6 Laser Hair Removal Myths Debunked With Laser Training
Laser hair removal is one of the most in-demand beauty treatments and one of the top five nonsurgical cosmetic treatments performed in the United States. Since the FDA approved cosmetic laser technology for hair reduction back in 1998, millions of clients have turned to it every year to get rid of unwanted hair for good.
If you’re considering a career opportunity in medical aesthetics, chances are you have already heard some of the laser hair removal myths about this popular treatment. During a training course at National Laser Institute, you’ll learn how to safely administer laser hair removal — and debunk these myths along the way.
Laser Hair Removal Myths
We searched the Internet to bring you the top laser hair removal myths and facts:
Myth 1: Laser Hair Removal Is Unsafe
This may be the most talked-about laser hair removal myth of all. There’s a longstanding belief this popular treatment is unsafe, causing burns or skin damage. However the reality of it is, laser hair removal equipment must be FDA-approved before it is made available to consumers. The pulses of light energy used during treatment are designed to heat and destroy only the hair follicle, leaving the surrounding skin undamaged. When booking a treatment, clients should always confirm the clinic uses FDA-approved laser systems.
Myth 2: Results Are Instant
Body hair grows at different stages, which is why it takes multiple treatments to leave a client fuzz-free. As a laser tech, you will perform touch-ups on clients who have already had a treatment but may notice a new or overlooked growth. Most clients will need six to eight treatments spaced out over several weeks sessions spread out over several weeks or a couple of months. After the initial series, hair typically grows back much thinner or doesn’t grow back at all.
Myth 3: DIY Devices Work Just As Well
At-home laser devices may seem convenient and inexpensive, but they are nowhere near as thorough or effective as professional treatment. The laser mechanics, skin typing and technique taught during laser training can’t be replicated with a DIY kit.
Myth 4: It’s Too Painful
This myth may persist because early laser hair removal really was uncomfortable. Technology has come a long way and most clients today describe the sensation as a quick snap, like a rubber band lightly flicking the skin, and many med spas offer numbing cream to make it even more tolerable.
Myth 5: Not Everyone Is A Candidate
During laser training, you’ll learn to evaluate factors like Fitzpatrick skin type, sun tanning habits and exclusionary criteria such as medication contraindications before treating a client. Because the laser targets melanin (pigment) in the follicle, darker hair has traditionally seen better results than red, blonde or gray hair — though newer technology increasingly treats a wider range of skin tones and hair colors safely.
Myth 6: It’s Too Expensive
The upfront cost of laser hair removal can look steep next to a razor or a jar of wax, but that misses the bigger picture as shaving and waxing require constant effort and ongoing spending. Most clients find that laser hair removal delivers lasting results and is more cost-effective over time.
The Science Behind Laser Hair Removal
Understanding skin types.
Every laser technician learns the Fitzpatrick scale during certification. This is a system for classifying skin types 1 through 6 based on melanin level and sensitivity to sunlight. Understanding this scale is the single most crucial skill for providing safe treatment.
Understanding lasers.
LASER stands for Light Amplification by a Stimulated Emission of Radiation. Despite the word “radiation,” it’s a different animal entirely from x-rays or gamma rays. Every laser is built from four core components: the laser medium, optical cavity, power supply and delivery system.
Light and wavelength.
Light is composed of radiant energy made up of waves; the distance between wave crests determines wavelength, with shorter wavelengths carrying higher frequencies which is part of why different laser types suit different hair and skin combinations.
The treatment process.
Once the technician selects settings suited to the client’s Fitzpatrick skin type, the laser’s energy is absorbed by pigment in the follicle, converts to heat and damages the follicle to prevent regrowth without harming the surrounding skin.
The hair growth cycle.
Hair grows through three cycles: the first is Anagen (growth), second is Catagen (regression) and lastly is Telogen (dormant); and only hairs in the active Anagen phase respond to treatment. That is why sessions are spaced four to six weeks apart, catching each new wave of growth as it comes.
Laser Hair Removal Facts: Is It Good Or Bad?
