Laser hair removal may cause post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation scars when targeting skin rather than just hair follicles.
Failure to follow aftercare instructions correctly can also increase the chances of laser treatment-related skin rashes. Your skin should be treated like it had been sunburned; keep cool, moisturized and protected from sunlight after laser treatments for best results.
What is the best way to prevent scars?
As part of your efforts to avoid scarring from laser hair removal, it is crucial that you take proper care for your skin after each session. This includes moisturizing and avoiding over-exfoliation so as to allow healing of the area after laser sessions; additionally, use of sunscreen will protect from UV rays after laser sessions and ensure maximum efficacy from treatment results. Treatment sessions should be spaced out no sooner than four to six weeks apart in order for maximum efficiency of results.
Some patients may experience temporary itching, redness and slight swelling after receiving laser treatment as their bodies react to damage done to hair follicles. To minimize discomfort use a topical anesthetic cream or cold ice packs. Some individuals might develop permanent scarring due to crusting that forms over treated areas but this can be prevented by keeping skin moisturized post treatment.
Laser treatments may cause the outer layer of skin to become clogged up, leading to breakouts similar to acne. When pores get blocked with dead cells, bacteria, and oil, pus-filled bumps form to try and clear away this buildup of debris. To minimize side effects following each session, be sure to use an unscented face wash and moisturizer free from fragrances, dyes, and harsh chemicals for best results.
Laser hair removal often leads to hyperpigmentation. This condition occurs when laser light absorbs pigment from your skin rather than just hair follicles, and may be more prevalent among darker skin tones. Although typically temporary, excessive laser settings could leave permanent dark marks that resemble burn scars on your skin.
Many individuals may experience flare-ups of eczema after laser hair removal, an inflammatory condition usually treated with steroids and medicated washes. According to several derms, laser hair removal may actually help those living with this autoimmune disorder as it helps decrease outbreak frequency while also permitting some individuals to stop shaving altogether and therefore lessening flare-ups.
How long will it take for scars to fade?
Scars are part of our natural healing process and may form following surgery, injury, or minor cuts. Most scars will fade with time; however, there are ways you can make them less visible.
Scar treatment depends on the nature and severity of your scar. Mr Henley may suggest compression therapy, intense pulsed light or laser therapy, steroid injections, silicone sheet application or scar revision surgery as appropriate treatments for larger or deep scars.
New scars typically start off red and hard as your body creates a protective skin barrier to combat infection. Over time, however, the scar will begin to flatten out and fade in colour over several months; eventually becoming lighter or pale pink as its scar tissue matures and matures fully. This process typically takes one year.
Fresh scars often have reddish-pink colors caused by blood vessels beneath the skin that supply oxygen and nutrients during healing processes, providing redness. Over time these blood vessels will be eliminated by your body, reducing its reddish hue.
Once a scar has aged, it will likely become less visible on the skin; however, if it occurs on an easily noticeable part of your body – for instance an arm, leg, or back scar may still be easily visible when wearing clothing or bikinis – which is why some individuals choose cosmetic camouflage products or green-hued makeup to cover it up.
Scars may vary in appearance depending on multiple factors, including size and location; type; age of patient; and more. As people get older, their skin becomes less capable of healing itself and disguising scars effectively; those who smoke or have had skin conditions like psoriasis often have less vibrant skin that makes their scars even more visible.
Moisturising can also help soften and lessen the appearance of scars, as well as apply silicone gels or sheets directly on them for ongoing moisturisation and flattening effects. Massage can help soften scars by making them less hard, as well as de-sensitising them and softening any potential discomfort from it.
Will I experience any side effects?
Hair removal using lasers often results in temporary side effects such as redness, swelling, pigmentation changes and bruising on the treated area; these symptoms should resolve within a few days post procedure. You can reduce their severity by applying a cool compress or gel pack directly over it.
If you are concerned about scarring from laser hair removal, speaking to your physician first will be beneficial in protecting your skin during recovery time and may suggest forgoing harsh scrubs or chemical peels as part of a regimen for recovery.
After receiving laser hair removal treatment, it is also wise to forgo any activities such as shaving, plucking, and waxing for at least 48 hours afterward. Doing these activities could damage hair follicles and prompt new hair growth; hence it is necessary to wait at least this period before considering having further sessions. Also make sure that high SPF sunscreen coverage is used on any affected areas.
Some patients require multiple sessions before seeing full results of laser hair removal. Even then, some hair may regrow but in finer and lighter texture than before – depending on your skin complexion you may require regular maintenance sessions to ensure no further hairs regrow.
Laser hair removal is safe for most individuals, although people with darker skin may find it more challenging to achieve the results they want due to laser penetration deeper into their tissues and surrounding tissue. People with blonde hair are less likely to be successful as this treatment does not as effectively target roots of hair growth.
Due to no evidence supporting its safety for pregnant women or breastfeeding mothers, laser hair removal treatments should not be undertaken during this time. Furthermore, having laser treatments while breastfeeding could interfere with milk supply and cause discomfort for both mother and baby.
Will my hair grow back?
Laser hair removal is a non-invasive cosmetic treatment used to reduce unwanted hair growth on both the face and body. While results from laser treatments may be permanent or near permanent, occasional touch-up treatments may be needed in order to achieve their desired appearance. Although hair may continue growing back from damaged follicles after laser treatments have taken place, their growth cycle may have been disrupted enough that new growth becomes less obvious over time.
Find an experienced laser practitioner with training and certifications to perform your treatment to ensure safest and most effective laser care for your specific skin complexion and hair type. During consultations, make sure to ask about their training and certifications to verify they meet industry standards.
Before scheduling a laser treatment, it’s best to refrain from shaving, waxing and plucking the area to be treated. Doing so could disturb hair follicles further and render them vulnerable to laser energy during your appointment. In addition, avoid applying cosmetic products such as self-tanners or other sunless tanning solutions before your session.
At your laser treatment session, you will relax in a dark room while the technician uses a quartz applicator to pulse light onto your skin using laser energy. As soon as it reaches hair follicles it destroys them!
Light energy from the laser also damages surrounding tissues, including your skin’s surface and nerves, creating an uncomfortable burning sensation during treatment. Once complete, however, you will be free to resume normal activities as planned.
If the redness and swelling following laser hair removal treatment causes alarm, consult with your dermatologist immediately. They can recommend an at-home regimen that will expedite healing process; in addition, sunscreen with high SPF should always be worn whenever outdoors.
Though laser treatments can produce great results, they should not be seen as permanent solutions. You’ll likely require multiple sessions over six to 8 weeks in order to see the full benefit from laser hair removal; this allows the laser to target hairs at various phases of growth and target each one appropriately.
