Laser hair removal involves applying a laser beam to an area of skin. While lasers can sometimes cause itching, pink skin or redness on contact, usually this symptom dissipates quickly while any associated redness and swelling can be reduced with cool compresses or regular bathing of the area in question.
Laser technology safely destroys active growth phase hair follicles. People with darker skin may experience lightening of skin color.
1. Irritation
Laser hair removal works by targeting and dissolving the follicles that produce hair. This causes your skin to react, sometimes in ways such as reddening and tenderness or feeling itchy; other side effects include bumpy or uneven patches on your body. Most side effects will fade quickly with time – if they persist however, apply cooling gel directly or take over-the-counter pain medications like Tylenol for relief.
Laser hair removal involves having your practitioner press a handheld device against the area to be treated. You may feel pinpricks or rubber band snapping against your skin as this occurs; most handhelds come equipped with cooling devices or cool gel to minimize laser’s effects and protect your skin during each treatment session, lasting anywhere from several minutes up to an hour depending on its size and area to be treated; you might smell smoke during treatment, which is perfectly normal.
As your skin heals, avoid exposure to sunlight as this may cause discoloration. Use at least SPF 30 sunscreen. Also try cream containing aloe vera or 1% hydrocortisone which may provide relief from irritation, itching, redness or itchy patches on the skin.
Before undergoing laser hair removal, consult with your physician or dermatologist about any preexisting medical conditions that might increase your risk. For instance, pregnant women should wait to get laser treatments until after giving birth before having laser treatment done on target areas; similarly those suffering from keloid scarring or other skin healing issues might need to delay laser treatments in certain areas; those with darker complexions must also be wary as there’s always the risk that laser won’t be as effective and could lead to burns.
2. Redness
Laser hair removal treatments may cause redness and irritation following treatment, which is a normal reaction and should subside within hours or so; for sensitive skin types it could last longer; to keep hydrated use a soothing moisturizer regularly to keep skin supple – this may prevent side effects like scarring.
Laser hair removal causes redness due to heat absorbed by hair follicles, which opens them up and exposes them to bacteria and other irritants. You can reduce this effect by applying cool compresses or applying ice immediately following your procedure and refraining from picking at or rubbing scabs that form; excessive scratching could lead to infection as well as worsening pain levels.
Sun exposure should be minimized after laser hair removal treatments, ideally for two weeks after each session. Apply a sunscreen with at least an SPF 30 and keep the area as covered as possible during this period.
Some individuals may notice their skin has changed after laser hair removal. This is a normal occurrence that typically fades within several months; if you’re concerned, speak to your practitioner or doctor about it immediately.
Laser hair removal often causes discomfort. This discomfort is often brought on by the intense heat generated by laser treatment and feels similar to being stung, or rubber bands snapping against their skin. To ease any such sensations, pain medication should be used. For maximum effectiveness take an over-the-counter anti-anxiety drug.
3. Scarring
Laser hair removal can provide an effective solution to many of the skin conditions caused by unwanted hair growth, including folliculitis and discoloration. Unfortunately, however, it can also result in scarring. People considering this form of treatment must locate a practitioner with proven experience who adheres to all pre and post treatment instructions carefully.
Scarred skin should wait at least four months after healing before beginning laser hair removal treatments, as scars can be especially vulnerable to heat exposure from laser treatments and can become inflamed when exposed to laser light. A cooling device should be used to reduce discomfort. In addition, the scarred area should be moisturized regularly and UVA/UVB protection should always be worn when outdoors if possible.
Infection is another risk associated with laser hair removal, so if any are present prior to receiving laser therapy. A physician or nurse should administer any necessary treatments prior to their session. Patients must be aware that certain infections like herpes can worsen in response to laser therapy treatment.
After receiving laser hair removal treatments, acne may develop on the skin as pores become clogged with dead cells from laser sessions. A triple antibiotic ointment may help clear this up; to maintain clear pores it is also important for patients to exfoliate regularly after laser sessions and use gentle moisturizers such as Echinacea cream.
Rarely, blisters and crusting may form following laser treatments. This typically happens in cases when sunlight exposure occurs too soon post procedure and among individuals with darker skin tones.
4. Infections
Laser hair removal involves having a specialist place a handheld device against your skin and press it with their laser device, activating its light to target and destroy specific hair follicles. After treatment, your skin may feel tender or even appear slightly swollen – these side effects should subside over time and ice packs may help accelerate healing in certain areas.
If you are prone to infections, make sure your dermatologist knows about this before scheduling laser treatments. They may prescribe an antibacterial cream to keep infection at bay until your skin heals itself. Some individuals have reported experiencing blisters as a side effect of overzealous laser treatment which attempts to remove too much hair in one session.
Laser hair removal can occasionally leave permanent scars and discolorations behind, with the risk increasing if using at-home kits or visiting unqualified practitioners. Furthermore, it’s wise to avoid direct sunlight after your sessions as exposure could worsen any adverse side effects.
Laser hair removal can be an excellent way to manage unwanted hair growth. But you should keep in mind that it won’t guarantee permanent results; your hair could come back later. For optimal results, seek treatment from a certified clinic. To do so successfully, conduct an online search and read reviews from past patients before making your appointment with one. For maximum efficiency, ask about their experience and type of training they’ve received as well as references from satisfied customers who’ve undergone laser hair removal with them.
5. Discoloration
Hair color and skin tone play an integral role in the success of laser hair removal. In an ideal scenario, the pigment of the hair absorbs laser light without damaging surrounding tissue, while tanning or darker tones are more vulnerable. Therefore, special consideration must be taken in selecting an appropriate laser setting for each patient; especially important if being used on facial areas as it could leave permanent “burn marks.”
Some patients may experience crusting of their treated area, which may range from minor to serious and can lead to scarring or scabbing. Crusting occurs due to pus, blood, dried sebum or bacteria at the site combining. By keeping the affected area clean and moisturised as much as possible will speed up its healing.
Laser hair removal causes the skin to experience a pinprick sensation and some individuals might experience mild discomfort; numbing cream and cooling gel used before the procedure help reduce pain significantly, typically being completed within minutes for smaller areas and more than an hour for larger ones. After treatment, redness may persist for hours or even days; to soothe this side-effect use a cold compress with cool moisturizer – both can provide quick relief!
Before beginning laser hair removal treatments, it is crucial that a comprehensive pre-procedure evaluation, including an in-depth medical history review and review of any conditions which cause excessive hair growth such as hirsutism. Furthermore, patients should be advised by their doctor that multiple sessions will likely be needed to achieve maximum effectiveness of treatment.
