Protective Eyewear During Laser Hair Removal Treatment

Brian Lett
By Brian Lett
10 Min Read

Using protective eyewear during laser hair removal treatment

Protective eyewear during laser hair removal treatment protects both the esthetician and patient from potential hazards, such as:

Eye shields that fit tightly against the periorbital area are commonly used for eye protection. Moldable to meet individual patient size requirements and transparent for patient visibility.

1. Eye Irritation

Laser hair removal treatments use medical-grade laser machines that emit energy in the form of light waves that absorb pigment found within hair follicles to cause them to gradually fall out and dissolve over time. While most procedures are quick and painless, there are some precautions you should keep in mind before and after going under the laser light.

Wearing protective eyewear during laser hair removal treatments is essential, as its light waves can irritate and damage your eyes. Only use certified safety glasses and goggles designed specifically for the type of laser being used during treatment.

Be sure to have your safety glasses or goggles fitted by an experienced optician and regularly cleaned to keep them in excellent condition. Proper storage of these essential safety tools is also key; to prolong their life and ensure they work optimally it’s best if they are placed out of direct sunlight and other sources of heat.

Your eye protection for laser hair removal treatment must not be removed or altered during a session, even if you experience burning sensations in the area being treated. In such an instance, it is crucial that you notify an aesthetician immediately as irritation could lead to serious side effects.

A 58-year-old woman underwent laser hair removal on both eyebrows with the Candela GentleLASE 755-nm system and reported experiencing pain, itching and photosensitivity immediately following her appointment. Topical steroids (Loprednol Etabonate 0.5% Ophthalmic Suspension four times daily) were prescribed; an optometrist determined her visual acuity as 20/20 in each eye and trace corneal surface epithelial Stippling was noted on each corneal surface epithelial Stippling seen after laser removal of laser hair removal treatment.

Your results from laser hair removal won’t last a lifetime, but with regular treatments you should experience long-term hair reduction and skin rejuvenation. To maintain these effects, moisturize daily while also limiting sun or tanning bed exposure.

2. Eye Damage

Unless properly shielded, laser beams can cause serious eye injuries that cause serious pain and even permanent vision loss. One common sign of laser-related eye injuries is sudden appearance of black spots known as floaters in your field of view; other symptoms could include burning sensation in eyes, watery eyeballs or redness in lids and conjunctiva.

Different kinds of protective eyewear exist to shield against laser and intense pulsed light (IPL) radiation, each designed specifically for each laser wavelength in use. Eyewear must fit tightly around your face while still permitting visible light through, so laser operators can see clearly while still being protected against eye damage. It is recommended to always use eyewear provided by the manufacturer of laser equipment as this provides adequate eye protection; generic safety glasses cannot offer the necessary safeguards against laser radiation.

Laser eye injuries are difficult to recover from, making it essential for anyone exposed to lasers to wear protective eyewear at all times. Any eye or facial protection device used at a laser treatment facility must also be regularly cleaned according to manufacturer instructions to avoid contamination, while it should also be tested by an LSO to make sure everything is working as intended and that safeguards are in place.

Eye and face protection devices should be stored in a clean, dry area where they won’t be damaged by bumping or high heat, and damaged items should be immediately replaced. Regular eye and face washes should be used to flush away contaminants while adding alcohol can add extra disinfection measures.

3. Retinal Irritation

Laser hair removal treatments are an invasive cosmetic procedure that use lasers to target and destroy hair follicles responsible for hair growth. While generally safe, this process may cause discomfort to eyes or skin which makes protective eyewear essential during all laser hair removal treatments.

Safety glasses and goggles can provide your eyes with added protection during laser hair removal treatments, thanks to their lenses tailored specifically for laser use and designed to filter laser light. Furthermore, these goggles also come equipped with side shields that shield large physical objects from coming into contact with them; additionally, you may purchase prescription safety glasses with bifocal lenses or any other desired prescription lenses.

Eye protection during laser hair removal treatments requires goggles with an Optical Density (OD) rating of 4 or greater at 755nm, since standard safety glasses do not provide enough protection from wavelengths used during treatments. Therefore, only use eyewear approved specifically for laser use.

Before your laser hair removal appointment, it is recommended to refrain from plucking, waxing and shaving the areas to be treated for at least six weeks prior to scheduling an appointment. Furthermore, hot baths or showers as well as chemicals which irritate skin should also be avoided, as this could hinder its effectiveness and compromise results.

Once you’re ready for laser hair removal, your technician will apply a cooling gel before targeting it with the laser. Depending on the size and location of your treatment area, you may experience a slight stinging or snapping sensation when the laser activates – you should expect 4-6 treatments for best results – they’ll help schedule them accordingly.

As a result of laser hair removal treatment, you should find that your hair grows less and is finer. While this treatment won’t fully remove all unwanted body hair or prevent future growth, it does provide a permanent solution for eliminating unwanted body hair.

4. Eye Injury

Eye injuries are among the leading causes of blindness in the United States, yet are among the easiest preventable injuries. Safety experts and medical practitioners estimate that approximately 90 percent of eye injuries could be prevented simply by wearing proper protective eyewear.

Eye injury prevention begins in the home, classroom and workplace. Wearing protective eyewear during home repairs, yard work and in the workshop is vital in protecting you against chemicals, dust particles, spraying debris and sparks. Furthermore, protective eyewear must also be worn while playing sports to shield them against flying objects or blunt force trauma to the eyes.

Employers should implement an eye protection program which requires workers to wear the appropriate protective eyewear when exposed to hazards like impacts, heat, chemicals, dust, glare or optical radiation.

Protective eyewear is necessary when it comes to laser hair removal treatment for both client and technician. Clients must wear goggles specified by their laser manufacturer that block out all laser light as well as visible light; and technicians should use similar goggles so as not to get caught in its beam reflected back from the laser device.

Laser hair removal aims to produce long-term benefits with minimum side effects. Patients typically need 4-6 treatments in order to experience maximum benefits. Follow the recommended protocol, such as avoiding direct sun exposure between treatments, to minimize accidental skin damage and maintain the integrity of treated skin. By following the recommendations for safe laser hair removal, both clients and technicians can experience optimal results from this popular aesthetic procedure. It is therefore imperative that only top quality protective eyewear be worn during treatment sessions. The American National Standards Institute (ANSI) advises every laser facility to appoint someone knowledgeable of the operation and safety protocols associated with their laser to oversee regular safety checks of equipment and associated protocols.

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