As soon as a burn occurs, usually you will know immediately; however, in some cases your skin might not feel hot until later. To ensure proper care is taken following any laser treatments administered by beauty salons or laser practitioners, contact the establishment immediately and request to speak to the laser practitioner who treated you.
Your doctor will likely advise you to cool the burn and avoid popping blisters as this could lead to infection. They may provide you with a burns care kit or ointment as a preventive measure.
1. Cool the Skin
Laser hair removal burns occur when laser light is exposed for too long to the skin, converting its energy to heat that damages not only hair follicles but also surrounding tissue. Most treatment providers use cooling gel during procedures in order to minimize risk; however, even this may not always prevent burns during laser hair removal procedures as many practitioners lack experience or training required for performing them successfully.
Laser hair removal burns can occur if your skin has not been appropriately prepared prior to treatment. It is essential that sunless skin bleaching creams that darken skin are avoided as well as shaving the area being treated several days in advance of any procedure; plucking, waxing and electrolysis should also be avoided in this area of treatment.
After laser hair removal, the skin may feel hot or swelled up; this is normal but can be uncomfortable, and over-the-counter pain relievers such as Tylenol may help alleviate it. Furthermore, it is wise to limit exposure to sunlight or tanning beds immediately post treatment in order to minimize discomfort.
If a patient experiences burning during their laser hair removal treatment, they should inform the practitioner immediately in order to adjust settings before any areas become damaged. If a client is dissatisfied with their level of care at their clinic after suffering a laser burn, they should reach out directly to their clinic’s medical director so they may discuss any concerns that have been brought forth regarding it.
When a blister appears on the skin, it should never be broken open as this may lead to infection and cause scarring. Any additional heat treatments should also be avoided until after healing has taken place. If a person feels their skin is not healing as expected they should consult a dermatologist for additional treatments – these could include applying topical cream containing Vitamin C and other skin-repairing elements to improve appearance as well as possibly forgoing tanning beds and artificial UV sources in future.
2. Apply Ointment
As laser hair removal uses heat energy to destroy hair follicles, it may result in burn-like reactions on the skin that range from mild reddening and small bumps to more serious swelling of blistered areas. No matter their severity, treating burns correctly is critical in order to minimize scarring or other complications that could occur as a result.
As soon as treatment has concluded, it is crucial to use cold water or wetted washclothes with cool water on affected skin for several minutes or using cooling creams that contain aloe vera, an effective healing agent found at most drugstores, to soothe and reduce pain and swelling. These solutions should be administered immediately.
If the skin remains swollen or painful, taking an OTC anti-inflammatory such as Tylenol may provide relief. Also important is protecting it with high SPF sunscreen to avoid further exposure; and avoid harsh cleansers or exfoliants as these can irritate sensitive skin and make matters worse.
Blisters that occur after laser hair removal usually subside within a week without intervention from doctors, though if they become bothersome the physician may prescribe an antibiotic ointment with triple antibiotic properties to avoid further infections and preserve new skin tissue that’s developing underneath. It’s important not to pop these blisters as doing so could spread infection further and harm any new cells growing beneath.
Burned blisters may develop into acne due to heat from burns opening up pores. Treatment with topical antibiotic ointment may help, however it’s best not to pick at them or pick at their marks as this could further damage skin cells and result in scarring.
If the laser hair removal burn is severe, medical attention must be sought immediately. A doctor may prescribe medications suited for different degrees of burns including antibiotics and painkillers; in more extreme cases it may require skin grafting surgery in order to repair damaged skin.
3. Wrap the Wound
Laser hair removal can be a highly effective treatment for unwanted body hair removal, yet misused could result in burns, permanent changes to skin color and scarring. To minimize side effects it is vital that patients visit an experienced dermatologist or beauty salon that has experience performing laser treatments properly and trained staff, with FDA-approved devices that are properly maintained and safe. It is also wise to shave any areas to be treated 24 hours prior to each laser session in order to reduce chances of singed hair during laser sessions.
Laser hair removal burns often result from excessive laser contact without adequate cooling, often leading to first-degree burns ranging from mild reddening and swelling of blisters on the skin. Another frequent cause is when gel used to cool skin before treatment didn’t dry fully; melanin in this gel could compete with that found within hair follicles and cause further burns.
Last but not least, it is crucial to remain aware of any preexisting conditions that might make your skin more sensitive to laser hair removal treatment. Psoriasis and dermatitis are among the many skin issues which could worsen with laser exposure; those with dark or tanned skin may be particularly at risk as melanin in their skin competes with melanin in hair to absorb light energy more readily.
After suffering a laser hair removal burn, it’s vital that immediate first aid measures are taken immediately. This should include applying cold water directly over the wound in order to soothe skin inflammation and decrease swelling, and avoid applying any greasy or occlusive ointments which trap in heat and lead to further damage. Furthermore, try covering affected area from sun exposure in order to minimize further injuries; additionally it may be prudent to seek medical advice in more serious cases.
4. Seek Medical Attention
If your skin appears discolored after laser hair removal, it’s wise to seek medical advice immediately. This is especially important if the clinic that provided your treatment did not employ medically-run clinics; in these instances a physician can assess your skin to ensure no serious burn occurred and prescribe topical remedies which will speed recovery time.
Should your skin not heal correctly, this could result in permanent scarring. Therefore, it is critical that laser treatments be conducted by only licensed and experienced practitioners. A physician should be available for questions regarding safety of laser treatment as well as to address concerns regarding recovery timeframe.
Some laser practitioners require you to shave before their session in order to remove hair above the surface of the skin. Unfortunately, shaving can create small blisters, which can disrupt the healing process for laser hair removal. It is best not to pop these blisters as this could potentially cause infection; only use an antibacterial ointment on them if instructed by your laser practitioner or physician.
Once the ointment has been applied to the wound, you should cover it loosely with gauze or cotton wool to allow proper circulation and speed healing. Avoid tight wraps as these restrict circulation and slow healing time. Also try not to use occlusive or greasy ointments as these may trap heat in and damage skin further.
Laser hair removal burns may begin to fade within several days; however, full healing could take several months depending on their severity and location on your body. More severely burned individuals may require medical treatment along with prescription medication to heal their wounds more effectively.
