If you suspect an outbreak of herpes near the mouth or genital area, it’s essential that laser treatment be rescheduled immediately. Herpes spreads easily via kissing, oral/anal sex and skin-to-skin contact.
Laser hair removal can provide permanent solutions to unwanted body hair and pigmentation issues like folliculitis, eliminating the need for depilation, waxing and shaving. Unfortunately, however, herpes patients may fear laser treatment may damage the surface of their skin and trigger herpes reactivation.
Herpes Simplex Type 1 (HSV-1)
HSV-1 is the most prevalent herpes virus, infecting one out of every two Americans aged 14-49. Typically affecting mouth and lips with cold sores, HSV-1 also can affect genitalia and rectum areas causing sores. HSV-1 spreads by direct contact or sharing utensils such as toothbrushes or eating utensils with someone already infected – or it can even spread via saliva droplets from infected individuals who share toothbrushes or eating utensils among infected individuals.
Even though herpes is associated with shame and embarrassment, it should not be seen as something to be ashamed of – many people unknowingly carry herpes virus!
HSV-1 outbreaks typically begin with an uncomfortable tingling or itching sensation that gradually turns red before developing a fluid-filled blister, which eventually bursts and scabs over. HSV-1 may also affect your fingers by infecting them with herpetic whitlow, sometimes misdiagnosed as paronychia or periungual herpes; in reality this herpes infection often affects fingernail follicles causing painful swelling as well as repeated infections.
Some people with herpes will never experience symptoms, referred to as asymptomatic herpes. Others experience occasional outbreaks with sores or blisters referred to as herpes labialis, herpes simplex genitals or herpes koebner. Herpes can spread into the brain and spinal cord (herpes encephalitis), leading to headaches, fever, stiff neck, vomiting and light sensitivity – it can even infiltrate eyes causing herpetic keratitis or ocular herpes.
Herpes can be diagnosed by visiting your healthcare provider. He or she may conduct tests for antibodies specific to herpes if sores or blisters develop, with positive results signalling past infection with it and your body producing antibodies against it. Your healthcare provider can also perform PCR tests – more specific tests which confirm whether or not you have herpes are available as well.
Although herpes is incurable, antiviral medications may help lessen its severity and prevent outbreaks. You can either self-prescribe the medication yourself or have it prescribed from a healthcare professional; typically though they recommend postponing sexual activity until sores have healed completely.
Herpes Simplex Type 2 (HSV-2)
Herpes simplex virus (HSV) is a viral infection that can lead to both genital and oral herpes in people. People living with HSV may experience outbreaks or periods without symptoms; its transmission occurs through direct contact between infected individuals (including toothbrushes and utensils), intimate sexual activity and kissing as well as through needles contaminated with HSV or even through blood donation; once introduced into the body it remains there for life; some choose not to treat their condition at all while living asymptomatically while others take antiviral medications to shorten outbreaks or decrease length and severity when outbreaks do occur.
Herpes outbreaks typically appear two to two weeks post sexual exposure and begin with a tingling sensation and groups of small red bumps that turn into fluid-filled blisters, then rupture into open sores which become very painful and itchy; people suffering from herpes simplex type 1 may also experience this initial stage, along with sores forming around their mouth and throat area.
An individual with herpes can take steps to help prevent further outbreaks by receiving the herpes vaccine, though this will not protect against future outbreaks or reduce severity. It does however significantly decrease viral load and the frequency and severity of outbreaks that do occur. Acyclovir comes in pill, cream and ointment forms; other antivirals used to treat herpes include famciclovir and valacyclovir; these work best when taken within 48 hours after first sign of symptoms appearing; daily dosing decreases frequency and severity of outbreaks significantly.
Women are more susceptible to herpes than men, and the risk increases with age. Herpes can be spread via oral secretions or sores on the skin and by kissing, sharing cups or utensils and towels and even childbirth itself. Furthermore, those with compromised immune systems such as HIV patients or those taking immunosuppressive drugs are at increased risk of contracting herpes genitally.
Cold Sores
Cold sores are fluid-filled blisters that appear on or around the mouth and lips, as well as on other parts of the face such as nose or chin. Cold sores are caused by herpes simplex virus (HSV); HSV-1 most frequently causes oral herpes while HSV-2 typically causes genital herpes. Although not contagious, they can spread through skin-to-skin contact (e.g. kissing).
Cold sore outbreaks typically begin with tingling sensations or itching sensations which soon advance to produce painful fluid-filled blisters. Over time these ruptured blisters form yellow crusted blisters before breaking open to reveal red skin beneath. Cold sores tend to affect those with weak immune systems such as those living with HIV, those receiving organ transplantation treatment or those receiving chemotherapy treatment for cancer treatment more than other people.
Herpes cannot be cured, but antiviral medicines may help shorten its duration during an outbreak. Antiviral creams and ointments containing either aciclovir, famciclovir or valaciclovir may be available over-the-counter and should be applied as soon as the first sign of tingling occurs to prevent an outbreak.
Use over-the-counter medicines like paracetamol (acetaminophen), ibuprofen and benzocaine to manage pain from cold sores. You can either take these orally, or apply a cream directly onto the sores several times each day.
Avoiding triggers is key to avoiding an outbreak, including sunlight, cold weather, viral infections (like colds or flus), emotional stress, physical activity or hormonal changes. Furthermore, sharing items which have touched saliva such as cups or cutlery should also be avoided to protect from future outbreaks.
If cold sores cannot be avoided altogether, symptoms can be decreased by washing hands frequently and not touching them directly. Kissing or engaging in oral sex during an outbreak should also be avoided to limit further complications, along with sharing toothbrushes, flannels, towels razors or cold sore cream with others. Finally, washing hands after using the bathroom as well as avoiding eating foods which contain highly acidic components can also help.
Pregnancy
Laser hair removal involves using a laser to target hair follicles that produce unwanted hair, then damaging them using laser heat so that no new growth emerges from them. Treatment sessions may be necessary and costs vary from clinic to clinic; most offices provide payment plans; unfortunately most health insurance plans don’t cover this procedure.
Before seeking laser hair removal, it is important to discuss your medical history with a healthcare provider and avoid tanning beds and sun exposure for at least several weeks before beginning treatments, as these activities could reduce skin receptivity to laser light. Furthermore, you should shave the area prior to receiving laser light treatments.
If you have genital herpes, laser hair removal should be postponed until cold sore outbreaks or other symptoms have subsided or have stopped appearing regularly. Furthermore, pregnant and breastfeeding women should avoid laser treatments which increase the risk of hyperpigmentation or permanent scarring during these times as these procedures increase the likelihood of complications such as hyperpigmentation or permanent scarring occurring as a result.
At laser hair removal treatments, your doctor will apply a hand-held instrument against the area requiring treatment, using either cooling gel or cooling tips on its end to protect and soothe skin while helping reduce discomfort. When the laser emits its pulse of light it feels similar to snapping rubber bands against skin cells, and causes hair follicles to stop producing hair altogether – similar to how mild sunburn feels after being treated by sunlight.
Your dermatologist will discuss how often to shave or wax after laser treatment to minimize side effects and risks. Be sure to follow all instructions provided prior to and post-treatment to minimize risks of side effects.
After multiple laser treatment sessions, many people experience a decrease in hair growth. When new growth returns after treatment it tends to be lighter and thinner compared to before; although it could take months or even years for it to return thickly again.
