Redness, bumps and irritation immediately following laser hair removal are normal and should subside within several hours on their own. Applying cooling cream such as fragrance-free aloe vera to soothe the skin may provide additional comfort.
These marks, known as follicular edema, result from hair follicles becoming inflamed after treatment and becoming irritated and inflamed themselves, which can resemble acne in appearance.
Redness
Redness is a common side effect of laser treatment and usually subsides within hours following treatment. You may also experience swelling and mild bumps which will fade eventually; these side effects are completely normal for all forms of laser treatments and should not cause alarm or concern.
Expect your skin to feel warm or stingy after laser therapy treatments; this is caused by the heat from the laser hitting upper layers of skin, making its process effective. Stinging may last for several minutes and can be helped by applying cool compresses over the area.
Your dermatologist will likely suggest applying aloe gel or hydrocortisone cream directly onto the affected area in order to soothe swelling and relieve stinging sensations, prevent infection and heal redness faster. Makeup should not be worn over healing skin as this could irritate it further.
After laser treatment, it’s also essential to avoid activities which increase body temperature as these can exacerbate redness and stinging. You should avoid sun exposure for at least seven days post-treatment and wear broad spectrum sunscreen with at least an SPF30 rating afterwards; tanning beds and other sources of UV light should also be avoided after laser therapy treatment.
Depending on the type of laser treatment you undergo, redness may take longer to fade than others. For instance, patients suffering from rosacea may experience prolonged redness after laser treatments but this will subside eventually as skin resurfacing improves base levels of redness.
Other conditions that may increase redness after laser treatment include cold sore reactivation, angiomas (growths of blood vessels) and Poikiloderma of Civatte (skin blemishes that appear as red and purple bumps). Your doctor may prescribe bleaching solution or topical anti-inflammatories to decrease inflammation; alternatively these issues will typically resolve themselves with appropriate care such as avoiding sunlight exposure, physical activities that raise body temperatures and moisturizing with gentle lotion.
Swelling
Swelling after laser treatments is common and should subside within several hours or can be soothed with cooling solutions such as bathes of cooling solutions soaked into cloth or paper towels or cold compresses wrapped with them. Swelling is caused by heat from laser treatment causing your pores to open up, filling them up with dead skin cells, dirt and bacteria that your body cannot easily eliminate and creating pus-filled bumps on treated areas that your body attempts to rid itself of by creating pus-filled bubbles; during this period it’s important that no picking or scratching of bumps occur as this could scar or cause infections to emerge resulting in scars becoming infected and scars being left behind or worse affecting results in scars becoming infected scarred permanently resulting in scarring or infections occurring elsewhere on treated areas being left alone!
After receiving laser treatment, itching and redness may occur, with symptoms typically subsiding within hours or so on their own. If these persist beyond this timeline, cooling lotion or topical 1% hydrocortisone cream might provide some temporary relief.
After having undergone laser therapy, it is important not to rub the area, as this may irritate and worsen the healing process and reddening. You should also refrain from wearing makeup or deodorant and only use moisturizer as necessary; hot showers/baths, saunas, Jacuzzis can irritate skin further; it is wise not to swim in lakes/rivers/pools that contain high chlorine concentrations as these will only irritate more!
Once laser treatments have taken place, you should also be wary of UV rays from sunlight. UV rays can extend healing processes while exacerbating any swelling or itching that might exist. It’s wise to stay out of direct sunlight by wearing protective gear like hats and sunglasses when outdoors.
Not only should you follow these tips, but you should also keep in mind that healing processes vary for various skin tones. Therefore, it’s crucial that you choose an experienced practitioner familiar with treating various colors of skin to ensure optimal and safe results from laser treatment.
Itching
After laser treatment, itching is common but should subside within several days after the procedure. Itching may be more apparent on certain areas (legs or bikini line area). Itchy skin often results from irritation caused by laser light; this irritation causes your body to release histamine which in turn causes redness, swelling and itching around the treatment site.
Avoid scratching or picking at itchy skin as this could aggravate it and lead to inflammation, while sunlight exposure, hot showers, saunas and hot tubs could exacerbate itching and redness further. When selecting an aftersun product with low fragrance like aloe vera or noncomedogenic aftersun products can also help. Attempts at relieving itching with these remedies often fail but there are other strategies available as well that might help.
If you are suffering from itchy skin and are uncertain why, consult with a dermatologist to identify the root causes and find solutions to soothe them. They will be able to identify potential issues and suggest treatment plans tailored specifically for you.
Hair follicle swelling, or edema, is a side effect of laser hair removal that typically lasts only 30 minutes but may be uncomfortable and itchy. A thin layer of hydrocortisone cream or calamine lotion will provide temporary relief and help reduce swelling.
Acne and pimples are another side effect of laser hair removal that should not be underestimated. They occur as a result of your pores opening after laser treatment, becoming clogged up with dead skin cells, bacteria and debris clogs that lead to itchy bumps and acne formation. You can help avoid breakouts by forgoing over-the-counter acne medications as well as limiting exfoliation post treatment.
Some individuals may experience itching as a side effect of histamine reactions caused by laser treatment. If your itching is accompanied by redness, swelling and hives, take an over-the-counter antihistamine such as Benadryl or Zyrtec to relieve its symptoms; cool compresses or soothing creams/gels may also provide temporary relief from itching. Itching may also indicate infection such as folliculitis – so if sudden itching begins occurring contact your physician immediately for evaluation and diagnosis.
Discomfort
Although laser treatments are generally safe, they may cause discomfort – particularly if performed on sensitive skin areas of your face or body. You can reduce this discomfort by applying a cooling compress or cream after treatment to the area in question; furthermore it would be wise to refrain from taking hot showers or baths for several days after having had laser treatment to avoid irritating your skin and cause burning and itching sensations.
After laser treatments, itching and redness is to be expected; however, it’s essential not to scratch at irritated areas, which could worsen irritation and possibly result in scarring. Instead, use a gentle cleanser such as soap to gently cleanse these spots while applying cooling cream or an ice pack can also help relieve swelling and itching.
Some patients experiencing laser treatments may notice small white or red bumps following laser therapy; these bumps are an expected part of healing and should dissipate within hours on their own. If a large number of bumps emerge after laser treatments, taking an antihistamine or topical steroid medication might help.
After receiving laser hair removal treatments, your skin may feel flaky afterward due to the heat from the laser opening your pores and allowing debris to clog them, potentially leading to acne breakouts or pimples. For best results when it comes to acne breakouts or pimples, waxing or plucking are better methods of hair removal than laser treatments.
Laser treatments may cause rare but serious side effects; for instance, herpes should be disclosed prior to receiving laser treatments around the mouth; antiviral medication should also be taken prior and after laser treatments as a preventative measure.
At all times, it is crucial to wear broad-spectrum sunscreen daily and follow the aftercare recommendations of your physician. In order to decrease complications caused by laser treatments, it may also be advantageous to space them out over several weeks or months to minimize risks of complications.
