1. Myth: Lasers expose you to radiation.
Truth: Lasers are safe since they use light and not harmful ionising radiation. In fact, normal sunlight contains more radiation that triggers cancer than most modern medical lasers.
2. Myth: Lasers are harmful to health.
Truth: Laser light penetrates only 1-4 mm into the skin. That is why during laser hair removal procedures only superficial hair roots are destroyed since light cannot reach even till the deeper hair roots. And therefore, certainly, cannot reach or affect any deeper organ in the body.
3. Myth: Lasers can cause burns.
Truth: All modern lasers use the theory of selective photo-thermolysis formulated at the famous Harvard medical school. This basically means that laser light acts likes magic bullets and specifically searches and destroys only the intended target. Thus, for example, lasers using green light will be absorbed only by the red colour in blood vessels. Abnormal blood vessels in birth marks, in broken veins or even within the eyes in diabetics can thus be removed very safely. Just like with any other technology, side effects can happen but chances of burns are minimal with good machines in expert hands.
4. Myth: Laser hair reduction hurts.
Truth: With proper use of scientific methods, during treatments, there is only a feeling of a bit of warmth or of a pin prick sensations. A very occasional patient, especially for sensitive areas like bikini or underarm areas, requires the use of topical anaesthetic cream before treatment.
5. Myth: Lasers cause thinning of the skin.
Truth: Lasers actually causes thickening of skin after treatments. Skin is living tissue and the controlled gentle heating in the dermis due to laser treatment induces new collagen and elastin formation, replacing the older damaged tissue. That is why lasers have a rejuvenating effect, reducing wrinkles and causing the skin to become plumper. Of course, your laser physician should have a thorough knowledge of laser physics to achieve the desired results.
6. Myth: Lasers are expensive.
Truth: In the long run, it costs more to use razors, waxing, foams, etc. To keep your skin smoothing traditional hair removal methods. Moreover, these methods need to continue lifelong and are tedious and painful. In contrast, with just a few painless sessions over a few months, permanent hair reduction can be achieved with lasers.
7. Myth: Lasers are unnecessary
Truth: There are many medical problems for which lasers are indispensable. There are no medications or creams which can permanently remove unwanted hair, remove scars, birthmarks, tattoos, varicose veins, port-wine stains. Laser technology is similarly indispensable for many other internal medical conditions.
8. Myth: Lasers cause cancers.
Truth: Lasers are actually used to remove skin and other cancers. Laser light does not contain wavelengths which trigger cancers.
9. Myth: Stopping laser treatment can cause skin to deteriorate.
Truth: Lasers actually cause skin rejuvenation. By aligning and tightening tissue they make the skin appear younger. Of course, the ageing process will continue each year. That is why even after a few sessions, some persons opt for long-term regular maintenance treatment to keep the skin youthful.
10. Myth: All laser treatments are the same.
Truth: No two lasers machines are exactly the same. Also, no two lasers experts are exactly the same. For optimal results, the laser machines have to be reliable. More importantly, your dermatologist should not only have in-depth knowledge of human skin but also needs to have special expertise and sound knowledge of lasers physics.