Laser hair removal is a safe and effective solution to unwanted hair growth. Side effects, which are generally considered normal after laser treatments, may include itching, pink skin tone changes, redness or swelling near hair follicles.
Tips to mitigate its side effects may include taking steps such as avoiding hot showers and steam rooms for two days following treatment, applying soothing cream several times each day and applying a cooling compress regularly throughout the day. These strategies should help alleviate discomfort.
Itching
Laser hair removal often causes itching as an unwanted side effect, which may be especially bothersome in sensitive areas like legs and bikini line. Luckily, it should only last up to one day; home treatments using topical steroid cream will significantly decrease itching and scratching that could potentially leave unsightly scars behind.
Itchiness from laser treatment results from damage to your skin’s surface and hair follicles during laser therapy, with your immune system mistaking these irritated areas as infections; leading to red or pink discolorations which is often itchy.
Avoid tanning beds before and during laser hair removal treatments to provide additional pain relief, apply cold compresses to the area, take anti-inflammatory medication such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen, stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water, apply moisturizing gels or creams directly onto affected areas and apply cool compresses as an aid for comfort.
Another common source of itching associated with laser hair removal treatment can be an allergic reaction to either its heat or to any numbing cream used prior to your session. If you notice this type of itching, reach out to your practitioner and discuss all available solutions to treat it.
Laser hair removal involves having a technician apply a handheld device against your skin and activate a laser beam, producing sensations similar to being stung or snapping an elastic band against it, lasting from several minutes up to an hour depending on the area being treated. You might smell smoke and witness burning hair as the laser eliminates unwanted hair growth.
After laser hair removal, your skin may become red and swollen. It’s important to avoid applying too much pressure or picking at itchy bumps as this will only aggravate the situation further. Additionally, for six weeks post-treatment it would be wise to refrain from shaving, waxing, plucking or other forms of hair removal methods in the treated area.
Sometimes laser hair removal procedures may cause itching and bumps that are unrelated to histamine levels in your skin, such as an allergic reaction. You can try taking over-the-counter antihistamine medications such as Benadryl or Zyrtec for temporary relief; additionally avoid anything which triggers your allergies in future treatments.
Swelling
Laser hair removal is more effective than waxing or shaving for eliminating unwanted hair, and less invasive than electrolysis (the procedure involves inserting needles into individual hair follicles to destroy them). Like all forms of skincare treatments, however, laser hair removal may cause side effects, including redness, swelling and itching; though these should not last or be serious. To minimize reactions associated with laser hair removal sessions it’s best to be prepared and follow your physician’s instructions closely during treatments.
Your doctor will use a handheld laser instrument, protecting you with a cooling device or gel to minimize risks of complications and keep the process painless. Once activated, the laser sends an intense heat beam directly through your skin into the hair follicles where it causes permanent damage thereby stopping future hair growth.
As part of your procedure, you might feel several stings on your skin and smell smoke or burning hair as the laser damages follicles. The length of time may range anywhere from several minutes to one hour, depending on the size of the area being targeted.
After receiving laser hair removal treatments, it is wise to wear sunscreen with an SPF rating of 30 or greater in order to minimize perifollicular edema – which causes hair follicle swelling – from occurring. Perifollicular edema can result in itching and blemishes on your skin for several days afterwards; relief may be found through topical aloe vera or 1% hydrocortisone cream applications.
Swelling can be a common side effect of laser hair removal, so it’s important to be aware of how best to treat it. You can lower the risk of this reaction by limiting exposure to tanning beds, hot showers and baths, as well as applying cold compresses directly onto your skin.
No matter if you plan on having hair removed at home or in a clinic, consulting with an experienced dermatologist first is advised. Your dermatologist can recommend the appropriate type of laser treatment tailored specifically for your skin type and hair color as well as provide instructions before and after each session to reduce risk of reactions.
Redness
Your dermatologist may advise that until the redness has subsided, no other products should be applied directly onto your skin, including makeup and moisturizers, such as cosmetics. A cool compress or ice pack wrapped in cloth may help ease this side effect and take anti-inflammatory medication such as acetaminophen to combat pain and swelling that may arise; additionally, cool compresses can also be helpful. Until it does subside, try using cool compresses such as these before any additional products such as makeup or moisturizers until its effects have passed – dermatologists typically advises waiting before applying any products such as makeup or moisturizers; other wise, you could even try putting anything other than this on your skin such as makeup and moisturizers until its effects have passed – the sooner this way!
Your dermatologist will apply a hand-held laser instrument directly against the area where you want hair removed. This instrument may feature either cooling gel or cool device on its tip to safeguard skin integrity and reduce side effects.
Laser beams penetrate your skin to reach hair follicles, damaging and stopping their production of new hair follicles. This method works best on darker-colored hair since melanin reflects light beams from laser treatment sessions; to achieve optimal results it’s important that all sessions be completed successfully.
Expect to notice some results shortly after your first laser treatment session, although full results typically take several weeks for dead hairs to shed and reveal smoother skin. Exfoliation could help accelerate this process more rapidly by pushing dead hairs out more rapidly from areas treated by laser.
After laser hair removal, it’s also important to avoid exposure to direct sunlight as much as possible. Since laser beams target pigment, tanning skin may lead to permanent burns known as post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation – something which is difficult to reverse.
Your dermatologist may advise that you refrain from engaging in activities which raise the temperature of the body for at least two hours prior to laser hair removal, which could include sex and tanning sessions as well as physical activities like swimming. Your doctor might not be able to perform the procedure if you have dark or tanned skin; additionally, pools and lakes may contain bacteria and algae which could irritate it further.
Hives
If your skin becomes itchy after laser hair removal, resist the urge to scratch. Scratching can irritate and inflame it further, leaving red, swollen patches which can be quite painful. Instead, apply a cool compress directly to the affected area, or take an antihistamine such as diphenhydramine (Aler-Dryl) or hydroxyzine (Claritin). If itching persists take antihistamines such as diphenhydramine or histamine blockers such as diphenhydramine (Aler-Dryl) or histamine blockers such as diphenhydramine (Aler-Dryl) or histamine blockers such as diphenhydramine (Aler-Dryl) or histamine blockers such as diphenhydramine (Aler-Dryl) or histamine blockers such as diphenhydramine (Aler-Dryl) or histamine blockers such as diphenhydramine (Aler-Dryl) or hydroxyzine (Claritin).
Hives are another potential side effect of laser hair removal, while uncommon. Hives may cause great discomfort – so if they occur it’s essential that they notify their dermatologist as soon as possible as these symptoms could be related to allergies, medications or skin sensitivities.
Hives after laser hair removal could also be caused by an allergic reaction to the numbing solution or shaving gel used during treatment, particularly if they have moderate-to-severe environmental allergies. People with moderate-to-severe environmental allergies are at increased risk for experiencing such reactions after having laser hair removal done.
Laser treatments expose skin in the treatment area to intense heat from a laser, which damages or kills hair follicles so they cannot regrow, leading to red, itchy bumps. While these bumps may appear alarming at first, they will eventually go away on their own within several days.
Avoid hot showers and baths to protect the skin, avoid sun exposure and moisturizers may help ease itching and the formation of rashes.
Before and after laser hair removal, it’s also a wise idea to use a mild cleanser with a low pH level to minimize irritation and build-up of dead skin cells. If the rash worsens or spreads rapidly with fever symptoms, see your physician immediately – they may prescribe an antihistamine or another medication to address the symptoms; make sure you take it according to schedule; otherwise it could return. Antihistamines can be found over-the-counter; for optimal results consult a dermatologist regarding what works best.
