A 30-year-old member asked:
Can people with vitiligo get laser hair removal?
2 doctor answers • 6 doctors weighed in
Dr. Gregory Surfieldanswered
Surgery - Plastics 22 years experience
Maybe: It would depend on the color of the hair in contrast to the skin. Light hair is harder to treat with the laser.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Dr. Otto Placikanswered
Surgery - Plastics 36 years experience
Yes: But it may not be effective because most lasers target the pigment in the hair follicle.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Similar questions
A 33-year-old member asked:
Can people who has vitiligo get laser hair removal done?
2 doctor answers • 6 doctors weighed in
Dr. Barry Cohenanswered
36 years experience
Yes: Actually the lighter skin makes it safer as long as hair is relatively dark.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Dallas, TX
A 24-year-old female asked:
Can I get cosmetic laser hair removal if I have vitiligo?
2 doctor answers • 7 doctors weighed in
Dr. SG Ermananswered
Family Medicine 37 years experience
Yes: Laser hair removal only works on darkly pigmented hair; it will not work well on white/grey/blonde/lt brown hair. The skin color will not make too much of a difference.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Dr. Donald Shenenberger commented
Dermatology 27 years experience
Dr. Erman is correct. The best results for laser hair removal are with the combination of light skin and dark hair. The laser selectively targets the pigment in the hair. However, most patients with vitiligo have not only loss of skin pigment but loss of the pigment in the hairs in the depigmented areas. This makes the laser not a good option for vitiligo patients.
Feb 27, 2012
Dr. Morris Westfried commented
Dermatology 48 years experience
It can be done but you may need test spot because area with vitiligo can be more sensitive to laser.
Feb 27, 2012
Dr. Morris Westfried commented
Dermatology 48 years experience
Non vitiigo areas are treatable. Areaswith hairs without color will not respond well as per dr.shenenberger.
Feb 27, 2012
Saudi Arabia
A 17-year-old female asked:
If i have vitiligo will the spots increase if i got laser hair removal?
1 doctor answer • 1 doctor weighed in
Dr. John Chiuanswered
Allergy and Immunology 59 years experience
Probably not: In general, laser or IPL tends to increase pigmentation transiently after the treatment especially among those with olive or darker complexion. If you suffer a 3rd degree burn at the site, then you may lose pigment at that site that may or may not be permanent. Vitiligo is considered an autoimmune disorder and different from loss in pigment from injury.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
1.7k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 40-year-old member asked:
Is it possible to get laser hair removal on your butt?
2 doctor answers • 4 doctors weighed in
Dr. Daniel Careagaanswered
Plastic Surgery 20 years experience
Sure : You can get laser hair removal on any part of your body that has hair!
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.1k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
Last updated Oct 15, 2020
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