Does Laser Hair Removal Get Rid of Acne?

Brian Lett
By Brian Lett
11 Min Read

does laser hair removal get rid of acne

Acne breakouts are an extremely common condition that affects individuals of any age and gender. While mild cases of acne can often be treated successfully using proper skincare regimens and over-the-counter remedies, more severe cases may require professional medical advice from a dermatologist.

Laser hair removal can help lessen the appearance of acne scars, so read on to understand more about its workings and expectations.

1. Removing Hair

Laser hair removal can be an effective solution to eliminating unwanted body hair and avoiding future acne outbreaks, while simultaneously helping reduce scarring from existing wounds. Before having this procedure done, however, it’s wise to speak to a dermatologist first.

A dermatologist can assist in determining whether laser treatment is suitable for your skin type and severity of scars, as well as provide recommendations for other therapies that could reduce scarring.

Some individuals have reported an unexpected outbreak of acne after receiving laser hair removal treatment, typically as the result of clogged pores that irritate the skin surface and inflammation and irritation caused by laser hair removal causing excessive oil production, leading to acne breakouts.

After laser hair removal, it’s also essential to use gentle skincare products in order to avoid irritating the skin. Avoid harsh soaps and depilatory creams that could irritate or dry out the skin further, leading to further oil production. Incorporating an SPF 15 moisturizer or ointment into skincare regime will provide additional protection from sun exposure as well as environmental factors.

Another potential cause of laser hair removal-induced acne breakouts may be using tanning lotions that darken skin. It is advised to cease use at least four weeks prior to receiving laser hair removal treatment; additionally, other hair-removal methods like shaving, plucking and waxing should also be avoided as much as possible.

If you experience acne breakout after laser hair removal, it is crucial that it be addressed immediately. An astringent with antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties will work effectively, while tight-fitting clothing that traps sweat may aggravate breakouts by trapping sweat in against your skin and trapping sweat, bacteria and dirt underneath its layers. Finally, washing hands frequently is also advised in order to stop bacteria spreading to other parts of the body.

Before beginning laser hair removal procedures, it is a good idea to consult a laser hair specialist. Be sure to select one with an excellent reputation and plenty of experience; only certified professionals will guarantee safety and quality results, and know how to adjust laser energy according to skin type in order to prevent side effects like burns or discolorations.

2. Preventing Acne Breakouts

Most people envision gorgeous skin as having clear, smooth and soft features without unwanted hair and blemishes. While laser hair removal does help reduce oil production by stopping future hair growth, and thus eliminating blemishes from occurring, it cannot remedy acne due to clogged pores causing its presence.

Clogged pores are one of the primary causes of acne breakouts and are caused by dead skin cells, excess oil and other substances which irritate and inflame the skin, providing the perfect breeding ground for bacteria to flourish in. Clogged pores may spread bacteria via facial hair or ingrown hairs to other parts of the face where they cause breakouts; eliminating facial hair can dramatically lower this risk as laser hair removal removes bacteria-carrying hair that clings onto oily surfaces like oily skin.

Laser hair removal should not be seen as the ultimate cure for acne; rather, its heat and inflammation could actually exacerbate existing blemishes for some patients. Microdermabrasion, chemical peels, and intense pulsed light (IPL) treatments can all have similar adverse reactions; sometimes leading to breakouts; thus it’s crucial that patients follow instructions from their dermatologist when receiving treatments such as these and avoid overexfoliating or using harsh skincare products on treated areas.

Other prevention methods available to mild and moderate acne sufferers may include antibacterial ointments, oral medication to combat any bacterial infections that trigger acne, and non-comedogenic skincare products specifically tailored for acne-prone skin. It’s also important to avoid direct sunlight as prolonged sun exposure may aggravate and worsen acne conditions.

Other measures you can take to help prevent acne breakouts after laser hair removal include soothing itchy skin with cooling creams or ice (but do not place directly onto the skin), as well as refraining from picking or squeezing blemishes as this could irritate and scar your skin further. A trained aesthetician or plastic surgeon may suggest more severe acne treatments if they do not respond to these measures.

3. Preventing Infections

Those with sensitive skin can experience hair removal process-induced folliculitis. This medical condition occurs when hair follicles become inflamed due to trauma or heat exposure and become red and inflamed, often leading to acne-like bumps or pustules appearing. Laser hair removal has the ability to alleviate folliculitis by dissolving affected hair follicles so they cannot produce new hair growth again.

However, for folliculitis to be prevented, the skin needs to heal after treatment has taken place. Maintaining cleanliness by not wearing tight clothing and using gentle exfoliators are beneficial in helping heal the area around folliculitis lesions. Avoiding darkening products as well as medications which thin blood is also critical.

Laser hair removal treatments require careful aftercare to avoid future clogged pores and other symptoms of folliculitis. Your facial plastic surgeon or dermatologist may suggest home cleaning solutions such as aloe vera or tea tree oil that contain healing ingredients to aid recovery from treatments.

Laser treatment can also help to avoid ingrown hairs, which occur when the hair follicle becomes irritated during shaving or other methods of hair removal, leading it to grow back into the skin rather than outward as normal. Once these ingrown hairs reach the surface they pierce surrounding tissues and cause inflammation – creating what looks like an unsightly ingrown pimple!

These infections also carry the risk of spreading further infections through dead hair that traps bacteria and sweat on your skin. To avoid this happening, it’s essential that you shave or pluck any remaining hairs prior to having laser treatments done.

After laser treatments, it’s also essential to refrain from shaving, waxing or tweezing the area around your hair follicles as this could clog pores and increase their vulnerability to inflammation and infections caused by other forms of hair removal methods.

To ensure maximum protection after laser hair removal, it is wise to choose an experienced provider who is well versed in this technique. They will know exactly which power levels to set depending on your skin type – this reduces chances of disturbing your follicles and prompting more hair production – plus sensitive settings can also be implemented accordingly.

4. Preventing Scarring

Laser hair removal may cause breakouts when treating thick and coarse hair in an area. This is because laser heat can irritate the skin, leading to pus-filled bubbles. Although not everyone experiences breakouts after treatment, if this does happen it should be managed through proper aftercare practices – in such an instance an antibacterial ointment or gentle skin-repairing cream can help calm inflammation and soothe discomfort.

If you experience a breakout, it is crucial not to pick at, rub against or touch the affected areas as this can lead to scarring. Instead, keep the skin as clean as possible by wearing loose fitting clothes, exercising outdoors rather than indoors and using an ice pack on affected areas throughout the day for several minutes each time in order to reduce redness and swelling.

Laser hair removal can be an effective tool to combat acne outbreaks as it clears away hair follicles that become clogged with debris and form pimples. However, it must be remembered that it should only be used in addition to other treatment plans that specifically target acne rather than simply eliminating unwanted hair.

Opting for laser hair removal should be approached carefully, selecting an experienced, reputable, and licensed provider will help ensure the best equipment and techniques are used on your skin, decreasing risks such as hyperpigmentation, blisters, burns or infection. Inquire if they possess sufficient experience and training in performing the procedure as well as perform a patch test to check for skin sensitivity; this will give you peace of mind that your skin is being cared for correctly with low risks of complications arising – just follow these simple tips for flawless, clear skin!

Share This Article