Laser treatments use thermal energy to cauterize blood vessels that feed hair follicles, ultimately leading to their death and stopping their ability to produce new hair growth. This treatment option has proven safe and effective in most instances.
Some medications can have an adverse impact on laser treatments, including antibiotics, cold and flu medications, mood regulators and others that make you more sensitive to its heat.
1. It Can Cause Hyperpigmentation
Laser treatments are an efficient and swift way to quickly get rid of unwanted hair, with small areas (like armpits) taking less than five minutes, while larger ones like legs could take up to half an hour. While laser hair removal stings – think rubber band snapping against the skin–each hair follicle is targeted in milliseconds for elimination.
Preventing possible side effects during and after treatment requires certain precautions, including discontinuing products that contain tanning agents like self-tanners or spray tans at least two weeks before your session, and limiting sun exposure on the treatment area. Furthermore, antibiotics or light-sensitive medications should be avoided 14 days prior to an appointment.
Hyperpigmentation is one of the more frequently experienced side effects from laser treatments, occurring when laser rays reach your upper layers of skin and cause damage that causes an increase in melanin production resulting in brown, gray or tan spots or patches forming as a result of increased melanin production. Depending on its severity, hyperpigmentation may or may not be permanent.
Laser treatments typically don’t cause complications for most patients, but it is wise to always visit a plastic surgeon who specializes in these procedures for best results. They will know how best to utilize the laser safely and efficiently which will reduce any chances of pigmentation issues in future treatments.
If you’re seeking laser hair removal treatments, your physician should understand how to treat different skin types. They should know about the Fitzpatrick scale which measures how different colors of skin respond to UV light exposure, and will be able to recommend an ideal laser for you.
At first, after your treatment session you might experience some redness and bumps at the treatment site; these should disappear within several hours to one day. Furthermore, it’s normal for skin shedding hair as dead follicles shed dead hair into their natural pathways.
2. It Can Cause a Skin Burn
Laser treatments involve pulses of light that target individual hair follicles with pulses of light. While it can be painful at first, most patients find relief quickly. When combined with antibiotic treatment for sensitive skin conditions such as acne or acne scarring, the pain often subsides quickly. Unfortunately, taking antibiotics could make matters even worse as antibiotics could make skin extra-sensitive and cause the laser treatment to burn the surface rather than killing hair follicles.
Damage from this kind of infection can leave behind a prominent scar or patch of uneven skin color, so the best thing you can do if taking antibiotics is waiting until all their effects have subsided before scheduling laser treatment – this will ensure it’s as successful as possible.
If you are taking antibiotics, it is wise to avoid direct sunlight exposure and spray tanning before receiving a laser treatment as their UV rays increase the risk of redness, discoloration and skin damage post-procedure.
At your appointment, it is essential to be open with your laser technician about all medications that you are currently taking – particularly photosensitive ones – in order to determine whether a break may be needed until they have cleared from your system.
If you are uncertain whether your prescription or over-the-counter medications are photosensitive, seek further clarification from a member of Philosophy of Beauty team prior to initiating laser treatment. They can provide further clarification before your appointment date.
When it comes to reducing risks, scheduling laser treatment with an experienced plastic surgeon or dermatologist is of utmost importance. Their experience will reduce your likelihood of experiencing complications related to laser resurfacing. Furthermore, these professionals will help find you an adapted device tailored specifically for you based on factors such as skin color and hair texture preferences.
3. It Can Cause Inflammation
Laser therapy is an innovative healing approach that can effectively decrease inflammation. This noninvasive procedure uses red and near-infrared light waves to stimulate skin, cartilage, ligaments, muscles, nerves, tendons, nerves and tendons for improved healing after injury or illness. Laser therapy has shown its efficacy against chronic inflammation as well as acute pain from injuries or illnesses.
Be mindful of any risks involved with this treatment option before undergoing it, yet by taking necessary precautions you can enjoy its advantages without suffering major side effects.
Before beginning laser treatments, be sure to inform your dermatologist of all medications and supplements you are currently taking, in order to ensure none could interact negatively with the light and heat produced by laser treatments. Furthermore, avoid tanning beds or sunbathing before and after laser sessions as this increases your risk of hyperpigmentation.
Another key thing to keep in mind when scheduling laser treatments is not scheduling them during your menstrual cycle, since women experience increased sensitivity to pain at this time of month. Furthermore, it’s best to go in to your appointment feeling fresh – avoid shaving and other forms of body grooming in the days prior to your appointment as this could compromise its results and may hinder its efficacy.
If you are scheduled for laser treatment of varicose veins, it is vital that all maintenance appointments are attended without fail in order to achieve the best possible results. Missing one or more treatments could slow the pace at which your varicose veins will disappear and may even bring back symptoms.
If you are scheduled for laser hair removal treatment, it is essential that you attend all scheduled appointments to maximize results. Missing one appointment should not make a noticeable difference to how quickly hair grows back after you finish treatment.
4. It Can Cause a Skin Rash
Laser hair removal is a noninvasive treatment that uses pulses of light energy to target and destroy hair follicles, usually over two or six treatments. When on antibiotics, however, healing processes may become impaired and make any redness, irritation or itching associated with laser treatment worse.
Antibiotics can increase sunlight sensitivity as they increase photoreactive compounds in your body, leading to reactions similar to sunburn such as redness or blistering. A common result may be a rash that looks and feels similar. Other reactions could even include blistering.
While you’re on antibiotics following laser treatment, it is wise to avoid direct sun exposure for several days following laser therapy. This includes no tanning beds or self-tanning products as well as wearing a hat when out and about. In addition, use sunscreen with an SPF rating above 30 to protect your skin from UV rays.
Before beginning laser treatment, it’s crucial that the area being addressed be shaved. This is because small amounts of hair make for more effective laser sessions than treating bare skin alone. You should also refrain from bleaching, waxing or plucking this area before or after laser sessions.
Depending on the antibiotic you’re taking, it may be advisable to postpone laser treatment altogether. Because certain antibiotics contain blood thinners which interfere with laser’s ability to destroy hair follicles effectively and could result in ineffective results and even permanent skin damage.
No matter which antibiotics you’re taking, it is always wise to consult your physician on any procedures or medications that you intend on having. They will be able to advise if the treatment is safe for your current health status and recommend other therapies which might work better – they may even offer tips on how to prepare for your procedure; for example shave prior to visiting and remove makeup and lotion from affected areas as they may suggest this will make preparation for it much smoother and quicker.
