Bumps and itching may occur after laser hair removal due to damage done to your follicles during treatment, often as temporary effects. Understanding their causes and finding ways to address them effectively are vital steps towards success.
Your skin may feel itchy and appear red after receiving laser therapy; this is perfectly normal and will subside within 24-48 hours.
Redness
Redness is one of the more commonly experienced side effects after laser hair removal, although this should diminish over time as your treatment takes effect. This sign that hair follicles are responding positively can be soothed with cool washcloth or aloe vera application to the area.
Laser hair removal often causes itching as the heat from the laser opens up your pores, allowing debris and dead skin cells to get trapped beneath them, prompting your body to create pus-filled pimples in an attempt to expel these substances. While it can be tempting to pick at these pimples, doing so could leave permanent scarring behind.
Your skin may become slightly discolored after laser hair removal treatment. This occurs because lasers remove melanin from the skin, so if you were heavily tanned prior to going in for treatment it may mistake this for hair and expel pigment from that area resulting in brown, blueish or pink discolorations that will fade over time.
Once your laser hair removal session is over, take extra caution not to expose your skin directly to sunlight as this can reactivate hair follicles and lead to new hair growth. Also avoid physical activities that increase body temperature such as exercise and hot showers as these could contribute to this reactivation process. Finally, your skin must remain free from makeup, deodorant and any other skincare products until fully healed.
After your session, it is recommended to apply a gentle exfoliant to the treated area in the days following to prevent ingrown hairs and clogged pores, while an ice pack wrapped in towel can reduce swelling and discomfort. These precautions can have an immense impact on the outcome of treatments – be sure to speak to your dermatologist if any concerns arise regarding post-treatment skin reactions.
Swelling
Unwanted hair growth on your body and face can be an annoyance. Shaving, waxing and plucking can take time away from other activities you want to pursue. Laser hair removal offers a solution for these tasks by shortening their duration while simultaneously decreasing time spent doing them manually. But it is important to remain aware of possible side effects associated with laser hair removal treatments before proceeding.
Swelling occurs when laser treatment damages hair follicles or roots on the surface of skin. This could last from several minutes up to an hour depending on where it’s being done; you might experience what some describe as “stings,” while you might also detect an unpleasant sulfurous scent due to laser heat vaporizing your follicles.
If you’re concerned about experiencing swelling after laser hair removal, speak to your practitioner beforehand. They will advise how best to protect the affected areas as well as provide any cooling gels or ointments which could provide comfort to soothe your skin.
However, laser treatments don’t typically result in blisters when performed by medically-grade devices in clinics. If a blister does occur, treat it like any other blister; avoid popping or picking at it to avoid infection and scarring.
Apply a moisturiser or ointment directly onto the blister, using a cooling compress if necessary to reduce swelling. Avoid direct sunlight as much as possible and consider taking an over-the-counter antihistamine to relieve itching and swelling.
Laser hair removal may lead to bumps, as the pores become clogged by dead skin cells and bacteria, leaving your skin sensitive and itchy, but healing must still occur; to do this best keep your pores clean while not using products which irritate them.
Itching
Laser hair removal often leads to itching as one of its side effects; this typically wears off within 24 hours or so. Like redness and swelling, itching may result from your body reacting negatively to the treatment as laser heat disrupts or damages hair follicles in order to inhibit future hair growth.
If you experience itching after laser hair removal, try soothing the area with cool compresses, ice packs or over-the-counter hydrocortisone cream. If this doesn’t provide relief, consult with your dermatologist who may prescribe stronger topical corticosteroids if necessary.
Bumps and itching are part of the healing process after any laser treatment, typically because the laser light heats pigments in hair follicles which causes irritation to nearby skin. Bumps may also occur if there is infection in one of your hair follicles – known as folliculitis which can be both painful and itchy.
Scratching itchy bumps is best avoided as this may cause scarring and increase the risk of infection. If itching persists, seek medical advice as they may prescribe oral medication to ease itching while protecting the skin further from damage.
Avoid harsh cleansers or exfoliating products on areas that have been treated as they can irritate and worsen itching. Instead, use sunscreens with high SPF ratings and broad spectrum coverage, like SPF50+ for maximum sun protection.
When searching for laser hair removal treatments, it’s essential to choose a reliable practitioner and facility with experienced, qualified therapists. Also ensure that any equipment purchased meets manufacturer certification – this ensures safe and effective treatments tailored specifically to your skin type.
Pain
Laser hair removal treatment typically does not cause pain. If the area to be treated is sensitive, a topical numbing agent can be applied prior to beginning to reduce any discomfort during the procedure. As with most procedures, pain depends on where you’re treating; darker hairs may be more uncomfortable to remove than lighter ones.
At each treatment session, a laser technician will use a handheld laser instrument to press against the skin. Depending on the type of laser chosen, its tip may feature cooling gel or devices designed to protect and minimize side effects. As energy passes through the skin and into hair follicles, its energy changes their pigment and stops further hair growth follicles from producing hairs – eventually inhibiting future hair growth altogether. Though heat produced from laser treatments isn’t enough to cause burns, some individuals may feel discomfort from its heat source in sensitive areas like legs or bikini lines.
Laser hair removal typically results in immediate redness and bumps immediately following treatment, which usually subside within hours. Itching may occur near where lasered was performed but it is essential not to scratch as doing so could lead to infections and scarring. Instead, applying cooling cream such as fragrance-free aloe vera or over-the-counter 1% hydrocortisone cream can provide cooling relief to relieve itching or burning sensations; cold compresses like wet washcloths wrapped with paper towels can soothe skin conditions as well as reduce swelling.
If the redness and bumps do not subside or worsen, seeking professional advice is recommended to find an appropriate treatment option. In addition to taking preventive steps like limiting sun exposure and using gentle exfoliants, laser hair removal could also provide help to achieve smooth, bump-free skin. Get in touch with us now to arrange a consultation session – we look forward to assisting your journey towards healthy skin!
