Laser hair removal offers an effective and long-term solution to unwanted hair growth, replacing shaving, waxing and depilatory creams as essential procedures to get rid of unwanted follicles.
Reputable clinics will perform a patch test on you to make sure the device is suitable for your skin tone and discuss treatment schedule and expected results with you.
1. Burns
Laser hair removal works by emitting beams of light energy that deactivate hair follicles and deplete them of their pigment, but there’s one downside – lasers also emit heat which, if there is too much of it, could result in burns and blisters.
At-home laser hair removal devices are typically less powerful than those used by medical practitioners, making it unlikely for burns to result from laser hair removal treatments. However, mishandled devices may still cause scarring or hyperpigmentation issues if malfunction occurs.
People may be more vulnerable to laser hair removal burns if they already have preexisting skin conditions such as psoriasis or eczema, making laser treatment even more likely. Therefore, it’s essential that they speak with a healthcare provider prior to beginning laser treatments, informing them about any preexisting conditions you have such as these.
Burns from laser hair removal can affect any part of the body, though they’re most often found on sensitive areas like the face or arms. Dark complexioned individuals are at an increased risk since melanin absorbs higher levels of energy which may result in burns.
If you experience burns from laser hair removal, it’s essential that the area be treated as a wound during its healing. Creams containing vitamin E or aloe vera should help soothe any discomfort, while prolonged sun exposure should be avoided until all scarring has faded completely. Healing may take weeks or months; severe cases may require visit to a physician who will prescribe medications, while it’s wise to report any sign of infection so they can provide assistance and prescribe appropriate remedies.
2. Irritation
Laser hair removal may be less painful than waxing, yet still has some discomfort associated with it. Patients may experience pinprick-like sensations during the treatment while others may feel slight pain or burning sensations during it. To help ease discomfort during and post treatment, numbing cream or cooling gel should be applied prior to and during your session.
At-home laser hair removal may cause skin irritation due to the heat generated from the machine’s heat, which may damage and inflame surrounding tissue and lead to redness, swelling and itching in hair follicles (folliculitis). While these side effects may be uncomfortable at first, they typically go away within hours following your session.
Before using a device to reduce irritation, ensure your skin is clean and free from lotions, soaps, deodorant products or sunless tanning products before each use of the laser device. This allows its energy to penetrate deep within your skin to target pigmented hair follicles directly rather than surrounding tissue.
At-home laser hair devices should not be confused with lasers; rather, IPL (intense pulsed light) technology is typically utilized. IPL follows similar principles as professional laser treatments but uses a wider spectrum of light that targets specific wavelengths of pigment to effectively eliminate hair follicles while simultaneously limiting collateral damage.
As IPL devices aren’t as effective at targeting darker complexions and those with Fitzpatrick skin tone levels beyond level four, it is vitally important that one reads their manufacturer’s skin and hair color chart to ascertain whether an at-home laser hair removal device would suit them; otherwise they should contact their dermatologist for in-office laser hair removal treatments.
3. Redness
Laser hair removal works by targeting dark pigmentation in hair follicles with light. Once damaged, they no longer produce hair growth and cannot regrow. Most at-home devices utilize IPL technology instead of laser, making it safer and suitable for more skin tones.
Mishandled procedures may result in redness or irritation – dermatologist Dustin Portela warns: if the device or skin type doesn’t match up correctly with your instructions for using it properly you could end up with burns as well as post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, which appears as scars.
These side effects are less likely if you seek professional treatments over an at-home kit, and, should they arise, it’s best to notify the practitioner who treated you so they can address them as soon as possible.
At least 12 hours before laser hair removal, it’s best to shave the area that will be treated and avoid placing lotions or oils directly onto it. An ice pack or numbing cream may help alleviate discomfort in this regard; while after your session your skin may become more vulnerable to sunlight than usual; to help reduce this sensitivity use a broad spectrum SPF 30 sunscreen in this location as soon as possible after laser treatment; covering this spot may even require wearing a hat or scarf for optimal results. You may experience redness with rash-like appearance shortly after laser hair removal which typically subsides after several hours – regularly applying an ice pack can help with relief for both parties involved.
4. Swelling
No matter your motivations for wanting hair removal, laser hair removal can be an ideal solution. Utilizing high-heat lasers, this process utilizes highly focused beams of light that safely and permanently disable the follicles that produce new hair growth – though there may be side effects such as redness and swelling that require careful consideration before using an at-home device.
At-home laser hair removal usually only lasts a few hours, and to help alleviate swelling try applying a cool compress or ice pack to the area. Also be sure to avoid rubbing or scratching it and keep your area clean; should irritation develop, consult a dermatologist who may suggest an over-the-counter anti-inflammatory cream or steroid cream as a remedy.
Laser hair removal may cause post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, a form of post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation which appears as dark marks around hair follicles after treatments. It’s most prevalent with tanned or darker Fitzpatrick skin tones; however, any at-home laser or IPL device if the settings are misadjusted could produce the same effects.
So it is best to avoid tanning or sun exposure before and after laser hair removal, and ensure your skincare routine does not contain any products with skin-thinning ingredients or formulas. Patch testing an at-home device on a small area of face or body before undertaking full treatments can also be useful.
5. Scars
Laser hair removal is more than simply eliminating unwanted hair; it is an invasive medical procedure performed by trained and certified dermatologists or dermal therapists to minimize risk and ensure irreversible damage like burn marks, scarring and hyperpigmentation are minimized.
At times, laser hair removal treatments can cause an uncomfortable pinprick sensation; to ease any potential discomfort during treatments, a topical anesthetic may be applied prior to commencing therapy in order to decrease discomfort levels during treatments.
Risks associated with laser hair removal increase if proper care is not taken prior to and following treatments. People should refrain from shaving and plucking for at least eight weeks prior to their scheduled procedure in order to ensure all targeted follicles have died and been rendered inoperable before beginning treatments.
People should use sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30 on a daily basis and adhere to any aftercare recommendations from doctors or practitioners, such as keeping skin cool and moisturized and reporting signs of infection.
Failing to follow any of these steps could result in scars or hyperpigmentation from using DIY devices purchased online, similar to what a professional clinic might provide. Home devices don’t take into account that each skin and hair tone requires specific heat energies for permanent hair destruction; thus causing lasting damage. Furthermore, doing it yourself could cost even more in terms of scar repair treatments later down the line compared to leaving laser hair removal to a professional dermatologist or dermal therapist; doing it properly the first time will save money in terms of both time and costs involved with correct treatment costs! Hence it would be best left to professionals like dermatologists or dermal therapists instead; you’ll save both money in terms of treatment time by getting it done right the first time around!
