Laser hair removal can quickly and safely eliminate unwanted body hair by using heat from a laser beam to destroy hair follicles, making this less painful alternative to plucking and waxing. On average, two to six sessions may be required.
Before your treatment appointment, it is advisable to shave and apply sunblock. Furthermore, avoid tanning and make use of sun cream.
Redness
Laser hair removal uses high-energy light beams to target unwanted hair in areas like the face, chest, legs and arms. Laser light damages hair follicles to temporarily disrupt growth – typically safer and more effective than other hair-removal methods; but redness or swelling may occur so it’s essential that an experienced medical professional be chosen as your provider.
Your medical specialist will apply a topical anesthetic to ease discomfort before pressing a handheld device against your skin and activating a laser treatment, lasting from several minutes up to several hours, depending on which area is being addressed. While you might experience pain or discomfort initially, most symptoms will dissipate within hours – cold compresses are useful to soothe redness or swelling that lingers afterwards.
Before starting laser hair removal, the area in which you wish to have it done should be shaved in order to give hair follicles better access to absorb the laser’s energy and prevent bumps. Sunless tanning and other hair removal methods such as waxing or plucking should also be avoided for at least six weeks prior to scheduling an appointment.
If you have dark skin, laser hair removal sessions at four to six-week intervals may be required in order to fully remove your hair. On the other hand, lighter-skinned people may only require one or two treatments in order to do away with their unwanted locks. Both types of skin may experience side effects after laser hair removal such as redness and itching.
Your side-effects of laser hair removal treatment may be reduced or eliminated altogether by visiting a board-certified dermatologist and following their instructions for pre- and post-treatment care. At your appointment, they will also discuss ways to lower costs: you might use flexible spending accounts or other financial arrangements; medical spas or treatment centers may offer package deals; it might even be covered by health insurance (but please check first!). In certain instances, health insurance might cover it too – make sure before scheduling an appointment!
Bumps
Just after laser hair removal, people often experience red and raised bumps on their skin, which may appear alarming at first. But these bumps are simply part of the normal side effects. These red bumps are caused by follicular edema – this means that hair follicles have become inflamed as energy was sufficiently absorbed to disable them slowly over time. These red or raised bumps typically resolve themselves within days; but in rare instances may remain for several days longer.
Bruising is another common side-effect of laser hair removal that may cause some discomfort at first. This occurs because laser light has stimulated nearby blood vessels, prompting an excess of blood to rush to the surface of skin in a rush that creates bruises. To minimize bruising following laser hair removal it’s essential to stay out of direct sunlight and heat; alcohol and cigarettes may exacerbate symptoms further as these may reduce healing ability in your body.
Arriving for laser treatment sessions with clean skin is also key. Most providers advise patients to arrive without makeup on, and will wipe down their skin using alcohol pads before commencing treatments to avoid makeup absorption by the laser and burns or other complications from happening.
If a person develops blisters, the best approach is to allow it to heal itself naturally as this will reduce infection and scarring that might otherwise result from any infections that arise. Ointments containing anti-inflammatory and antiseptic ingredients may speed up this process further.
Though rare, laser hair removal can sometimes leave permanent scars behind, particularly if performed by unqualified technicians who do not follow training. When this occurs, scars may turn dark or purple-coloured and can even itch or sting when touched – this makes treatment essential if any scars develop; in these cases it is wise to consult a dermatologist immediately as well as wear high SPF sunscreen on affected areas of your face and neck.
Swelling
If you experience redness and swelling immediately following laser hair removal, this is normal and should subside within hours or days. Cooling cream or ice packs may be used to soothe the area if necessary. The swelling occurs due to heat energy from the laser targeting individual hair follicles causing them to expand slightly while their surrounding skin swells slightly as each follicle absorbs heat energy; this condition is known as follicular edema and it’s harmless but temporary.
This can happen with certain skin types, particularly if you have dark complexion or are very tanned and it affects pigmentation of your skin. Furthermore, laser light can sometimes concentrate too heavily on surface tissues instead of individual hair follicles; though typically not an issue this should be discussed with your practitioner prior to commencing any treatments.
Bruising is another side-effect of laser hair removal, but should last no more than several days and can be easily managed through various measures. First, ensure you’re not drinking alcohol or smoking prior to your appointment as this reduces blood flow to your skin, making it more susceptible to bruising. You should also refrain from strenuous activity and use cooling ointments if necessary to help avoid this effect.
Laser hair removal may occasionally cause scarring. Usually due to practitioner error and training on how the laser works, this issue can usually be avoided through proper training and knowledge of how it functions. Furthermore, it’s essential that treated skin remain protected from sunlight by applying a high SPF broad spectrum sunscreen daily for best results.
Redness, irritation and prickly feelings should subside quickly; any lasting side-effects should be reported promptly to their practitioner or to an emergency room if you can’t reach them directly. You should also take preventative steps against further side-effects by limiting sun exposure and using broad spectrum SPF sunscreen daily – these steps may reduce future side-effects as well.
Itching
Occassionally, laser hair removal treatments may cause irritation that results in itchy skin reactions that subside with time. To avoid itching during treatment sessions, avoid scratching affected areas; use hydrocortisone cream instead to relieve itching and soothe your skin. Itching may occur more commonly in certain parts of the body such as bikini lines and legs but is still considered normal when undertaking laser hair removal treatments.
Laser hair removal involves pressing a handheld device against the skin in order to activate a laser and destroy unwanted hairs. The laser emits high amounts of heat which penetrates individual follicles to damage them and induce follicular edema – an entirely normal side-effect of laser hair removal.
People prone to scarring or those who already have preexisting skin conditions may develop keloid scars after laser hair removal. Therefore, it is vitally important that any skin conditions be discussed with their physician prior to starting laser hair removal as this will allow them to give advice and recommendations as to whether laser hair removal is the appropriate treatment option for you.
Rarely, patients may notice bruises as a side effect of treatment; this is likely caused by damaged blood vessels caused by the treatment. Although temporary, such bruises should not cause much concern.
After receiving laser hair removal treatment, it may appear slightly darker due to no longer-growing hairs being extracted from their growth phase. Keep in mind that any such effects are only temporary and can be reversed with further laser sessions.
Be sure to follow all post-treatment recommendations given to you by your doctor, such as staying out of direct sunlight, refraining from certain activities, and applying moisturizers formulated especially for this procedure. Doing so can reduce risks such as bruising and itching post laser hair removal.
