Folliculitis is an often-experienced side effect of laser hair removal; fortunately, however, it can be treated.
Foliculitis, commonly referred to as Foliculariasis, can be identified by red bumps, pus-filled blisters, or itchiness on the scalp. It is typically caused by bacteria, ingrown hairs or inflammation in the area where symptoms first appeared.
Folliculitis after laser hair removal should be treated immediately as it can lead to deeper scarring and permanent hair loss if left unmanaged. In this blog post we will explore effective strategies for dealing with Folliculitis post laser treatment.
Causes
Folliculitis after laser hair removal can occur for any number of reasons. An open cut or scrape that allows bacteria to enter the skin could be one source of infection; another reason could be ingrown hairs after laser treatment and irritation from treatment itself. Folliculitis may also be caused by some medications – lithium, oral corticosteroids or certain viruses like herpes; also fungal infections like tinea or ringworm may develop, while conditions like diabetes or chronic leukemia decrease resistance against infections and can contribute to its development.
Health care providers can usually identify folliculitis by simply looking at your bumps and taking note of their symptoms, in addition to gathering your medical history. Swabbing may also be done in order to isolate the cause.
If folliculitis is due to a bacterial infection, your doctor may prescribe antibiotic ointment or pills. They might also suggest minor surgery if it has become an open sore that drains pus and relieves pain as the area heals.
Other treatments for diaper rash include warm compresses, aloe vera and tea tree oil soap, lotions that don’t clog pores, sharing personal care items (razors or towels) with others and not rubbing the area directly. You may also use anti-itch creams to reduce itching and discomfort as the area heals.
Folliculitis may resolve on its own without further treatment; however, if it’s severe and spreads over large areas of the body or keeps reappearing repeatedly, seeking medical help immediately should be a top priority. A health care provider may prescribe antibiotics to control infection and avoid further outbreaks; while you can help protect follicles by shaving in the direction of hair growth using an electric razor and not scrubbing or exfoliating areas around where folliculitis outbreaks have taken place. Laser treatment could also provide relief; in case this doesn’t work out for you, laser therapy might provide another viable option.
Symptoms
Folliculitis can be extremely uncomfortable. Mild cases usually clear up within 7-10 days without needing medical intervention; however, more serious and persistent folliculitis cases caused by damaged hair follicles or bacteria infections may require prescription drugs or other forms of treatment.
Folliculitis is a skin condition characterized by tiny red or pink bumps that resemble pimples on the surface of the skin, typically on areas such as the face, arms and legs. If left untreated these bumps can become inflamed and become boils or carbuncles containing pus that is so painful to touch they develop a hard crust over them – leaving painful blisters filled with pus that require draining by making a small incision into a lesion in order to release its contents; helping both reduce pain while speed up recovery times.
Pseudomonas-related folliculitis is more often seen in hot tubs or heated pools and those who frequent these locations frequently can become susceptible. Treating this form of folliculitis may prove more challenging due to potential scarring issues; permanent scarring should always be considered when treating any form of folliculitis.
Folliculitis comes in many forms; one such form is follicular unit cysts – small fluid-filled lumps on the skin with pits or craters at their centers that can occur anywhere on the body but more frequently on faces and chests. These cysts usually result from blocked hair follicles causing inflammation or itching and this form also commonly affects people living with HIV or late stage AIDS.
Home remedies may help reduce discomfort associated with laser hair removal by soothing symptoms of folliculitis. This includes applying warm compresses three to four times daily, taking anti-inflammatory medication, and using moisturizers to keep skin hydrated. If more serious cases of folliculitis arise, consulting with a dermatologist to treat it and destroy any problematic hair follicles while helping minimize scarring as a result of it will likely be the best course of action.
Treatment
When folliculitis arises, there are various treatments available to manage it effectively. Most are intended to decrease inflammation, treat any associated bacterial or fungal infections and help avoid scar formation.
Folliculitis is usually not serious skin condition; however, if it spreads to large parts of your body or comes back frequently it is essential that you visit a dermatologist immediately for treatment and prevention. Your physician may prescribe topical antibiotic ointment, antifungal medication or oral antibiotics in order to control and alleviate symptoms associated with your condition.
Laser hair removal can be an effective solution to help those with sensitive skin reduce recurrent folliculitis as it destroys hair follicles permanently, leaving no place for bacteria or fungus to latch onto and cause infections. Laser therapy is used on areas such as the face, neck and body where folliculitis typically appears.
Other methods for treating folliculitis may include keeping the affected area clean, using over-the-counter anti-itch creams to alleviate itching and discomfort, and cleansing twice a day with gentle cleanser to minimize irritation.
As shaving and waxing can irritate and block hair follicles, which in turn becomes blocked with dirt, dead skin cells, hairs, infection and inflammation; other methods of hair removal like plucking and threading may also exacerbate folliculitis symptoms.
If folliculitis becomes severe, it can lead to painful, pus-filled blisters called cysts or papules which are difficult to remove due to red and swollen lesions on your skin. Sometimes the cysts rupture spontaneously leaving red scarring while other times the swollen lumps must be drained by a dermatologist.
If folliculitis is due to a bacterial infection, antibiotics may help clear it and limit further inflammation and scarring. A dermatologist may prescribe Doxycycline or Minocycline in order to keep infections at bay while other antibiotics will treat current ones.
Prevention
Folliculitis after laser hair removal can be avoided with just a few simple steps. These include not shaving, plucking or waxing the area for at least several days prior to treatment in order to allow hair follicles time to recover and avoid being irritated. Furthermore, daily application of high SPF and broad spectrum sunscreen should also help protect your skin against sun damage.
Antibiotics or antifungal medication is also useful in treating infection; these can either be taken orally or applied topically. More severe cases, known as deep folliculitis, require medical intervention as the hair follicle becomes infected with bacteria – similar to boils or carbuncles but possibly more painful.
Avoiding heat and sweating can help lower the risk of an outbreak. It’s best to opt for cooler showers, baths, saunas and steam rooms and exercise in cool or tepid temperatures when exercising; additionally it is vital that your scalp stays clean by only using mild shampoos and conditioners.
Light therapy or phototherapy, another effective form of skin treatment available from plastic surgeons, uses different wavelengths of light to kill acne-causing bacteria and reduce inflammation. It can either be performed in their office or at home using special equipment.
Corticosteroid Creams: Plastic surgeons may prescribe corticosteroid creams to lessen inflammation caused by folliculitis and treat any associated infections like fungus or yeast that have taken root under your scalp.
Draining Boils or Carbuncles: If the infected follicle has developed into a boil or carbuncle, healthcare providers may perform minor surgery to drain its pus and relieve pain and discomfort while speeding healing time and decreasing chances of scarring. This can speed up healing while decreasing scarring risk.
Many people find the easiest way to prevent recurrent folliculitis is with permanent hair reduction treatments like laser hair removal. Laser technology works to destroy problem hair follicles without harming surrounding tissues and thus lower the risk of future outbreaks. If folliculitis has become a persistent problem for you, consider seeking laser hair removal at a medically run clinic as one way out.
