Laser hair removal is an efficient and safe method to eliminate unwanted body hair, yet can have some unwanted side effects, including discoloration and dark spots known as open comedones that appear darker than their natural pigmentation.
Most side effects are temporary and should pass within hours to days on their own, however if more serious symptoms arise it’s wise to contact your laser clinic and speak to one of their on staff physicians immediately.
Black dots are a common side effect of laser hair removal
Laser hair removal is an efficient and noninvasive solution to remove unwanted body hair. A laser heats the pigment within each follicle to stop new hair growth – one of the five nonsurgical cosmetic procedures performed in the US annually and especially effective on back and chest areas. Although temporary side effects may arise during laser hair removal treatments, their impact should not affect long-term health issues.
Lasers used for hair removal are FDA-approved devices that utilize concentrated light technology to inhibit the regrowth of unwanted body hair. Treatment typically occurs in an office setting and patients must wear protective eyewear; during which, their doctor presses a handheld device against the skin before activating the laser – creating the sensation similar to when a rubber band snaps against it; an anesthetist may apply topical anesthetic as needed to lessen any discomfort experienced during this procedure.
Treatment typically lasts from 15 minutes to an hour, depending on the size and location of the area being treated. Following each session, the treated area may appear red with raised bumps for hours to days afterward; applying cold compresses regularly can ease discomfort while forgoing deodorant products or any other products to this area will allow its pores to clear themselves of dead cells and bacteria that could potentially lead to infections.
Black dots are an expected side effect of laser hair removal and don’t necessarily indicate new hair growth. Instead, these dark spots could be due to damaged follicles caused by laser treatment; sometimes infection or scarring could also be present; should any such symptoms arise it is important that you immediately notify the practitioner who performed your laser session.
Interested in laser hair removal? When selecting a clinic, be sure to select a reputable clinic and inquire of their experience in treating skin and hair types similar to your own. In addition, discuss with the practitioner any relevant medical histories before your appointment.
They may or may not be a sign of hair growth
If you notice black dots appearing after laser hair removal, it’s essential to visit a dermatologist immediately. They will be able to help determine if these marks indicate hair regrowth or not; furthermore they may offer other treatments which could prevent further skin damage.
Laser treatments often lead to black spots due to light energy being absorbed by melanin pigment in hair follicles and converted to heat, leading to discoloration and scarring in surrounding tissues as well as permanent discoloration and scarring in some cases. Luckily, however, these dark spots should fade within a week or two.
People with darker skin are more prone to experiencing this side effect because the laser cannot distinguish between pigments present in hair and skin pigmentation. However, thanks to advances in laser technology it is now possible to treat all shades of dark skin and hair color.
As to minimize potential side effects, the best way to protect against them is to visit a licensed physician who has performed many laser treatments on patients with similar hair and skin types as yours. Be wary of spas and salons which do not respond promptly when asked questions about qualifications or allow nonmedical staff members to perform laser treatments.
Avoid hair removal techniques like shaving and waxing four weeks before your laser treatment appointment. Shaving is also highly recommended on this day to protect hair follicles. Furthermore, avoid taking blood-thinners such as aspirin and anti-inflammatory medicines prior to undergoing this process.
Additionally to these measures, it’s also advisable to apply sunscreen before and after laser treatments to protect the skin from further damage and slow the aging process. Furthermore, you should avoid sun exposure until instructed by your physician to do so again.
They may or may not be a sign of infection
Dark spots may occur after laser hair removal treatments; these aren’t harmful and typically resolve on their own over time, however it’s important to follow any postcare instructions provided by healthcare professionals who performed your laser procedure in order to reduce their appearance. Cleanliness, direct sunlight aversion and using broad spectrum sunscreen may all help in lessening dark spot appearance after laser hair removal treatments.
Black dots left behind after laser hair removal aren’t usually dangerous, but they may be uncomfortable and annoying. Caused by damage caused by laser heat, these dark spots result from irritation to surrounding follicles caused by heat damage caused by laser light; red, acne-like bumps may develop and eventually darken over time – this condition is called post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation; though permanent spots can form following your dermatologist’s aftercare instructions.
Causes for these spots can vary, but may be related to how hair removal occurs. Overly forceful removal or applying the laser in areas it’s not needed could reactivate follicles and result in increased hair growth. Furthermore, someone living with conditions such as psoriasis could lead to spots being formed as well.
Though these symptoms may be rare, they may surface if laser treatment is performed by someone not equipped to handle it or if the patient has darker skin tones. They could also arise due to improper care such as applying makeup directly after receiving laser treatments.
As people with darker skin can benefit most from medically certified laser treatment clinics, choosing one with highly trained staff and certified practitioners who specialize in these procedures is particularly important. When searching for clinics to receive laser treatments it’s wise to make an appointment with an on-staff practitioner experienced treating such cases; spas and salons that allow nonmedical staff to perform treatments should be avoided as these facilities often lack regulatory oversight as medical clinics as well as the latest laser technology that may cause unwanted side effects like dark spots, scarring and blisters resulting in unintended side effects like dark spots, scarring or blisters resulting in complications like dark spots, scarring and blisters resulting from poor treatment choices.
They may or may not be a sign of post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation
Black spots after laser hair removal are an unavoidable side effect of treatment, often as the result of overactive pigment-producing cells in response to laser energy and heat. Though usually temporary, these marks may last for several months. If this concerns you, reach out to your clinic for advice; most likely they’ll ask you come in for an assessment, especially if they are run by doctors.
Select a reliable salon or clinic when choosing laser treatments, as untrained practitioners may use improper lasers and settings, causing undesirable side effects – particularly dangerous for people with darker skin tones. Such issues could include post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation – which discolors skin pigmentation over time and may be difficult to treat.
Some laser hair removal machines produce black spots as an unintended side effect of treatment, but most cases are harmless and transient. These spots are caused by dead skin cells accumulating around hair follicles; they usually fade on their own after several days or weeks. It’s best to limit sun exposure as direct sunlight can make black spots more prominent.
Laser-induced folliculitis is another potential side effect of laser hair removal, though usually mild and self-limiting. It typically affects those with curly or coarse locks or Fitzpatrick skin types III or greater; for such patients it might be wise to take measures like prophylactic doxycycline and topical steroids as well as using gentle shaving techniques.
People at risk for post-irradiation hyperpigmentation should consult with a dermatologist or cosmetic surgeon prior to seeking laser hair removal, in order to select the appropriate laser treatment and avoid side effects. They should limit sun exposure and use broad spectrum sunscreen. In addition, their doctor may prescribe lightening cream containing retinoids or other lightening agents that will accelerate fading processes.
