Laser Hair Removal can be an effective, safe method of eliminating unwanted hair. Unfortunately, however, some individuals experience complications like burns as a result.
Technicians typically maintain cool environments during treatments to ensure that only pigment from hair becomes heated by laser, rather than skin tissue.
Unfortunately, some spas employ unqualified and poorly trained technicians who could potentially cause harm to their customers. These untrained individuals could lead to injuries.
1. Cool the Area
Laser hair removal is one of the most sought-after beauty treatments, yet it does come with risks. Laser burns are more prevalent than you’d think due to many salons and beauty centers not having adequately trained staff that can offer safe and effective laser treatments.
Laser burns range in severity from minor reddening to full-blown blistering of the skin. A mild laser hair removal burn may be treated at home using cool or lukewarm water to soothe it, as well as over-the-counter hydrocortisone cream to relieve pain and speed healing.
For laser burns with greater severity, medical assistance should be sought immediately to avoid scarring and other complications that may result from untreated injuries. Your physician can assess the extent of your laser burn and provide recommendations regarding care guidelines and medication to treat wounds effectively.
Minor laser hair removal burns may be treated using topical ointments like petroleum jelly (Vaseline). This will keep the area moisturized and hasten healing. Aloe vera gel may also provide soothing relief; however, chemical base creams should be avoided since these may disrupt natural pigmentation processes or cause further harm to your skin.
Once your burn has healed, it is crucial to protect it from sunlight and other irritants. A light cover-up may provide sufficient protection; otherwise, sunblock rated SPF 30+ would be more appropriate. In addition, tanning beds or any other skin products should be avoided until everything has completely recovered.
2. Apply Aloe Vera
Aloe vera is an effective home treatment for laser hair removal burns. Apply it immediately after cooling the affected area with cold water and make sure it doesn’t contain coloring agents or preservatives if possible, because aloe vera penetrates deeper than water into epidermal layers more quickly, helping heal faster (1).
Aloe vera can be purchased at most health food stores and garden centers; you can also make it yourself at home by cutting open fresh aloe vera leaves and extracting its clear gel contents. Aloe vera contains numerous essential vitamins including A, C and E which have antioxidant benefits that may reduce sun damage (2).
Apply a thin coat of aloe vera gel every day until the burn has completely healed, adding drops of lavender oil if necessary to ease pain or prevent infection. Honey can help fight infection while helping heal burns faster; and adding tea tree oil has additional antifungal and antiseptic properties (3).
Petroleum jelly (Vaseline) can also help first-degree burns retain moisture and heal more quickly by locking heat under the burn and leading to swelling. Just be careful not to apply too much, as overdoing it could trap heat under it and increase swelling. In general, any creams or lotions not prescribed by your physician or dermatologist (this includes over-the-counter ointments and sprays) should not be applied directly onto burns as this could clog your pores further and inhibit healing processes.
3. Don’t Pop Blisters
Laser hair removal burns often result in blisters. Doing so could worsen the burn and allow bacteria to enter, leading to infection. Blisters form as the body attempts to protect injured skin from further injury; over time these will break open and dry out to become soft and spongy, meaning popping them can result in skin discoloration and scarring.
When treating blisters, non-greasy and oil-free ointment should be applied immediately in order to help cool and soothe the skin. A sterile topical antibiotic cream may also be applied if prescribed by your physician or pharmacist. In cases of injuries caused by blisters, gauze should be wrapped loosely as covering too tightly could increase heat in the area and further irritate it.
If you’ve experienced laser hair removal burns, it is crucial that you contact a personal injury lawyer as soon as possible. They will be able to assess the extent of your injuries and help pursue compensation on your behalf.
Avoid laser hair removal burns by visiting only licensed cosmetologists offering laser treatments. Be sure to let them know about your skin type, undergo a patch test prior to receiving treatment and adhere to all post-treatment instructions given by them.
4. Apply Over-the-Counter Pain Relievers
Laser hair removal is typically a safe procedure, yet burns may still occur after laser treatments. If this happens to you after receiving laser treatments, cool it down immediately and treat at home until the burn heals on its own. Avoid sprays or greasy ointments which trap heat and delay healing; cool cloth or gauze may provide greater comfort in preventing irritation and pain relief. Oral medications like Tylenol(r) (acetaminophen), Ibuprofen or naproxen may provide further comfort if pain persists – they may provide relief – in this instance.
At first, it’s best to apply a non-stick dressing like Telfa or Adaptic available from most drugstores to protect the area from friction and change it once or twice daily or as it becomes dirty. Once this step has been taken, gently wash the area daily with mild soap and water until some of the burning skin comes off through washing; rather than scrubbing it off which could do further harm.
If your burn has blistered, do not pop its blisters as this could expose it to infection and scarring. For large and painful blisters, seek medical advice for how best to manage them.
Laser hair removal burns typically result from inexperienced practitioners or from outdated machines that do not contain adequate safety features. Always verify a technician has been licensed and have valid license for laser treatments before seeking treatments from them; additionally, ask for a patch test beforehand, which most reputable cosmetologists will offer as an extra safeguard.
5. Seek Medical Attention
Laser hair removal is generally safe and effective treatment option; however, if you experience burns from a laser hair removal session it’s essential that you seek medical assistance immediately. Even minor burns can become infected quickly and may need medication prescribed by a doctor; to treat laser hair removal burns efficiently it is recommended to cool the area first, apply aloe vera gel and take pain relievers as soon as possible; for severe burns additional measures or surgery may be required.
As it can cushion burned skin and speed its recovery faster, blisters should not be broken open as this could compromise their protective benefits and slow healing time. Furthermore, blisters absorb fluid from underneath the surface skin layer, helping prevent infections and speed healing time. Furthermore, it’s wise not to use occlusive or greasy ointments which may retain heat and cause further harm to wounds.
If you have experienced burns from laser hair removal procedures, it is crucial that you immediately contact the beauty salon and demand to speak with the practitioner who performed them. In cases of negligence on their part – for instance not carrying out a patch test, misusing equipment improperly, or setting intensity levels incorrectly – claims against professionals may be filed to seek damages for injuries sustained during procedures.
Burns from laser hair removal procedures can be both painful and embarrassing, and may leave scarring that causes psychological trauma for those with darker skin tones. There are ways to lessen the likelihood of laser hair removal burns, including getting a patch test before beginning treatments and visiting a reputable beauty center with highly-trained staff; filing a laser burn injury claim to receive compensation for physical and emotional trauma sustained as a result of laser burn injuries may also provide you with compensation.
