According to the latest research, many women are unaware of the potential side effects and problems associated with laser hair removal treatments.

Women who are taking medications such as the contraceptive pill, who have heart problems or have diabetes should be very wary when considering having laser hair treatment as there is a higher risk of side effects. Anyone taking herbal remedies such as St. John’s Wort, those on acne medication, and those on anti-depressants should also take care when considering this form of hair removal. Women who have had skin cancer or who are pregnant are also advised not to have this treatment.

Laser hair removal involves firing a laser and intense pulsed light at the skin. This light is absorbed by the pigment in the hairs which heats them up and damages the hair follicle, stopping the hair from regrowing.

Despite the popularity of the treatment, many people seem unaware of the potential side effects such as burns, skin damage, blistering, scarring and skin pigmentation changes. Which? carried out a survey and discovered that the majority of women who have laser hair removal are not given adequate information by their clinics over the risks.

The questionnaire showed that around three percent of the British population had had laser hair removal treatment, and three quarters of those surveyed said they were unaware that having a tan whether natural or fake could make a different to the results of the laser hair removal treatment.