Do not panic if you notice reddened, raised bumps after laser hair removal! This is completely normal and an indicator that the specialist used the appropriate technique.
These symptoms tend to be temporary and should diminish within hours or days, though if needed a washcloth soaked with cool water or Tylenol(r) (acetaminophen) may help alleviate pain and swelling.
Redness
Laser heat can damage or kill hair follicles, and your body has an innate response. Redness usually lasts only a few hours or days; do not worry. You might experience itching; resist the urge to scratch as this could aggravate your skin further and leave unsightly scars behind.
Your skin may also exhibit small bumps that resemble acne; they’re completely normal! Caused by hair follicle inflammation and infection, they should fade within several hours or longer if your skin is extremely sensitive; using antihistamine medication and cold compresses wet with cold water can help minimize redness and swelling to speed recovery.
Pimples can also result from laser hair removal treatments due to how the laser’s heat opens up pores, allowing debris to clog them and lead to infections that result in pimples. Furthermore, heat from laser can disturb follicles which then start producing hair or produce oily substances which lead to breakouts; for this reason it is advised that alternative hair-removal methods such as waxing, plucking and threading be avoided after receiving laser therapy treatment.
After laser treatment, it is wise to forgo hot showers, saunas, steam rooms and hot tubs as these may increase skin sensitivity and increase risk of bacteria accumulation in pores. You should also use gentle cleansers and moisturizers on a daily basis in order to keep skin hydrated.
After laser treatments, it’s advisable to avoid applying beauty products directly onto the treated area for several days afterward as this could irritate and cause breakouts. If necessary, non-comedogenic cleansers and moisturizing lotions without fragrance should be used instead of comedogenic cleansers and moisturizing lotions with fragrances. Also make sure your sunscreen provides adequate sun protection – wear loose-fitting clothes to minimize irritation of the skin!
Swelling
Swelling is a normal side effect that results when hair follicles react to laser energy, depending on your skin type and thickness. As a laser’s intense heat can alter hair follicles that result in swelling, this should subside within hours – to minimize it try applying cold compresses or an ice pack to the treated area and taking an anti-inflammatory medication such as Tylenol can also help.
Folliculitis, or red bumps around hair follicles, is another potential side effect of laser hair removal, signaling that inflamed follicles are healing normally and it should be left alone until all red bumps have completely cleared away – otherwise this can irritate skin further and worsen symptoms. Shaving is best avoided to ensure maximum healing results.
Pimples and acne breakouts are another side effect of laser hair removal treatment, often caused by its heat opening up pores to allow bacteria to buildup, leading to skin congestion that then results in tiny infections which manifest themselves as pimples or acne breakouts. Shaving or waxing prior to receiving treatment could also contribute to this issue.
Gentle cleansers and forgoing shaving can help prevent irritation from laser hair removal, while anti-inflammatory skin care products containing tea tree oil or aloe vera could be beneficial if breakouts tend to arise after laser hair removal.
After laser hair removal, it’s also essential that any products such as makeup or beauty products such as lotions are avoided in order to allow the skin to heal fully and reduce risk of infection. If in doubt as to which items are safe after laser treatment, consult your physician.
Avoid exercising, hot showers, saunas and steam rooms until your skin has returned to normal. Doing this will also help prevent follicular edema – swelling that causes red follicles – as these activities could trigger it.
Discoloration
Your skin type and intensity of laser hair removal treatments may cause temporary redness, swelling and itching after each session. These side effects usually go away after your session is completed and can be minimized through following simple skin care protocols: applying cool wash cloths or ice packs directly to the area affected, wearing loose clothing with comfort zones that allow airflow, using fragrance-free, noncomedogenic skin products like fragrance-free non-comedogenic creams (such as fragrance free non comedogenic moisturizers from Avon), wearing loose clothing to allow airflow around these sensitive areas can all help minimize irritation and discomfort while taking over-the-counter pain relievers such as Tylenol or anti-inflammatory medication can also provide relief from discomfort.
If you experience unusual, long-term, or severe side effects during laser hair removal treatment, contact your provider to explore possible solutions. They may recommend over-the-counter antihistamines or anti-inflammatory medicines as ways of mitigating these symptoms.
Sometimes black dots appear after laser hair removal sessions. While they could indicate new hair growth, it’s important not to remove this new growth too early, as doing so could lead to ingrown hairs. If in doubt about whether your dark spots represent new or dead hair growth, contact your laser hair removal technician or dermatologist immediately for guidance.
Folliculitis – also referred to as Barber’s itch, razor bumps or hot tub rash — is another prevalent cause of red bumps following laser hair removal. Folliculitis develops when infected hair follicles become inflamed resulting in itchy, swollen and painful red bumps; left untreated it could even result in boils or blisters.
Folliculitis can strike anyone at any age; however, certain risk factors increase your likelihood of this painful and embarrassing condition. These risk factors include having a family history of it as an adult with sensitive skin; using laser hair removal treatment can eliminate its source and help avoid future outbreaks of this issue.
Laser treatments for unwanted hair removal are more comfortable and painless than electrolysis; furthermore, there’s no downtime or healing time necessary after receiving laser hair removal treatment. To learn how this method could permanently get rid of unwanted hair growth in your area, schedule a consultation today!
Itching
Laser hair removal treatments often result in itching as an uncomfortable side effect, which stems from hair follicles becoming irritated after treatment with laser beams. Although scratching or picking at affected areas is natural, you should try not to scratch as this could cause scarring and further itching. Instead, try using soothing lotion on any affected areas to alleviate itching.
Itching can be quite persistent after laser treatment to areas like legs and bikini areas; however, this is an expected side effect and it should subside within several days after laser treatments have concluded. If it persists further than expected, consult with a dermatologist or pharmacist for an anti-itch cream to help ease itching; hydrocortisone lotion is readily available at most drugstores; alternatively Sudocream may help soothe skin inflammation and promote healing.
Once your laser hair removal treatment has taken place, it is wise to avoid hot showers and steam rooms as these can irritate the skin and worsen red bumps and swelling. Furthermore, shaving the area too soon can exacerbate irritation further by itching or inflammation resulting from shaving irritants on itchy patches of skin.
Be sure to apply moisturizer regularly on the affected areas to keep them hydrated and reduce itching. Incorporating gentle exfoliators may also help, since harsh scrubs or exfoliants could damage delicate tissue causing more red bumps and irritation.
Finally, tight-fitting clothes should be avoided to prevent irritation to the skin and increase bumps. Instead, wear loose fitting clothing in order to decrease friction against it and maintain good skin care practices.
Acne-like red bumps are a side effect of laser hair removal treatments, though they usually only last temporarily and can be avoided with proper skincare practices and consulting with a dermatologist about your options for smooth and bump-free skin. Follow these prevention tips above, or talk to one about laser hair removal treatments so they can offer smooth results for smooth, bump-free skin.
