Laser hair removal is an increasingly popular cosmetic procedure that removes unwanted hair while simultaneously preventing it from growing back. If necessary precautions are not taken, however, mild burns may occur as a result.
Melanin found in your skin competes with that found in hair follicles and can lead to burns if exposed to too much heat. Prior to having any laser treatments performed, always conduct a patch test first.
1. Improper Preparation
Laser hair removal can be an effective treatment to eliminate unwanted hair, but it comes with risks. One such risk is a laser burn which can be very painful; additionally, they may lead to skin discoloration and scarring as well.
Laser burns can result from various factors, but are typically due to improper preparation or malfunctioning equipment. To minimise risk and ensure a positive experience during laser treatments, it’s wise to select an experienced practitioner and take necessary precautions prior to scheduling any sessions.
Prior to your laser appointment, it is vital that the area to be treated is free from plucking, waxing and bleaching as this will significantly diminish its effectiveness. Shaving should also be performed, which removes longer hairs while leaving them at root level where laser treatment can reach.
At least two weeks prior to your appointment, it is recommended to stay out of direct sunlight – this includes tanning beds and self-tanners – as exposing yourself to sunlight increases your risk of laser burn. If sun exposure becomes an issue for you, speak to your physician about using lightening cream in order to prepare your area for laser hair removal.
As part of your preparations for laser hair removal, it is recommended to moisturize the area as much as possible prior to treatment in order to decrease discomfort and sensitivity afterward. In addition, avoid high intensity physical exercise as well as excessive scratching of crusted areas as this will help avoid infections that could develop within wounds or scabs that result from these activities.
If you experience any pain following laser hair removal, contact the clinic as soon as possible to report it. This will allow them to review and adjust the laser settings as well as give instructions for treating burns and relieving discomfort that may have arisen from them. In certain instances, practitioners may prescribe a steroid cream or Tylenol(r) to help ease pain relief.
2. Sun Exposure
Laser hair removal is an increasingly popular cosmetic treatment to eliminate unwanted body hair permanently. This alternative to shaving, waxing, plucking and electrolysis has the ability to eliminate shaving, waxing, plucking and electrolysis treatments while also helping reduce scars caused by these procedures and uneven skin tones caused by these treatments. But laser hair removal should not be taken lightly – its potential risks must be fully understood in order to make an informed decision and take any steps necessary to mitigate or even avoid potential risks altogether. If considering laser hair removal it’s essential that prioritisation will be essential so as not to encounter complications later down the road.
Sometimes patients’ skin can react negatively to medical procedures and be left with burns as a result of sun exposure or tanning beds/lamps, often requiring medical intervention and sometimes necessitating skin grafting to repair damaged areas. Sunburn is usually responsible for these burns; whether this be natural sunlight exposure or tanning beds and sun lamps used during tanning.
For maximum protection during laser hair removal, it is vital that you visit a doctor prior to beginning. They will test your skin type against that of the laser system, while also suggesting ways you can lower your risks by staying out of direct sunlight and avoiding certain skin care products that increase risk.
If you do experience a burn during laser hair removal, there are steps you can take to limit damage and heal quickly. Your doctor will prescribe creams and ointments that help relieve pain management while speeding healing; additionally they may advise using cool compresses to decrease swelling and redness.
Preparing for laser hair removal involves shaving on the day prior to your appointment and staying out of direct sunlight, in addition to stopping waxing or plucking. At your appointment, you will sit on a chair wearing goggles as protection for your eyes; during treatment a practitioner will press a handheld device against your skin which activates the laser which emits small puffs of smoke that have an unpleasant sulfurous aroma; depending on the size of the area being treated this process can take anywhere between 15 minutes and an hour.
3. Excessive Heat
Laser hair removal can be an efficient and quick solution to unwanted body hair, but like any treatment it may result in side effects – including burns. Laser treatment-induced burns typically happen when exposed to excessive heat for an extended period of time and cause burns that require medical intervention to treat. Severe burns may require medical assistance; otherwise they could result in permanent scarring if left untreated immediately.
If you experience any adverse side effects from laser hair removal treatments, it is essential that they are addressed quickly with your practitioner in order to take immediate steps to soothe and possibly mitigate damage caused by the laser beams.
Preexisting skin conditions like eczema, psoriasis or rosacea can increase the risk of laser hair removal burns, since they make skin more vulnerable to light and heat, thus increasing damage due to laser and IPL treatments.
Mistaken settings or malfunctioning equipment can also contribute to laser hair removal burns. IPL machines or laser machines should be set according to an individual’s skin type and hair color for the optimal result, otherwise too high an intensity setting could damage their skin, blister and scar it further or even lead to burns altogether.
Opting for a qualified and experienced provider when seeking laser or IPL treatments is essential. A knowledgeable provider knows how to tailor settings specifically to each client’s skin type and hair color; an unfamiliar provider could make mistakes during their procedure that increase burn risk or cause other complications.
Waxing or plucking should also be avoided in the days leading up to laser hair removal treatment, as such activities temporarily remove hair follicles and roots – making them harder for laser treatment to locate. Shaving should also be performed before an appointment so the laser can more quickly locate and treat individual follicles.
4. Infection
Laser hair removal is an efficient and safe method for eliminating unwanted body hair, but complications may still arise during treatments. One such complication is infection, which can cause reddening, swelling and irritation to your skin as well as scar formation. There are various strategies you can employ in order to avoid infection post laser hair removal treatments including avoiding direct sunlight, using gentle cleanser and moisturizer on the skin as well as following all instructions from your laser practitioner.
Infections can arise for several reasons, including improper equipment usage and use, use of sunless tanning products and methods like waxing or plucking as hair removal methods and lack of hygiene practices and poor diet habits. Infections also may arise from inadequate hygiene measures and nutritional habits.
As with other treatments, laser hair removal often causes a burning sensation on the skin similar to sunburn, lasting several hours after treatment. Cool compresses may provide relief while over-the-counter topical anti-inflammatories may help manage pain and swelling in some instances.
Immediately if you experience pain or burns following laser hair removal, contact the beauty clinic immediately. It is essential that their laser practitioner be made aware so they can assess treatment settings and confirm there are no issues with their equipment; additionally, they should offer advice on how best to treat and avoid further injury.
Laser Hair Removal Burns Prevention and Treatment If your skin becomes red, swollen or painful after laser hair removal, take steps to protect it by washing with cool water and applying a cool compress. Also apply an over-the-counter hydrocortisone cream to soothe inflammation and itching; do not pop or open any blisters as this increases risk.
Laser hair removal infections tend to be mild and treatable, though occasionally severe reactions can leave unsightly scars. To protect yourself against potential laser hair removal injuries, follow the precautions listed above and select a physician trained in laser hair removal with experience treating various skin types. Furthermore, it would be wise to avoid laser hair removal services offered at spas or salons that don’t employ trained physicians on staff.
