Laser hair removal is generally safe, though side effects such as burns can arise and be painful.
Minimize side-effects by avoiding tanning and self-tanners as well as using skincare products compatible with laser treatment, and attending sessions at clinics that are medically run.
1. Cool the area with ice
Laser hair removal burns may require first aid measures that should be taken quickly after they occur, the key one being notifying your beauty center and informing them what has occurred. They will assess the severity of your burn based on appearance and symptoms to help determine whether basic care will suffice or additional specific treatments will need to be administered.
As soon as your skin has been burnt, the first step should be cooling the affected area with cold compress or ice encased in a cloth – this will reduce pain and swelling while soothing any itching that arises from it. Repeat these steps several times each day until the burning and itching cease.
As hot water can exacerbate an already sensitive area of skin, avoiding using it on burned areas should also be avoided to minimize further irritation. Wearing clothing that fits tightly over them could also irritate them further by rubbing together and further irritating burns. For maximum effectiveness and pain reduction take anti-inflammatories like Ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) or naproxen (Aleve).
If your burns are severe, medical attention must be sought immediately. A physician can prescribe creams or ointments that will aid healing while decreasing scarring; surgery may even be required depending on their severity.
There are steps that you can take to protect against laser hair removal burns before they arise. When choosing a beauty center and having procedures done by professionals, as well as avoiding sun exposure prior to and post treatment.
Your hair removal methods, including plucking, waxing or electrolysis should not interfere with laser treatments as these may reduce their efficacy. Informing a specialist if you have preexisting conditions like eczema, psoriasis or rosacea could increase the risk of injury from laser procedures.
2. Apply aloe vera
Laser hair removal burns can be alleviated with cooling gel or aloe vera applications to the affected area. Aloe vera, as a natural moisturizer rich in vitamins and minerals, helps heal scarred skin faster while simultaneously decreasing redness and swelling in burned areas. You should apply thin layers of aloe vera several times each day until healing has occurred.
As soon as the burns have healed, any hair removal efforts, including shaving and other forms of removal should cease in the area affected. Any form of hair removal which damages skin such as waxing or plucking must also be avoided – shaving is the safest choice when it comes to unwanted hair removal. In addition, when outdoors you should strive to limit sun exposure or use high SPF sunscreen when outdoors.
At home, mild laser hair removal burns can often be treated effectively, however for severe burns it’s wise to consult a doctor in order to receive professional assistance and possible prevent infections by prescribing antibiotic creams or even prescribed medicine to aid healing and help alleviate discomfort.
For advice on treating a laser hair removal burn, reach out to your beauty center. Ideally, select a clinic where a board certified physician in dermatology or cosmetic surgery offers laser treatments – also be wary of centers that employ nonmedical personnel in providing these treatments.
Once your burns have healed, be sure to continue taking excellent care with the skin. Avoid hot showers, baths and saunas as well as tight-fitting clothing to prevent irritation; additionally use broad spectrum sunscreen with SPF 30+ when outdoors.
After treatment, it is normal to experience bumps or redness in the affected area, and usually go away on their own. You can try applying a cold compress to reduce swelling and redness or taking an anti-inflammatory pain reliever like paracetamol or ibuprofen to ease discomfort.
3. Apply a topical antimicrobial ointment
Laser hair removal is an increasingly popular method to eliminate unwanted hair, as it is both safe and effective when performed correctly. Unfortunately, however, some individuals may suffer burns during laser hair removal sessions which can be painful and disfiguring; if this has happened to you then please seek medical assistance immediately.
Burns are most frequently seen in areas with thin skin, typically caused by prolonged contact between laser light and the skin without proper cooling. Tanned skin may also cause hyper/hypopigmentation after laser use as the laser targets darker pigments present and could result in hyper/hypopigmentation of its own.
To prevent laser hair removal burns, it is best to shave 24 hours prior to any appointment. In addition, tanning, waxing and electrolysis treatments should be avoided prior to laser hair removal as these can make the skin photosensitive; antibiotics may make this worse as they make your skin even more photosensitive than usual; avoid vitamin E and fish oils prior to laser hair removal sessions and do not take ASA (Aspirin) two weeks beforehand.
Laser hair removal works by using light energy to heat follicles that produce unwanted hair growth, effectively eliminating their source of nourishment. Unfortunately, however, this method may cause irreparable harm to surrounding skin tissue as well.
Some individuals experiencing laser hair removal may experience skin irritation or burning sensations; these should subside within a few days after treatment has taken place. A cool compress and/or over-the-counter pain relievers should help relieve any discomfort; for more severe laser hair removal burns it is wiser to seek medical advice immediately.
Scarring after laser hair removal burns may be challenging to eradicate, but there are steps you can take at home to accelerate healing. Applying aloe vera gel directly on burned areas will help moisturize and soothe them; also avoid picking at or popping any blisters which form, as this could lead to infection.
If you have experienced laser hair removal burns due to professional negligence, you may be entitled to file a claim for compensation. We invite you to get in touch with us now so we can show you how you can claim for what is due to you!
4. Trim dead skin
Laser hair removal burns can be very uncomfortable, yet they typically heal fairly quickly with proper treatments applied. To ease discomfort, cold compresses should be placed directly onto the burns in order to reduce swelling, and aloe vera should also be applied directly on top for painkilling purposes and healing benefits. It’s also wise to stay out of direct sunlight which could worsen burns; instead wear wide-brimmed hats or scarves for protection and take over-the-counter pain relievers as necessary to alleviate pain relief.
Laser hair removal involves projecting a light beam onto the skin in order to target melanin pigment in hair follicles, then converting it to heat energy that destroys them and stops further hair growth. Even if they lie beneath the surface of skin, however, laser light exposure could still cause irreparable damage.
Laser hair removal burns can be caused by multiple factors. These include gel used as part of the treatment not drying completely before treating spots, as well as people with darker skin or newly tanned complexions who compete with melanin in their follicles to absorb light energy and lead to burns due to melanin competition between melanin cells in their skin and melanin in hair follicles for absorption of light energy from laser treatment.
Laser hair removal burns can leave behind permanent scarring that’s difficult to undo, known as post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation. Although difficult to reverse, steps can be taken to lessen its appearance. Sometimes the laser practitioner set too high of an intensity level for your individual situation or skin tone which leads to this side effect.
However, laser hair removal burns are relatively rare; those that do occur tend to be the result of malpractice by laser hair removal professionals, whether this involves not properly studying your skin type, using inappropriate settings for your tone or being negligent during treatment.
