Laser hair removal is a safe and effective method for eliminating unwanted hair, but can sometimes cause skin burns.
If you get burned from laser hair removal, there are a few steps you can take to help minimize scarring and discomfort. These include cooling the area with ice, using over-the-counter pain relievers, and applying topical treatments such as moisturizers.
1. Cool the area with ice
After laser hair removal, the best thing you can do for your skin is to provide it with relief by cooling it quickly. An effective way to do this is placing a cold washcloth over the burn site; make sure you switch it out every couple of minutes or so so it doesn’t become too hot and further irritate it. Ice will reduce swelling and pain while helping prevent scarring from occurring.
Take a cool shower to ease any burning sensation on your skin, taking extra caution not to touch the affected area with unwashed hands as this could exacerbate symptoms and worsen them further. Additionally, over-the-counter pain relievers can provide temporary relief.
Laser hair removal burns may take some time to heal, but it is crucial that they remain protected from direct sunlight so as to avoid scarring. You can do this by applying cream as recommended by a physician or wearing protective clothing over them whenever possible.
Some individuals may be more at risk of laser burns due to preexisting conditions like eczema or psoriasis; it’s essential that you inform your laser hair removal provider if there are any preexisting issues that could affect how your skin reacts during treatment.
Laser burns can be exceptionally painful, particularly first-degree burns. Additionally, affected areas will become very sensitive to direct sunlight; for this reason, it’s crucial that laser-burned areas be shielded as much as possible and protected with high SPF sunscreen when venturing outside.
Laser hair removal can be an efficient and safe method to achieving hair-free skin, but if any burns occur from laser treatment it’s essential that you understand what steps should be taken immediately to minimize damage and speed the healing process.
2. Apply an over-the-counter pain reliever
For mild burns, over-the-counter nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory pain relievers and topical treatments such as aloe vera gel can provide effective pain relief and speed healing of your skin. Ibuprofen and naproxen may help ease discomfort within 24 hours while helping the healing process along.
Avoid moisturizers or ointments that contain oil as this could aggravate your burn. Instead, opt for soothing creams made with shea butter and aloe vera as these will provide much-needed hydration without drying out or irritating skin during clothing or bedsheet friction. A thin coating should help to keep skin supple and protected.
If you are experiencing severe discomfort or have blistered skin, it is essential that you seek medical advice immediately as this could indicate more serious laser burn injuries.
Laser hair removal burns can cause immediate pain as well as lasting complications that include prolonged reddening (erythema), ulcerations or necrosis of body tissues (tissue necrosis).
Burns can leave lasting scars that disfigure and limit movement of affected areas, so to prevent further harm it’s essential that you seek immediate medical assistance and follow any instructions given by your clinic or physician.
Avoid popping your own burn blisters as this can expose them to bacteria and lead to infection. If they appear likely to burst on their own, use clean disinfected scissors to gently trim away at them before they burst by themselves.
After taking all necessary first aid steps, a physician will assess your burns to ascertain their severity and provide more specific instructions for care. They may suggest cooling cream, topical medications or treatments or surgery as possible treatments; in addition, they may advise avoiding direct sunlight altogether while wearing loose, UV-protective clothing and applying broad spectrum SPF sunscreen daily for additional protection.
3. Apply a topical treatment
Once your laser hair removal burns have begun healing, aloe vera-containing cream can help keep the skin moist to avoid dryness and irritation. A topical antimicrobial treatment might also be helpful in protecting from infection; in addition, oral pain relievers such as Tylenol (acetaminophen) or ibuprofen (Advil or Motrin) might provide additional comfort against any remaining discomfort due to laser hair removal burns.
Oily ointments should be used sparingly on burnt areas unless directed by your laser practitioner or doctor, as this could trap in heat and worsen your burns. Tight-fitting clothing could further irritate and exacerbate burns so loose clothing which allows the burnt area to breathe is preferable.
Once your burn has healed, switch to lighter ointments such as petroleum jelly or vaseline for treatment. Telfa or Adaptic gauze dressing pads come pre-coated with burn ointment and make application simple; use regularly as needed until its contents run out – make sure it changes every 1-3 hours as soon as it gets dirty or wet to maintain optimal protection of the wound.
Blisters typically appear after laser hair removal burns, which can be quite painful. You should avoid popping the blisters as this increases your risk of infection and could burst them – instead seek medical advice about them immediately if this occurs. If large blisters that appear painful are likely to burst or are likely to burst – visit your GP for advice immediately.
After healing, use a sunscreen with high sun protection factor (SPF). A high SPF product will help minimize scarring from laser hair removal burns, while also protecting from further sun exposure to reduce scarring and reduce sunburn risk in future. You should also limit sunlight exposure until all burns have fully recovered to minimize scarring appearance and sunburn risk in future. For severe laser hair removal burns that result in swelling or irritation it’s essential that medical advice be sought promptly as medical help could prescribe an antibiotic ointment in order to prevent infection and speed up recovery process.
4. Seek medical attention
If you experience blisters after laser hair removal, it’s crucial to seek medical advice immediately. A doctor can assess the extent of your burn and prescribe appropriate medications as well as offering advice about treating and managing it (for instance whether a topical treatment should be applied). They’ll also give guidance as to when recovery will occur.
Laser hair removal can be an extremely safe and effective treatment when performed properly; however, not all practitioners possess equal levels of experience or training; this could result in mistakes leading to injuries like burns. To reduce risks and help avoid laser hair removal burns it’s essential that you conduct sufficient research when selecting your provider and opt for one with plenty of experience.
Michele Green, a cosmetic dermatologist, recommends asking providers about their experience and verifying they meet industry safety standards before booking any procedures. In addition, consulting beforehand allows you to get acquainted with your practitioner as well as discuss skin type, hair color and thickness issues with them.
Be mindful of tanned skin as this makes it more vulnerable to laser burns; therefore, avoid sun exposure for at least a week prior to any sessions and certain skincare products, like retinoids, such as Retin-A. Additionally, book a test patch session in order to assess how your skin reacts with laser.
If you experience a first-degree laser burn, it’s crucial that it is addressed immediately. This can be accomplished either through rinsing the area with cold water for several minutes or using an ice pack on it; additionally it is wise to avoid rubbing as this can further exacerbate damage to the skin.
Green suggests taking over-the-counter pain relievers such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) or naproxen (Aleve) to soothe any discomfort caused by blisters. Furthermore, medical attention should always be sought if blisters appear as it could indicate more serious injuries that require medical treatment.
If you have suffered laser hair removal burns due to someone else’s negligence, compensation may be available to you. An experienced personal injury lawyer can assess your case and advise as to the amount of damages which might be claimable against those at fault.
