Common side effects of laser hair removal may include redness, irritation, and skin color changes that typically subside within hours after treatment.
Symptoms that become severe or worse or that worsen over time should be seen by the practitioner who performed your treatment and can provide advice and assistance.
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Redness
Your skin may become red and tender during laser hair removal treatment due to the heat generated by the laser in the area of the hair follicle.
Redness generally subsides within 3-4 hours; however, its duration could last longer depending on your hair type and skin sensitivity.
If your skin is particularly sensitive, a topical cream like Restorative Gel or Lux MD could help relieve its discomfort. Also, avoid exfoliating as this could increase irritation and breakouts.
After laser treatments, it is vital to avoid direct sun exposure. Since laser technology targets the pigment in hair follicles, protecting yourself with sunscreen will help avoid hyperpigmentation and ensure an ideal result.
Swelling
Laser treatment for hair removal on the face is an effective and popular solution to eliminate unwanted facial hair for good. Suitable for both men and women alike.
Laser therapy involves using a laser that precisely targets and destroys dark pigment in hair follicles, providing quick and pain-free results with long-term effects.
After your treatment, your skin may appear red and puffy – this condition is called follicular edema and should subside within hours.
Apply cold compresses or ice directly to the affected area to minimize swelling and redness, or take over-the-counter medication to manage discomfort.
Avoid hot water, saunas, and steam rooms in the treated area to minimize irritation and burning. In between treatments, exfoliating can also help keep skin soft and smooth, suggests our dermatologist in Mumbai.
Change in skin color
Laser treatment for hair removal is an effective solution to permanently get rid of facial hair. The procedure works by targeting dark follicles to destroy their ability to produce new growth.
However, it’s essential to keep in mind that your skin tone plays an integral part in the success of laser hair removal treatments; people with darker complexions typically achieve better outcomes from laser hair removal treatments.
Due to the laser’s affinity for melanin (pigment) in skin and hair follicles, patients tend to attract treatments more effectively than before.
As part of an array of factors that contribute to laser side effects, sun exposure before and after treatment could make your skin more reactive to laser light.
Laser treatments may produce temporary changes to skin color that eventually dissipate over time and return to their previous state. Patients can protect their skin from these side effects by wearing high-SPF sunscreen and limiting exposure to sunlight.
Irritation
Laser hair removal on the face is generally safe, with minimal side effects. Some individuals may experience mild redness, swelling, or irritation after their initial laser session.
Most cases of irritation are temporary and should subside within an hour or so. Your physician can recommend anti-inflammatory cream or an ice pack to keep the area comfortable.
As part of your preparation for laser hair removal, it is advisable to avoid shaving or waxing in the treatment area for at least a few weeks prior to treatment. In addition, any blood-thinning medications like aspirin or anti-inflammatory drugs should also be discussed with your physician as possible ways of avoidance.
Conclusion
Light pulses from laser energy absorb by pigment or melanin found in hair follicles, damaging hair follicles and preventing future growth, explains our Celebrity dermatologist in Mumbai. As more melanin accumulates, more light energy it absorbed – leading to additional damage for each melanin infiltrated into the follicle. This results in further hair damage over time.
