Laser hair removal may cause temporary redness, bumps, or irritation immediately following treatment; these symptoms typically dissipate within days – your laser specialist should offer cooling gels or aloe vera as soothing agents to ease healing time.
Be careful when venturing outdoors after treatment as your skin may be especially vulnerable to sunlight. Wear a high SPF sunscreen daily to shield it from possible harm caused by sun exposure.
Redness
Redness is an often side effect of laser hair removal and typically affects the area that was treated, often appearing like mild sunburn or even scabs and usually lasting only temporarily. To alleviate discomfort and avoid irritation and flaking, cooling lotions or ointments recommended by your laser specialist should be used regularly to soothe skin. Also using broad spectrum sunscreen daily will accelerate healing time significantly.
When an area becomes irritated, it’s essential not to scratch or pick at it as this could lead to scarring. Furthermore, waxing, plucking, or shaving the area before it heals may only serve to worsen matters further.
Some patients may notice their hair growing back lighter or darker after laser hair removal due to melanin-vaporizing lasers vaporizing pigmentation and changing hair follicle colors depending on melanin content in hair follicles. Therefore, it is wise to consult a dermatologist beforehand in order to get tailored advice for treatment based on skin and hair type.
Burns from laser treatments are rare, but can occur if the laser’s tip does not adequately cool before contact with skin. In such an event, medical assistance should be sought immediately as it could become serious – this is one reason it is vital to visit only medically-run laser spas with advanced technology and licensed physicians for laser treatments. Furthermore, prioritizing non-tanned skin may reduce burn risk significantly; tanning increases vulnerability.
Swelling
Heat from lasers may produce red, swollen areas that are tender to touch – an effect caused by blood vessels heating up in response to laser exposure on the surface of skin and becoming agitated; swelling typically resolves itself within several days on its own or can be treated with over-the-counter anti-inflammatories such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen for additional pain relief.
Prior to your laser hair removal appointment, it is vital that you refrain from shaving, plucking, waxing or using sunless tanning lotions on the area being treated as this could disrupt hair follicles and cause redness, swelling and scarring. Use aloe vera gel or lotion for burning sensations, redness or swelling but make sure not to rub too hard otherwise this could further irritate skin further. Additionally, avoid taking hot showers, baths, hot tubs or saunas that expose you to excess heat that could burn or blister your skin further – avoid heating pads as this could also irritate it further!
According to dermatologist Nancy Samolitis, your level of peeling depends on what type of treatment you received. Light chemical and laser peels such as Clear + Brilliant or glycolic peels generally cause small flaky bits to peel for up to one week while deeper peels such as Fraxel or CO2 laser can produce dramatic results including large flaky bits – picking at them can cause further irritation and clogged pores; so be patient as they come off naturally.
Irritation
After laser hair removal treatments, patients typically experience redness, itching and swelling immediately following each session. However, this usually subsides within hours to days, with using cool washcloths or ice packs on the area helping reduce any swelling; anti-inflammatory medications like Tylenol may also provide some relief. It’s essential that patients follow all protocols provided by their laser specialist regarding aftercare protocols – these will likely include using approved moisturizers regularly so as to keep the area supple and nourished.
Laser hair removal treatments often leave skin feeling dry and flaky afterward; this is completely normal due to heating up and damaging pigment-rich hair follicles during treatment.
As your follicles disintegrate, their contents will gradually be expelled through your skin in much the same manner as hair that’s removed with waxing or shaving – this shedding process causes flaky and dry skin after treatment.
Though this process might be uncomfortable, it’s actually beneficial for your skin’s overall health as it rids itself of unwanted hair follicles. Your body is prepping itself for laser treatment by eliminating these dead follicles which will speed up hair regrowth.
After laser hair removal sessions, one effective way of treating dry and flaky skin is using a fragrance-free cleanser with hydrating properties. Furthermore, you should apply moisturizing cream several times each day until further relief occurs. Furthermore, hot showers or baths should be avoided in order to preserve natural oils on the skin while taking cool showers/baths instead may help avoid further irritation and reduce further discomfort.
Lighter or darker spots
Some individuals may notice lighter or darker spots after laser hair removal, depending on their skin color. This side effect should only be temporary; damage to the surface of skin or hair follicles could be responsible. If these changes become excessive or permanent, however, consult a medical provider.
Laser probe tips are kept cold during procedures to minimize heat damage to skin, yet it may become dry afterward, leading to crusting that could potentially result in scarring when picked at or irritated; applying moisturizer in these areas could help mitigate this issue.
After laser treatment, it is crucial to protect the treated skin from potential irritants like hot water and sun exposure. You should avoid taking hot showers or using a hot tub until your skin has fully recovered, and apply an SPF sunscreen which won’t irritate it frequently throughout the day.
Rarely, skin in the pubic area may experience hyperpigmentation or hypopigmentation after laser treatment, though these changes typically fade over time with bleaching cream use or over time alone. Sunlight can worsen PIH so it is essential to use a high SPF broad spectrum sunscreen after laser treatments for maximum protection.
Milia are small white bumps found on the skin that occur following laser treatments. You can treat these by gently cleansing with an unscented cleanser and applying anti-inflammatory products such as polysporin, coconut oil or bacitracin ointment; trying to pop one may lead to infection or scarring; additionally you should take an oral herpes simplex cold sore medication (valacyclovir or acyclovir) for herpes simplex cold sores to help keep it from returning in this area of treated skin.
Scarring
Many individuals worry that laser hair removal could result in scarring. Thankfully, however, this is usually not a side effect and will typically resolve on its own. If it persists beyond this timeframe, talk with your provider for further advice and solutions.
At your laser hair removal sessions, the heat from the laser may cause pores to close up, leaving skin more susceptible to infection and more prone to being “clogged up.” To avoid this happening, avoid applying products like makeup, body washes, or deodorant during the first few days after your sessions; this will allow the skin to “breathe” freely while making it easier for dead skin cells to escape and make room for new cells to come through.
Your skin may also become more delicate after treatment, so using an SPF of at least 30 daily will help protect it and minimize redness, dry skin, or irritation as you heal.
Remember that laser hair removal only affects hair at its growth stage; new growth will still appear after your treatments have ended, making it important to wait before waxing, plucking or shaving treated areas.
Good news is that these symptoms should disappear within hours to days for most people, though in the meantime you can use cooling gel or moisturizer to soothe and comfort your skin, while taking an over-the-counter pain reliever such as Tylenol may help alleviate any pain, discomfort or swelling you’re experiencing.
