Laser hair removal is an effective solution to dealing with unwanted facial hair. It is quicker than waxing and less painful; giving long term results.
As with any cosmetic procedure, laser hair removal does come with potential side effects; most commonly redness and swelling. Furthermore, your skin will be extra-sensitive to sunlight following laser therapy treatment.
Redness
Your skin may feel tender and red after receiving laser hair removal treatments, due to the laser device contacting it directly, potentially causing irritation and itching. While some individuals experience itching or discomfort after their procedure, this should usually pass quickly with application of an ice pack or moisturizer. Some individuals also report experiencing a small rash after treatment but this typically clears up over time.
When performing facial laser hair removal, a dermatologist or cosmetic surgeon will use a hand-held device to press against your skin before rapidly pulsing a laser over it. This may feel similar to having elastic bands snap against you, and can often be quite uncomfortable; therefore, some individuals opt for taking oral analgesics before their procedure to help ease the pain of treatment.
Once your laser session is over, your physician will give you specific instructions regarding pre and post-treatment care. Always adhere to these recommendations, as doing so will decrease the risk of infection and side effects. Should adverse reactions arise it’s important that you inform both yourself and your dermatologist of what happened so they can assist accordingly. If any negative experiences do arise it’s also vital that they are made aware.
Your face can become more susceptible to sunlight following laser hair removal treatment, so it is wise to limit sun exposure for several days post-procedure and wear broad spectrum sunscreen that protects from both UVA and UVB radiation. Some individuals may notice minor variations in skin tone post-laser treatment, especially those with lighter complexions; such changes could involve darker or lighter hues but typically fade with time.
Prior to any laser appointment, it is crucial that patients refrain from waxing or shaving the area as this can disrupt hair follicles and increase side effects. Other hair removal treatments like tweezing or plucking should also be avoided, while chemical peels and other skin treatments must also be avoided as these could irritate facial structures and disrupt treatment results.
Swelling
Laser hair removal can be an effective and time-efficient solution to unwanted facial and body hair growth. The procedure eliminates the need for razor shaving, tweezing, threading, waxing or plucking which can be time consuming and painful; however it may cause temporary side effects like redness, swelling and discomfort which typically fade with time.
Epidermal irritation after laser hair removal usually first affects the outer layer of skin known as the epidermis, due to heat energy from laser light damaging melanin cells in this layer and causing swelling. Although sensitive areas may feel itchy or sensitive to touch for up to 48 hours following laser treatment, cooling gel or an ice pack can provide soothing comfort from pain and inflammation.
After receiving laser hair removal treatments, your skin may appear red, swollen, and itchy. It’s essential that sunlight be avoided after treatments as well as using broad spectrum sunscreen regularly to keep skin safe from further harm. You might notice scabbing or crusting in the affected area which is completely normal – avoid harsh cleansers by applying cooling creams or ointments instead.
Some individuals might experience minor pigmentation changes following laser hair removal, though this typically resolves over time; those with lighter complexions are particularly prone.
Treatment might also interfere with one’s menstrual cycle; however, this is only an anecdotal side effect and no scientific evidence supports it. Furthermore, the treatment could lead to more acne breakouts if you have oily skin.
Laser hair removal treatments are generally safe if performed by an experienced dermatologist, so when searching for a clinic that offers this procedure it’s wise to find one with extensive training and experience in laser hair removal. When doing your own research or asking family or friends who have undergone the procedure for recommendations it can also be useful to read up on reviews that other patients have shared regarding service and results.
Discomfort
As the laser vaporizes hairs, it may cause minor discomfort; the amount of pain experienced depends on both an individual’s threshold for pain and the area being treated. Some describe the sensation as small stings while others compare it to having rubber bands snapped against your skin. Most discomfort typically subsides within an hour following treatment and applying a cold compress can assist with faster recovery time.
Redness and swelling of the treatment area is another common side effect, similar to waxing or other hair removal processes, and can be reduced by avoiding direct sunlight after treatment and following your dermatologist’s aftercare instructions. If symptoms persist, speak to your physician to discuss other treatments or alternatives tailored specifically to your skin type and color.
Facial laser hair removal may occasionally have the unfortunate side effect of lightening skin around the treated area, particularly for people of Mediterranean, Middle Eastern or South Asian heritage. However, this temporary effect can easily be reversed with moisturizers.
Laser hair removal often causes changes to skin pigmentation. These can affect both dark and light skin tones, although most likely only within areas treated. These pigment changes could be due to interaction between laser light and the surface of skin or an imbalance of hormones affecting hormone balance, or both.
Although laser hair removal may cause certain side effects, many patients are satisfied with its results. According to studies conducted, it has proven itself safe and effective in helping those living with hirsutism reduce hair growth over time. If laser hair removal could be right for you, the best way to find out would be arranging an appointment with an experienced dermatologist.
Pine Belt Dermatology offers a range of laser treatments, such as facial laser hair removal. If you are interested in this and other cosmetic options, call and schedule an appointment with one of our team of experts; they can discuss all risks and benefits before helping determine whether laser is the appropriate treatment option for you.
Infection
After laser hair removal, it is crucial to use a moisturizing cream with broad-spectrum sunscreen protection in order to help guard against infection and facilitate healing faster. If red, itchy or painful skin appears, it should be reported immediately to a physician as this could indicate infection within your system.
Most facial laser hair removal treatments cause infections; however, common side effects from laser hair removal include redness, small bumps, and irritation in the treated area. While these symptoms should subside within hours or days, patients should continue using mild cleansers until all inflammation has subsided before using an abrasive cleanser in that area or using cooling creams that soothe skin irritations.
People with dark skin may experience hyperpigmentation after laser hair removal, while lighter complexions usually do not experience it. Furthermore, this procedure may cause hair growth stimulation for some types of blonde, gray and red locks; it should also stimulate future regrowth for some varieties of hair growth stimulation; it is not advised for those with thin or fragile skin due to potential tissue damage from laser exposure that could scar them permanently.
Laser hair removal is generally safe and effective for most individuals. However, pregnant women and those living with herpes simplex virus 2 (HSV-2) are advised against receiving laser treatment. Furthermore, individuals taking certain anti-inflammatory or blood thinning drugs should consult a dermatologist prior to getting laser hair removal treatment.
Laser hair removal offers permanent solutions in just six sessions, eliminating the need for shaving, tweezing and waxing. It can also be used on other parts of the body to reduce hair growth. Some health specialists claim laser hair removal causes varicose veins; however there has been no scientific proof. Studies show laser hair removal to be significantly more effective than needle electrolysis or waxing at removing unwanted hair; its success ultimately hinges on its practitioner, precautions taken prior to and post treatment as well as providing adequate after care of treated areas.
