation, ulceration, hive-like response, bruising, infection, acne flare, and folliculitis. These can occur even when optimal laser treatment parameters are used. You also need to be aware of the... more
Mitchell Schwartz, MD

South Burlington Dermatologic Surgeon

dorsetstreetdermatology.com

+1

Giving medical advice to persons under 18 years of age

Your parents are the ones making medical decisions for you prior to you 18th birthday, so no doctor will undertake treating you for anything that your parents will not want you to be treated for.  We are restricted by law from doing that. That being said, there is no age restriction on safety of laser procedures in general.  We do not perform laser procedures on pregnant or nursing women as we do not know the side effects.
Emily Altman, MD

Short Hills Dermatologic Surgeon
+1

Laser Hair Removal and Teens

Laser Hair Removal is fantastic for the removal of dark brown or black hairs on all skin types, as long as the procedure is doctor-supervised and using the right laser. Teenagers make great candidates when they have parental consent and stay out of the sun during the treatment schedule. One other very important consideration is to make sure that any young female candidates are hormonally stable. Laser hair is greater than 90% effective but is less effective with... more
Yael Halaas, MD

Manhattan Facial Plastic Surgeon
+1

Laser Hair Removal

The risk of laser hair removal in a 15-year old person is no different than the risk in  a 40-year old person.  There is risk of skin discoloration, which is in most cases temporary.  This risk is higher if one has a darker skin tone or is tanned.
Armen Vartany, MD

Los Angeles Plastic Surgeon
+1

Laser hair removal for teens

In our office, we routinely treat 15 year olds and up with laser hair removal.  There are a couple of cautions.  Laser hair removal is generally uncomfortable, and you need to be able to tolerate the procedure calmly.  It is also mandatory to protect from the sun, so do this during a time of year when you won't inadvertently get sun on the treated area 6 weeks before or after your procedure.   Because you are a minor, one of your parents would have to sign consent... more
Madeline Krauss, MD

Boston Dermatologic Surgeon

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