Laser Hair Removal Treatment Can Cause Cancer, Experts Claim

Many people nowadays choose the more advanced way of removing hairs in certain parts of their body, and laser hair removal treatments is one of the most popular methods there is. However, even though many think that the treatment may be worth its price, it turns out that being hairless comes with certain health risks.

Hindustan Times report that using laser treatments to remove body hair can be cancerous. Experts warn that the method is at its worst especially for those who are regularly exposed to smoke. They also claim that smoke from burning hair has chemicals that may contaminate air and is also one popular cause of cancer.

The Daily Mail also reported Dr. Gary Chuang of the University of California saying, "Laser hair removal performed by improperly trained personnel or in an inadequately equipped facility will put both the healthcare workers and patients at risk." He added that the procedures should only be performed in spaces with "an adequate air filtration system and a smoke evacuator."

For the study, the team collected hair samples from two volunteers. Researchers then sealed the samples in glass jars, the treated them using a laser and captured 30 seconds of laser "plume." The researchers were able to identify 377 chemical compounds in the smoke which included 20 that are known to be harmful toxins for the environment like carbon monoxide, and 13 that are known or suspected to cause cancer including benzene and toluene, Deccan Chronicle reported.

According to Indian Express, the researchers were able to conclude that the burning-hair plume discharged during laser hair removal treatments should be considered a "biohazard." They also said that treatments such as this should be encouraged to use smoke evacuators. The place should also have good ventilation and respiratory protection since the team was also able to measure the concentrations of very fine particles in the plume that could be easily inhaled.