Redness, pain and swelling typically subside within hours after laser treatment has taken place. Sometimes a doctor might apply an anesthetic cream before beginning laser treatment to the area in question.
Select a qualified and experienced practitioner who understands which laser strength will best meet the needs of your skin tone. Failing to do so could result in blistering, crusting and scarring on the surface of the skin.
Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation disorder
Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH) is a frustrating yet common side effect of inflammation that often appears on darker-pigmented patients after primary lesions have cleared away. PIH typically presents itself in brown macules or patches on skin that persist months after their primary lesion has disappeared; its prevalence increases with darker complexions. PIH may be caused by acne, psoriasis, rosacea or eczema as well as treatments like microdermabrasion, chemical peels or laser procedures among others.
After an injury or inflammation, melanocytes in the skin become stimulated to produce more pigment (color). As a result, lighter or darker areas appear depending on how intensely inflammation has spread or on how much melanin production occurs from melanocytes.
PIH is most frequently diagnosed in people suffering from acne or other inflammatory skin conditions, as well as being more prevalent among Fitzpatrick skin types III to VI. Sunburn, exposure to nonionizing radiation or medical procedures like dermabrasion or laser treatments are all potential triggers of PIH in this population. Inflammation in particular is known to contribute to its formation.
As part of the healing process, persistent sun exposure may exacerbate PIH symptoms. Therefore, sunscreen with an SPF rating above 15 should be applied regularly to safeguard skin discoloration from further sun exposure. Furthermore, fragranced lotions or soaps that could irritate treated skin must also be avoided for maximum efficacy in healing processes.
Common side effects of PIH treatments, including photoionization therapy (PIH), include blisters on the treatment area that can be painful and take days to heal. They’re caused by inflammation causing melanocytes to produce more pigment which seeps into blistered areas causing them to rupture into blistered spots.
There are various effective and safe treatments for PIH available today, such as topical depigmenting agents, resurfacing procedures, and chemical peels. When considering treatment for any disorder of pigmentation such as Melasma or Pigmentary Induced Hyperpigmentation (PIH), it’s essential that it’s discussed with a board-certified dermatologist with experience treating Melasma or Disorders of Pigmentation like Dr. Green of her boutique NYC office who specializes in this area PIH sufferers can achieve beautiful, even skin tones with her wide selection of safe treatment options!
Leukotrichia
Laser hair removal is a noninvasive solution for unwanted body hair that has proven popular among individuals of all types and skin tones. While the procedure typically has minor, temporary side effects, there could be longer-lasting ones such as redness and other irritations that should be discussed with a dermatologist before continuing your treatments. Though any symptoms experienced should not cause you to stop treatment immediately, but should instead be reported.
One of the more frequent side effects of laser hair removal is folliculitis, or inflammation of hair follicles. This complication usually manifests itself in small red pimples with hair at their centers that cause itching, pain and discomfort – itching being especially severe for people with darker skin tones. Furthermore, this condition increases one’s risk for permanent hair loss in certain individuals.
Scab formation is another potential side effect of laser hair removal, and occurs when skin is exposed to heat from the laser beam. It may result from using an at-home kit or having treatment performed by an unqualified practitioner; in order to minimize its severity it’s wise to moisturize affected areas regularly, avoid sun exposure and treat as wounds until healed.
Scarring and crusting can be more serious side effects of laser hair removal. Although such complications are relatively rare when performed by a trained practitioner, they are more likely to arise if people use at-home laser kits or are predisposed to scar easily; or have been recently sunburnt or been subjected to other treatments like a sanding machine.
Before beginning laser hair removal treatment, it is advisable to refrain from products which darken the skin, such as sunless skin creams and bleaching agents. You should also avoid shaving, plucking and waxing the area for several weeks prior to scheduling an appointment with a provider. In addition, blood-thinning medications should be discontinued prior to treatment and any patients suffering from varicose veins should consult their physician prior to commencing laser hair removal treatment.
Bromhidrosis
Sweating is a natural bodily function that helps cool the skin and release toxins, but when combined with bacteria on the skin it can produce an unpleasant odor known as bromhidrosis, which affects people of all ages and causes discomfort when in public spaces and lowers quality of life. To treat it effectively one must identify its underlying causes first.
Bromhidrosis can be caused by many different factors, including diet, medication and health conditions. The symptoms of Bromhidrosis include excessive sweating, body odor and difficulty with self-care; in addition, some patients also experience scab formation or changes to their skin tone which may make this condition very irritating and challenging to manage.
Bromhidrosis can take two forms. Apocrine bromhidrosis, the more prevalent variety, typically affects armpits and groin areas and results from an accumulation of sweat-producing bacteria on skin cells that produce malodorous by-products such as butyric acid and thioalcohols – this produces an offensive smell similar to rotten eggs.
Eccrine bromhidrosis is the less frequent variety, caused by eccrine glands found throughout the body but most frequently on palms of hands and soles of feet. Although initially odorless, over time this form of sweat develops an unpleasant aroma due to bacteria breaking down keratin within skin tissue; triggers for this include garlic or other food sources or medications and toxins.
People experiencing severe bromhidrosis should seek medical advice for diagnosis and treatment. Their doctor will conduct a detailed history review as well as physical exam to diagnose its root cause; likely asking about your diet, lifestyle and severity of odor. Following this diagnosis they will recommend an effective solution tailored specifically for you based on its source.
Crusting
Laser hair removal is a safe and effective method to eliminate unwanted hair. Additionally, it works to slow the rate of new growth. People should be aware of possible side effects associated with laser treatments, including skin discoloration or crusting as well as temporary health concerns like temporary discoloration of lips. However, such side effects should not cause long-term harm.
Lasers use selective photothermolysis to selectively heat targeted tissue and destroy it without harming surrounding areas. Melanin in skin absorbs laser light, traveling to hair follicles where thermal energy transforms it into destructive force that permanently stops further hair production from that follicle. This destruction leaves no hair to grow back!
At each laser hair removal session, your doctor will apply protective gel to protect the area from skin damage while simultaneously cooling its tip with cooling devices built into some laser handpieces – this helps prevent superficial burns and should be used during every session; moisturizers in the treated area may further minimize this possibility.
Though uncommon, some individuals may experience discoloration or crusting after receiving laser hair removal treatments. This could be the result of infection or irritation; therefore, if this occurs it is essential that a medical provider be contacted immediately. In addition, after laser treatments it is vitally important that sun exposure be avoided after treatments; it is highly advised that people with darker complexions use high SPF sunscreen when going outside.
Prior to beginning laser hair removal, it is wise to consult your physician if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. While no evidence suggests laser hair removal harms unborn babies, it would be prudent to wait until after both pregnancy and breastfeeding have concluded before having the procedure performed.
Finally, it is crucial that you select a reliable clinic for laser hair removal sessions. Research the management team behind it as well as their experience and certification status to find out whether they can offer appropriate procedures. Inspect the laser machine and equipment before proceeding.