With so many laser hair removal myths floating around, it helps to look at the plain facts; including the honest answer to whether laser hair removal is good or bad for clients.
The short answer: for most people, it’s a safe, well-researched, FDA-regulated treatment and not a risky one. Like any cosmetic procedure, it has both benefits and limitations, with the understanding both is part of what makes a well-trained laser technician valuable.
A few key facts about laser hair removal:
- FDA-approved since 1998, and still one of the top five nonsurgical cosmetic treatments performed in the U.S. every year.
- It targets pigment, not skin as the laser is drawn to melanin in the hair follicle, so properly performed treatments damage the follicle while leaving surrounding skin intact.
- It’s a reduction treatment, not always permanent removal. Most clients see dramatically thinner, sparser regrowth rather than a complete end to all hair which is why the industry calls it “laser hair reduction.”
- Side effects are usually mild and temporary with only slight redness or swelling, similar to a mild sunburn which typically fades within hours to a couple of days.
- It works best on darker hair and lighter-to-medium skin tones, though improving technology has made safe treatment possible for a broader range of skin tones and hair colors.
- Results depend heavily on the technician. The biggest factor in a good or bad experience isn’t the laser itself, it’s whether the person operating it was properly trained on skin typing, settings and safety.
- It saves money and time long-term, even though the upfront cost is higher than a razor or a jar of wax.
The bottom line is laser hair removal isn’t inherently “good” or “bad,” its safety and results come down to using FDA-approved equipment and working with a technician who has been properly trained to evaluate each client’s skin and hair before treating them. That’s exactly the kind of cosmetic laser training taught at National Laser Institute.
Questions You’ll Be Asked As A Laser Tech
What areas can be treated?
Virtually anywhere on the body. Women most often request the bikini line, underarms, upper lip, chin, neck and legs, while men most often request the abdomen, back and chest.
How long does an appointment take?
It really depends on area size. For example, the upper lip can be treated in five to ten minutes, while the back or legs can take up to an hour.
Do I need to be a medical professional to perform it?
In most states the answer is no as a high school diploma or GED is enough though.
Who Can Become A Laser Technician?
To perform cosmetic laser hair removal, you first need to become a certified cosmetic laser technician, generally requiring you to be at least 18 years old with a high school diploma or its equivalent. You don’t need to be an aesthetician first, and most attendees haven’t worked in the industry before enrolling; so there’s no need to worry about falling behind.
Laser Hair Removal Training At National Laser Institute
National Laser Institute has trained cosmetic laser technicians for over a decade, with students flying in from across the world for training that can be completed in just two weeks. Our Comprehensive Laser Course covers the most in-demand treatments (laser hair removal, IPL photofacial, skin rejuvenation, skin tightening, and more) through both classroom education and hands-on clinical training with real scheduled clients.
Here’s why so many students choose National Laser Institute for their laser hair removal training:
- Seasoned instructors: industry-leading professionals experienced in the latest techniques; you’ll learn from up to 13 different instructors throughout training.
- Hands-on experience: practice on real clients and watch demonstrations no more than a foot from the treatment bed, building genuine confidence as a new technician.
- Comprehensive curriculum: laser safety, biophysics, skin classification, energy and wavelengths, pre- and post-care, client consultation, and hands-on technique.
- Flexible training options: from an intensive short course to a more extended program, built around your schedule.
- Over 20,000 graduates
- Over 7,000 positive reviews
Graduates also gain access to our Graduate Services Department, sending hundreds of job leads each month, plus the largest online medical aesthetic library in the industry.
Don’t let myths hold you back from a career in cosmetic lasers. Learn more about National Laser Institute’s laser hair removal training — fill out our contact form or call 1-800-982-6817.
About the Author
Louis J. Silberman is the CEO and Co-Founder of National Laser Institute, the pioneer of the medical aesthetics training industry and the largest educator in the country. NLI also operates one of the busiest medical spas in the country, seeing up to 3,000 clients per month. Louis Silberman is also an entrepreneur who has been named Ernest and Young’s EY Entrepreneur of the Year Semifinalist.
