Are There Any Side Effects of Laser Hair Removal?

Are There Any Side Effects of Laser Hair Removal?

Laser hair removal has emerged as a popular, safe, and effective alternative to traditional hair removal methods like shaving. The treatment stops hair follicles from growing new hair. Although considered safe, laser hair removal has a few risks associated with it. If you are looking to undergo laser hair removal, here are some potential laser hair removal side effects, you should discuss with your skin doctor.

What is Laser Hair Removal?

Laser hair removal is a cosmetic procedure that uses concentrated light energy to target and destroy hair follicles, thus stopping or delaying hair growth. In laser hair removal, surgeons use a laser that emits a highly concentrated beam of light. The beam of light is absorbed by the pigment in hair follicles. The light energy is converted into heat that damages the follicles and prevents hair growth.

Laser hair removal is effective in reducing or eliminating hair on the face, legs, arms, underarms, bikini lines, etc. However, the procedure proves more beneficial for people with darker hair and lighter skin, as the laser targets the contrast between the hair and the skin pigment. It requires multiple sessions across several weeks or months to target hair follicles in their growth stages. The procedure proves itself more effective during the hair’s active growth phase.

Potential Risks of Laser Hair Removal

Laser hair removal has some potential disadvantages or side effects. The treatment’s impact may vary from person to person. Besides, the severity of the side effects would also differ with the individual. However, some generic side effects of the laser hair removal treatment may include the following.

Skin Irritation

Some patients may experience redness, swelling, and temporary discomfort in the treated area immediately after the treatment. There’s nothing to worry about, as the symptoms usually subside within a few hours to a couple of days. However, excessive discomfort and prolonged symptoms should be medically administered to avoid letting them worsen and cause more damage.

Blistering

Blistering or crusting is rare. However, one cannot rule out its occurrence, especially when the treated area is exposed to the sun after the treatment. Adhering to the expert skin doctor’s aftercare treatment can help prevent its onset.

Scarring, Scabbing, or Infection

Scarring is another rare side effect. It can occur only when the individual fails to take proper aftercare of the skin. Some other uncommon side effects may include scabbing, burning, or textural changes in the skin. You must discuss these risks with your doctor to determine their probability in your case.

Pigment Changes

Another side effect of the laser hair removal treatment is the lightening or darkening of the skin. It is more common in people with darker skin tones. Again, these changes are usually temporary. But in rare cases, they may become permanent. Accordingly, you should discuss them with your doctor and understand the treatment’s potential impact in your case.

Who Shouldn’t Undergo Laser Hair Removal?

Although usually considered safe, laser hair removal should be avoided by the below.

• Pregnant women
• People with keloid scars
• Individuals on certain medications, for instance, acne treatments
• People with genital herpes (HSV-2) or are vulnerable to cold sores
• People who’ve had skin cancer

Every skin treatment has some side effect attached to it. It depends on the treatment’s specific suitability for every individual. Hence, you should discuss the treatment and its impact on your skin comprehensively and its suitability in your case to keep side effects at bay.

At Reborn Clinic, we believe in treating hair and skin issues safely and sustainably. Accordingly, our expert skin and hair doctors diagnose every case and determine the suitability based on the person’s specific condition. Explore more about our laser hair reduction treatment and connect with us to book an appointment at any of our clinics in Pune (Koregaon Park, Baner, or Karve Road) or Jaipur.