Can I Still Get Laser Hair Removal on my Leg? I Have a Metal Plate and Screws in my Ankle.

asked 9 months ago by KirstyUK in united kingdom
Latest answer by Mitchell Schwartz, MD
Question viewed 288 times
Tags: legs, candidate, metal, screws

I have a metal plate and screws in my ankle after breaking it a few years ago. Can I still get laser hair removal of some sort on my leg? None of the beauty therapists I ask know, so they won't do it do be safe. I was wondering if it might be ok though, since the laser works by being attracted to the dark color of the hair.

6 answers to Can I Still Get Laser Hair Removal on my Leg? I Have a Metal Plate and Screws in my Ankle.

Hair Removal with metal in body is ok

The hair removal laser will target the hair follicles. It won't penetrate deep enough to affect or cause pain or problems with any metal in your body, like legs, arms, or even metal plates in chest. You are good to go!

F. Victor Rueckl, MD
Las Vegas Dermatologist

www.lakesdermatology.com

Laser hair removal with metal plates and screws

Lasers create a beam of highly concentrated light that penetrates deep into the skin where it delivers a controlled amount of therapeutic heat. This light energy is absorbed by the pigment located in the hair follicles. The laser pulses for a fraction of a second, just long enough to destroy numerous follicles at a time and leaves the surrounding skin unaffected. Metal orthopedic devices are located much deeper, below the skin, and will definitely not be affected by the laser. I would also... more

Mitchell Schwartz, MD
South Burlington Dermatologic Surgeon

dorsetstreetdermatology.com

Laser hair removal is an excellent option for permanent hair removal

The good thing about laser hair removal is that it is a safe, reliable treatment that does not go beyond the skin and so can be done even in those with pins and metal in their body. The area to be treated should be shaved ahead of time and the treatment works best on those with darker hair and lighter skin. You should not have a suntan at the time of treatment. Treatment should be done by a trained aesthetic physician or directly under their supervision.

Doris Day, MD
New York Dermatologic Surgeon

Broken leg won't stop laser hair removal

THe hardware from your broken leg repair won't interfere with laser hair removal. The laser energy targets the hair follicle and won't go deep enought to even affect the plate and screws in your bone.

Daryl K. Hoffman, MD
Los Gatos Plastic Surgeon

Hardware and Hair removal

You are exactly right that the laser is targeting the pigment in the hair follicle. You will be able to start laser hair removal with no problem.

Harold J. Kaplan, MD
Los Angeles Facial Plastic Surgeon

Laser Hair Removal and metal in legs

Getting laser hair removal will not be an issue. The laser targets the hair follicle and doesn't go deep enough to interfere with the metal in your legs.

Jeffrey Hartog, MD
Orlando Plastic Surgeon

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