Laser hair removal is a safe and effective method for eliminating unwanted hair, but can sometimes result in burns and scars on the skin. To minimize risks from laser hair removal procedures, take special care after each procedure to protect yourself against burns or scarring.
Avoid direct sunlight following treatment and follow any advice provided by your practitioner or doctor regarding an ointment that could help reduce swelling and pain. Ice packs may also provide added support in managing symptoms.
Swelling
Laser hair removal has become an increasingly popular way to get rid of unwanted body hair, with people turning away from shaving, plucking, waxing and other methods as alternatives. But laser hair removal comes with risks, the most prevalent being burns. According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), burns can lead to pain, swelling and discoloration as well as infections or scarring that could even prove deadly in some instances.
Swelling is an integral part of healing laser hair removal burns, and to minimize discomfort it’s important to keep the affected area as cool as possible. Doing this may reduce pain while speeding recovery time. OTC pain relievers may provide temporary relief; however it would be wiser to opt for non-salicylic acid topical medications as these could increase infection risks.
Once the swelling subsides, you should apply an ointment that will hydrate and promote skin regeneration – something like Vaseline petrolatum can work wonders in helping your burned area to heal more quickly. Just be sure not to pop any blisters that arise as this could make the injury more susceptible to infection; keep the area clean, avoid tight clothing over it as this will help.
If you have concerns about laser hair removal burns, it’s always wise to speak to a medical professional immediately. They can advise the best course of action and administer any necessary treatments; in extreme cases hospitalization or skin grafting may even be necessary.
To prevent laser hair removal burns, it’s vital that you select an experienced practitioner. They should be able to customize their laser settings based on your skin tone, hair color and thickness – as well as recognize any issues during treatment and stop it before the burn worsens.
Arriving to your appointment with clean skin will also allow the technician to more effectively identify potential issues during the procedure.
Blisters
Laser hair removal is an increasingly popular cosmetic procedure used to effectively eradicate unwanted hair. But like any medical procedure, there may be risks and side effects. Some individuals may experience pain, swelling and skin discoloration after treatment – though these effects can usually be managed with proper care at home.
If you’re seeking laser hair removal treatment, be sure to work with an accredited and experienced practitioner. Avoid tanning in the days prior to your procedure as tanned skin is more sensitive to laser beams. Also, do a test spot first and if successful proceed with full treatments.
After your treatment, you may experience some blisters that will heal on their own. If this occurs, apply cold compress or ice pack to help alleviate pain and swelling; use anti-inflammatory cream on burns for soothing comfort; use cold compress to help with scarring as needed and consult a physician if blisters become very large; these blisters are vulnerable to infection that could result in scarring from further scarring.
Burns from laser hair removal can be very painful and uncomfortable, requiring you to keep the affected area clean and moist in order to promote faster healing. If the burns are severe, an antibiotic ointment may need to be applied; you should avoid popping blisters as this increases risk of infection and could result in even worse scarring.
If the burned skin becomes discolored, you can cover it up using concealer as a color corrector until the discoloration subsides. Or try treating it using an IPL handset; this non-invasive device uses pulses of light to stimulate cells and promote healing.
Burns from laser hair removal typically result from negligence on the part of professionals. This may involve failing to thoroughly study a patient’s skin type before performing laser hair removal treatments; using outdated equipment incorrectly; or not following manufacturer guidelines and directions. At Zukowski, Rogers, Flood & McArdle we have successfully argued that suits filed as medical malpractice suits in Illinois do not meet its heightened requirements and should therefore not be filed.
Infection
Redness, itching and irritation in the area where laser hair removal occurred are common after laser treatments, likely caused by damaged hair follicles and will usually resolve within hours; cooling creams or ice packs may help alleviate discomfort further. You may also experience tenderness – should any of these symptoms appear contact your dermatologist immediately for advice and care.
One in 10 individuals may develop more serious infections from laser hair removal treatments. This is usually caused by poor treatment from the salon that applied it, such as not conducting a patch test or selecting incorrect settings on their machine. To protect against such incidents, only seek treatments from highly-rated and trusted aestheticians.
During the healing process, it is vital that the affected area remains clean. To do so properly, avoid rubbing or picking at any crust that forms on its own and instead apply aloe vera ointment several times daily for best results and quicker recovery time. This can help both soothe your skin as well as speed its recovery process.
Avoid further irritation to the area by limiting sun exposure or tanning beds, plucked/waxed the affected area before fully healing occurs and donning tight clothing/makeup around it until fully recovered.
Once the wound has healed, pigment will gradually return. To speed this process up and allow natural pigment to return quicker, try to avoid chemical-based creams with hydroquinone that could bleach your skin further and impede its recovery. These can make it more difficult for its return.
Protecting the area with light-colored loose covering or scar cream that covers burns will also help minimize scarring. Furthermore, whenever possible avoid sun exposure on affected areas by using sunscreen on them and applying an umbrella whenever outside.
Scarring
Laser hair removal can be an extremely effective treatment for getting rid of unwanted hair, yet, like any medical procedure, can pose complications – one such complication being burns. Burns may occur if either the laser is misused improperly or the skin hasn’t been prepared for it; preparation involves shaving and forgoing other methods like waxing and plucking as well as keeping skin free of skincare products such as retinoids and acids which could hinder healing during treatment.
Laser hair removal involves beams of light passing through the skin and being converted to heat energy to destroy hair follicles, leading to discomfort during treatment. Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation may also result in slight discolorations affecting tanned or darker skin tones; it will usually return back to its natural color over time.
As part of their healing process, patients can apply Vaseline (petroleum jelly) or aloe vera gel directly onto the affected area to increase moisture retention and relieve pain while speeding up healing time. Furthermore, over-the-counter pain relievers are also an option to manage discomfort caused by laser hair removal burns.
Aiming to prevent laser hair removal burns is easiest by visiting an experienced practitioner and making sure the device is being utilized appropriately, thereby protecting skin from exposure to excessive heat or potential laser damages. In order to maintain optimal results it’s also best to avoid tanning or using self-tanners prior to having laser treatment done.
Be mindful that burning the skin can result in scarring. A doctor may prescribe creams and ointments to lessen the scarring appearance or even perform a skin graft; however, most scarring from laser hair removal burns can be prevented by seeking immediate medical treatment should their burns become serious.
