Body hair and hair removal in teenagers: what you should know

Puberty is a time of rapid changes – physical, emotional and social. One of the most noticeable and sometimes worrying changes for young people is the appearance of body hair. This can become a source of insecurity and discomfort, particularly when there is a lack of accurate information about the options offered by modern aesthetic medicine.

What happens at this stage? During puberty, the brain releases hormones that stimulate the production of oestrogen in girls and testosterone in boys. Teenagers’ bodies start to produce sebum, so their skin becomes oilier and body hair begins to appear for the first time in certain areas. This causes a great deal of excitement, comments from peers and anxiety.

If you’re a parent, this article will help you guide your child so they don’t have to deal with something so difficult on their own. And if you’re a teenager, you can rest assured that you’ll be reading a supportive article by experts who work every day with other teenagers going through the same thing!

What is body hair in adolescence?

The appearance of body hair during puberty is the result of hormonal changes. The brain begins to produce hormones that trigger the production of oestrogen in girls and testosterone in boys. This leads to a number of changes in the body:

• Increased oiliness of the skin and scalp due to increased sebum secretion
• The appearance of acne, particularly on the face, back and chest
• The appearance of body hair in new areas – armpits, legs, arms, the genital area, the face (particularly in boys)
• Changes in body shape and proportions – for example, a widening of the hips in girls and of the shoulders in boys
• Development of secondary sexual characteristics – such as breasts in girls and changes in the voice in boys

Psychologically and emotionally, this is a period when teenagers begin to compare themselves with their peers, become concerned about their appearance and often become sensitive to any changes in their bodies.

The first signs of body hair usually appear between the ages of 10 and 15. At first, the hair is fine and light in colour, but over time it becomes darker, thicker and more noticeable. By the end of puberty, body hair no longer differs significantly from that of adults.

All these changes are both normal and very stressful. Every day, we see children and young people aged 12–18 who are looking for the right solution and place their trust in us because they find understanding and receive advice. Dr Tracheva herself, who is the founder of Body Aesthetics Laser Centre, She went through some very difficult hormonal changes during puberty and works with many people who suffer from excessive or hormone-related hair growth.

When is it a cause for concern?

The most common physiological issues relating to body hair at this age are:

• Premature onset of body hair – particularly in childhood. It is necessary to consult a doctor and have hormone tests carried out.
• Excessive body hair – It may be genetic or linked to a hormonal imbalance. In such cases, a consultation with an endocrinologist is also recommended.

The most significant effect, however, is often psychological. For many teenagers, unwanted body hair becomes a source of embarrassment, isolation and low self-esteem. This often leads to them experimenting with methods such as wax strips, creams and epilators, which are not always suitable for their skin.

What hair removal methods are suitable for teenagers?

There are several main categories of methods for dealing with unwanted body hair:

Provisional methods

• Shaving – a quick, affordable but short-term solution
• Facial mask / hair removal using appliances – they remove the hair from the root, but they are painful and carry a risk of ingrown hairs
• Depilatory creams – chemical solvents that may irritate sensitive skin

Potential risks associated with temporary methods:

• Ingrown hairs, leading to inflammation, subcutaneous infections and even permanent scarring
• Mechanical injuries (cuts, grazes)
• Burns and pigmentation marks caused by the incorrect use of hair removal products
• Hair thickening caused by regular shaving, particularly in sensitive areas

Permanent hair removal

• Laser hair removal – destroys the hair follicle through photothermolysis. The light energy is converted into heat, which penetrates deep into the skin and permanently destroys the follicle.

Is laser hair removal suitable for teenagers?

Yes, but under certain conditions:

• It is recommended after the onset of puberty, when body hair has already started to grow
• In the absence of a serious hormonal imbalance
• After consulting a specialist, particularly in the case of a young person under the age of 16
  

  One advantage of laser hair removal during adolescence is that, once the hairs have been destroyed, it is highly unlikely that they will grow back in those areas after puberty.

