Those stupid flyaways keep coming back no matter how many times you shave, wax, or pluck. She has tried everything but laser hair removal because she is afraid it will damage her breast implants. A laser is hot and intense, wouldn’t it melt or burst the implant as a result? Your imagination goes into overdrive when you remember that scene from Star Wars where the death star points its lasers at a planet and the planet explodes into oblivion. Ok, now imagine this happening inside your body and you decide that maybe you can live with those stray hairs. Here’s a reality check that should put your mind at ease.

First of all, you need to know exactly how the laser works. The area to be treated is very specific and the laser light is attracted to dark pigments such as melanin in the hair. The light is actually absorbed by the hair and then travels through the follicle killing it. The sensation is like a sharp, burning pinch, but it’s not unbearable. The actual amount of pain you feel depends on how sensitive your skin is and where it is removed from. After several treatments, the procedure can give you permanent hair removal or at least lighten or reduce the amount. The surrounding skin is not damaged because it is attracted to the dark pigment, if you have light-colored hair or are dark-skinned, this procedure will not work well for you.

If you have breast implants, it doesn’t matter how close to the breast the laser is placed; it will not affect the implants. While the laser is intense, it is not intense enough to penetrate deeper than the follicle. It also has a large amount of tissue, fat, and possibly muscle that protects the implant from damage.

One thing you should know is that if you recently received implants and want to use laser therapy, you should wait until you have healed from the surgery. This is so that the laser does not aggravate the incisions and cause possible scarring and hyperpigmentation. Other than that, it’s perfectly safe to remove those pesky hairs.

Before committing to any procedure, make sure you have thoroughly researched it with your doctor. While breast implants may not hinder laser work, there may be some other reason why you are not a good candidate. Laws on who can perform the procedure differ by state, so make sure you have an experienced doctor or an experienced clinician under medical supervision perform the procedure. As for breast implants, make sure your doctor is a board-certified plastic surgeon.

So, put aside your fears of wiping out your enhanced chest area. If there is anything that is keeping you from feeling completely confident and satisfied with your body, such as unwanted hair, then go ahead and look into laser hair removal. It’s not going to ruin the work you’ve already done in your quest for self-confidence.