Laser hair removal works by heating and damaging pigment in the hair follicle, stopping new hair growth. It works best on people with darker hair and lighter skin because this allows the laser to quickly detect and damage unwanted hair growth.
Even with its risks, laser hair removal is generally safe when performed by a certified medical professional. Possible side effects may include redness, irritation and crusting of the skin.
Skin Irritation
After laser hair removal, it is normal for your skin to experience irritation for several hours after treatment. This discomfort typically fades quickly with moisturizer application to the affected area. Hot baths or showers, too much scrubbing or using harsh soaps could also exacerbate irritation symptoms. To keep irritation under control it’s advisable to keep moisturizing regularly with anti-irritant creams; otherwise these irritations could occur more severely.
Sensitive skin can increase the chances of irritation caused by laser hair removal treatments, so it is wise to visit a dermatologist when seeking laser treatments for hair removal. They will select an optimal laser for you based on their evaluation of your individual skin type as well as administer cooling devices in case any discomfort arises from using it improperly.
After receiving laser hair removal treatment, it is wise to limit sun exposure in order to protect your skin from hyperpigmentation or burns that could occur as the laser targets pigment in your skin. Direct sunlight exposure may lead to skin burns and hyperpigmentation so it is wise to take measures that will safeguard it post treatment.
Not only will technicians use cooling gel, but some also apply numbing cream before treating an area. While it doesn’t prevent all irritation, numbing cream can make your experience far more pleasant; however, some individuals are allergic to such creams which could further irritate.
Some individuals may experience side effects from laser hair removal such as rash or hives; these effects tend to only appear in highly sensitive individuals and should not be scratched upon. If they occur, try not scratching and taking corticosteroid tablets to ease symptoms and reduce them quickly.
As with any treatment, when seeking laser treatments it is always wise to visit a skilled, board-certified dermatologist. An experienced specialist knows which laser will best fit with your skin type, while helping manage expectations on what results to expect should the procedure not work as intended.
Redness
Laser hair removal works by directing a beam of light at hair follicles, which are then destroyed. The heat generated from this light transfers directly onto your skin, thus inhibiting future hair growth. However, this procedure may leave your skin red with an raised rash for several hours to several days following treatment – during this time period it is essential that sun exposure be limited and regular application of ice packs to reduce swelling and pain is used regularly to help soothe discomfort.
At each treatment session, your practitioner will use a handheld device with a cooling tip or gel that protects from the heat of laser and minimizes side effects. As soon as they activate it, you might feel either tingling sensations or series of small stings depending on what device they used and size of area being treated.
After treatment, your skin might appear red and swollen and you might also observe some crusting around the affected area. While this should subside quickly over time, to speed it along apply moisturiser to this area after each session. You may also notice temporary changes to its colour such as dark spots or lighter patches forming; these should fade with time but if concerned contact your physician.
Your doctor may suggest using topical medication to manage serious or persistent symptoms, such as redness and itchy skin. Doing it yourself could result in infection that will put your health at risk.
Crusting
Laser hair removal is more than simply getting rid of unwanted hair; it is a medical procedure requiring professional training to perform. People should select an experienced practitioner in order to avoid complications and possible side effects; test it first on a small area of skin to observe any adverse reactions from this treatment before scheduling their procedure. Common side effects may include irritation and redness in the treated area as well as crusting in that same spot or an alteration in skin color tone.
People undergoing laser hair removal may notice their treatment area drying out and forming crusts after treatment, usually minor but potentially leading to more serious results such as scarring. This issue could arise if the laser probe wasn’t kept at an adequate temperature during procedure – using moisturizing cream on this area could help avoid this happening again.
After laser hair removal treatments, the skin around the eyes may feel dry and sensitive for some time post-session; however, this condition should gradually improve over time as treatments continue. Itchiness may also occur after treatments; this usually subsides within hours.
Laser hair removal poses the rare risk of disrupting women’s menstrual cycles. While this usually does not impact most women, pregnant and breastfeeding mothers might be affected more significantly.
Laser hair removal could aggravate existing acne or lead to new breakouts due to damage done to follicles by laser light causing them to produce more hair than needed, leading to inflammation and more breakouts.
Laser hair removal is a safe, painless solution for unwanted hair removal. Compared to waxing, shaving or plucking it has no long-term health risks – however it should always be undertaken according to the advice of one’s dermatologist and they should consult a doctor should any concerns arise.
Doctors may suggest treating an affected area as though it were sunburnt to avoid further damage. This includes keeping skin moisturized, limiting light exposure and checking regularly for signs of infection.
Changes in Skin Color
Laser hair removal utilizes heat to destroy unwanted hair follicles. As a result, following treatment the skin may appear slightly darker or lighter; this is a common response and should resolve itself within several hours. Some individuals also report crusting that can be resolved quickly with moisturizer. These changes in color are caused by heat being directed at pigments being forced out by laser treatment and should not cause any lasting issues.
Based on your skin type and area being treated, people might experience more serious side effects from laser hair removal treatments, including rashes, scabs or permanent discoloration of skin. Should these side effects arise it is advised that you seek advice from a dermatologist regarding how best to proceed.
Laser hair removal is a safe and effective method for eliminating unwanted body hair, without the time-consuming and irritating methods used by traditional methods of removal.
Laser hair removal typically causes itching, pink skin and redness of the treatment area (folliculitis perifollicularis or follicular edema). These reactions should only last a few days.
If you have sensitive skin, it is recommended to use an anesthetic cream prior to receiving laser hair removal treatments. Laser zaps may cause pain; certain areas may experience more discomfort than others. Furthermore, it’s wise to stay out of direct sunlight before and after laser sessions as exposure increases the chances of blisters or burns forming from UV rays.
Prior to beginning laser hair removal treatments, it is also essential that there are no active infections, cold sores or rashes present on the area being treated. Any infections could compromise the efficacy of laser treatments. Laser hair removal offers an ideal solution for individuals frustrated with unwanted body hair; eliminating shaving products while saving time spent shaving, tweezing or waxing can save both money and effort spent maintaining unwanted body hair.