How does laser hair removal work?

The laser only affects hairs in the active growth phase (anagen phase). A series of treatments is therefore required, carried out at specific intervals depending on the area:

• Person – every 30–45 days
• Underarms and intimate areas – every 45–60 days
• Legs – every 6
• 0–90 days

After 3–4 treatments, the hairs become finer, grow more slowly and become fewer and fewer. Over time, the intervals between treatments become longer.

Why is the alexandrite laser the preferred choice?

The type of laser used to perform the procedure is of crucial importance. Our laser hair removal is a medical procedure and is carried out using the world’s leading medical laser platform GentleLase Pro & Gentle Max Pro Plus. We have a 755 nm alexandrite laser and a 1064 nm Nd:YAG laser. This enables us to treat Absolutely all types of body hair on all skin types. We permanently remove the lightest and finest hairs, as well as the thickest and darkest hairs, from skin of any phototype (I to VI) and even from tanned skin.

The person’s skin type and hair type are important factors in determining the device’s settings and parameters during the treatment; it is also crucial to adhere to the recommended intervals between treatments.

Results from the 100% treatment cannot be guaranteed for teenagers with hormonal imbalances. This may be the reason why they continue to grow hair, even though the hair follicles are destroyed during laser treatment, So only trust specialists and centres, where the procedures are carried out by medical professionals with the necessary expertise and state-of-the-art equipment.

How much does it cost?

For most girls and boys of this age, the decision is also a question of budget.

От една страна, лазерната епилация със сигурност е по-скъпа от коламаската и бръсначите, но в дългосрочен план, ако правилно сте избрали мястото, тя ще намали трайно окосмяването за години напред, а коламаска трябва да правите през няколко седмици. От друга страна много хора смятат, че за известен период ще имат разходи за лазерна епилация всеки месец.

This is also an inaccurate statement. This misconception exists because some salons encourage their customers to visit every 30 days, which actually reduces the effectiveness of laser hair removal. When undergoing full-body laser hair removal, it is important to bear in mind that hair grows at different rates in different areas, and treatment should only be carried out whilst the hair is in its active growth phase.

For example – facial treatments are carried out every 30–45 days, whilst treatments for the arms, underarms and bikini line are carried out every 45–60 days, and treatments for the legs every 60–90 days; for the first few sessions, we tend to stick to the minimum intervals, whilst for the second and third sessions, we aim for the maximum intervals. This ensures that the hairs are in the anagen phase of their growth cycle and that the treatment will be effective. It is often the case that, after the third and fourth sessions, the hair begins to grow back considerably more slowly. From then on, sessions are carried out when steady hair regrowth is observed.

With us, laser hair removal is even better value, andwhen you purchase a package of 6 laser hair removal sessions for one area. With this package, one session is free and you receive our Lifetime Guarantee for laser hair removal, which entitles you, after the final sixth treatment in the package, to an unlimited number of treatments at 25% off the standard price for that area! This is particularly beneficial when laser hair removal is carried out at a young age.

If you are considering laser hair removal as a teenager, it is important to know:

• If there is an active hormonal imbalance, the results may be less pronounced
• A thorough preliminary assessment of the skin type and condition is required
• Our consultation is completely free of charge
• We provide lifetime guarantee on laser hair removal
• In the case of minors, the procedure may only be carried out with the written consent of a parent, who must visit us with their child to sign a Declaration in our presence and familiarise themselves with Our informed consent to the procedure, which includes preparation, aftercare and any contraindications.

Conclusion

Laser hair removal can be an excellent solution for teenagers who experience significant discomfort due to unwanted hair. It is safe, effective and offers long-term results when carried out correctly.

If you want to help your child tackle this issue with confidence and without anxiety, book a COMPLETELY FREE consultation with our specialists at Body Aesthetics HERE!

The material Body hair and hair removal in teenagers: what you should know was first published on Body Aesthetics.