Laser hair removal is an efficient and painless solution to eliminate unwanted body hair. Additionally, laser treatments may also be used to lighten freckles and moles.
However, if your skin tone is dark or you have a tan, you could experience side effects like hyperpigmentation.
Laser heat can open your pores, which can result in side effects like these. To mitigate them, exfoliating regularly around the treated area may help.
The Light
Laser hair removal is a safe, effective way to reduce unwanted hair growth; however, it may have side effects. One such side effect is that laser treatment can darken freckles or moles before lightening occurs due to how light used during treatment is absorbed by pigment in your skin – specifically melanin found in hair and some freckles which absorbs light more readily causing them to appear darker as more light is absorbed from the laser source.
This isn’t usually an ongoing issue, but it may occur. To minimize its occurrence and ensure proper laser freckle removal treatments are completed successfully, avoid tanning and fake tanning treatments prior to beginning laser freckle removal treatments, waxing, threading or tweezing of treated areas as well as use sunscreen daily on any areas treated.
As part of the laser hair removal process, your skin will first be cleansed and covered in protective gel before laser pulses are used to target freckles or moles in short painless bursts. Most people find the experience pleasant with only slight sensations like rubber bands snapping or sunburn-like stinging as a side effect.
The treatment works by targeting the pigment in freckles and moles to break it apart; once broken apart, your body absorbs it naturally and the freckle or mole fades away over time. While this process may take months to complete, once completed the results are permanent. Note: pigment can return with UV radiation exposure – therefore wearing sunscreen every day is highly recommended to protect skin health.
If you are uncertain whether laser hair removal is safe for you, it is wise to speak to an experienced dermatologist. They will be able to give advice tailored specifically for your skin type on how best to treat freckles or moles with lasers, and help select an ideal laser device and treatment options that may be available to you.
The Heat
Laser hair removal utilizes high-heat energy to damage pigment cells found within hair follicles and prevent them from producing new hair, thus rendering this method effective at eliminating unwanted hair in most people. However, this same heat may affect other cells on your skin such as moles or freckles which could darken as a result of treatment.
Freckles contain more pigment than their surrounding skin, so when laser light hits freckles it primarily hits dark pigment and converts it to heat energy, shattering melanin inside freckles so they can shed naturally over time.
People often develop temporary rashes after laser treatments for this same reason: to indicate skin damage. Although not usually serious or itchy, this rash may become painful or uncomfortable at times; to relieve it apply a cool compress to the affected area; some individuals may also benefit from applying topical anti-itch cream or an ointment as needed.
Freckles that are already dark can darken further after laser hair removal because the light energy used in treatment destroys some of their melanin, similar to what happens with sunlight, although this doesn’t happen every time and usually fades over time.
People prone to acne on their faces may see their freckles darken after laser treatments due to the heat of the laser opening their pores and filling them with dead skin cells, leading to pus-filled bumps on their skin. After laser treatments, it is important for people with acne-prone faces to keep their skin clean and avoid products containing harsh chemicals in order to keep the pore openings clear, which will allow their freckles to heal properly and avoid scarring from scar tissue formation.
The Chemicals
Laser hair removal can be a safe and effective treatment option for freckles and pigmentation when administered by an experienced practitioner, but inexperienced hands could result in pigment irregularities or side effects that require medical intervention. When selecting your treatment option it’s essential to conduct adequate research into all available options before selecting an experienced practitioner at a reputable clinic or medical practice.
Laser treatment of freckles can provide a cost- and time-effective alternative to waxing or shaving, making it suitable for people with sensitive skin as it doesn’t involve shaving or anesthetics. Lasers work by absorbent light absorbing melanin found in high concentration in freckles; fragments of melanin then break apart under their influence before being shed off the skin surface as waste products.
Q-switched Ruby laser (694nm) is an effective laser treatment option for freckles. This wavelength attracts melanin strongly, making it suitable for eliminating dark spots like freckles and moles. Energy from the laser is released in short pulses lasting only nanoseconds; each pulse delivers enough concentrated energy to break apart melanin pigment particles in freckles.
During the procedure, it is normal for you to experience some redness and swelling of the skin, which should subside within one or two days. Your practitioner may recommend using ice packs or mild steroid creams to alleviate discomfort; additionally, sunscreen with at least SPF 30 protection must be used while your skin heals.
If you have light or fair skin, it is wise to avoid exposure to direct sunlight prior to receiving laser hair removal treatments. This is because lasers target pigment in hair follicles; otherwise they cannot distinguish between an actual hair follicle and your tanned skin.
Avoid taking medications that contain photosensitive chemicals, like antihistamines. They may make your skin more susceptible to sunlight and laser treatments; this is particularly true if you suffer from eczema or rosacea.
The Time
Most laser hair removal procedures take only minutes and rarely cause discomfort, however before beginning you will be asked to apply some cream on the area being treated to protect it against potential side effects caused by heat from the laser beam. This helps minimize any adverse side effects caused by its heat.
On the day of your appointment, any makeup or cream products used on the area being treated must be removed in order to provide optimal conditions for laser heat absorption by the area being treated and minimize side effects such as hyper or hypo pigmentation.
When seeking laser hair removal to treat freckles, it is crucial that your practitioner uses a treatment with appropriate settings and laser type tailored specifically to your skin tone. A higher energy setting will help dissolve any excess melanin present in the freckles causing them to dissipate more rapidly – as well as avoid exposure to sunlight prior to and during treatment.
As part of your procedure, you may experience a subtle stinging sensation from the laser’s energy being released by it – many have described this feeling as similar to having their rubber bands snap or sunburn-like sensations.
The wavelength of the q-switched ruby laser is highly attractive to melanin, making it easy for it to target freckles containing this pigment and destroy them quickly and safely. Although your freckles will appear darker following treatment, they should gradually fade over time as your body processes them away.
Alternatively, if your freckles appear too dark following laser treatments, covering them with white pencil or concealer may help shield them from laser light and prevent any unwelcome regrowth.
There is no guarantee that freckles won’t return following your laser treatments, but regular sun protection and avoiding tanning should help them from darkening further. In addition, it is wise to visit your dermatologist regularly so they can monitor any changes to your freckles or moles that may arise.
