The Temporary Side Effects of Laser Hair Removal: What To Expect From Your Treatment

laser hair removal

Whether you are embarking upon your first or fifth laser hair removal treatment, it’s essential to understand the potential side effects that could occur. The truth is that there are many temporary side effects possible, even if you have not previously experienced them in your past treatments.

Some of the temporary side effects from laser hair removal treatment include:

  •  Pain
  •  Swelling
  •  Folliculitis
  •  Redness
  •  Hyperpigmentation
  •  Blistering

Many of these side effects can be avoided by sticking to the precautionary measures advised by your laser hair removal specialist and also by using a trained technician to administer your laser procedure. If your laser hair removal technician is not highly qualified, you are more likely to experience temporary side effects like blistering and hyperpigmentation.

One more thing to remember is that you must adhere to all of the guidelines before treating your skin. For example, it is not advised to tan or have sun exposure up to 30 days before your laser hair removal treatment. If you forget or provide false information, you will likely blister or experience hyperpigmentation because your skin has too much melanin below the surface.

laser hair removal
Image by Alterio Felines from Pixabay

As a basic overview, pain is a very common side effect of laser hair removal. Many specialists will allow you to use a topical numbing agent after your first treatment to prevent excessive pain in the skin. If you are undergoing your first treatment, using a topical numbing agent is not recommended because your laser hair removal technician needs to know how your skin reacts to plan further treatments and laser settings.

If you are undergoing your first treatment and the pain is severe, you can ask your laser hair removal technician to stop, and you can make an appointment for another treatment using a topical numbing agent to reduce the pain. You can also expect your skin to be sore to the touch for up to 48 hours after your laser treatment, but the pain will subside.

If you experience swelling after your laser hair removal treatment, that is actually normal. The laser penetrates heat energy below the surface of your skin, and if you have susceptible skin, it is common for it to swell. This is also true in more delicate areas, like your upper lip, bikini area, and other facial skin areas. That is precisely why you are not advised to schedule your laser hair removal before any special event, like a wedding, vacation, or any time you will be taking pictures.

The odds are that you may swell after your laser hair removal as a temporary side effect, so make sure to treat well before any special occasions.

Folliculitis is also another common side effect that is only temporary. It involves the swelling of the follicles, and it will look like red bumps on the skin. This is a good side effect because it shows your treatment is working. You may experience severe folliculitis on your bikini or any other area with very dense hair. If you have coarse hair on your face as a woman, or if you are a man treating your beard area with laser hair removal, then you can count on having severe folliculitis because it will take more laser energy to kill the hair at the root in denser areas.

The folliculitis will subside within a few days, but it is crucial to keep track of how long you have folliculitis so that you can tell your laser hair removal technician upon your subsequent treatment in case it is an extreme reaction. Likewise, redness is another very common side effect that will subside within a few days. This is especially true in sensitive areas.

However, if you experience blistering or hyperpigmentation, it is essential to call your laser hair removal center immediately to alert them of any reaction you may have had. Blistering can often occur if you have had sun exposure or if an improper technique was used in the laser hair removal. If the blisters are not appropriately treated, they can lead to hyperpigmentation, which is dark skin surface areas caused by outside damage.

The Pros And Cons Of Laser Hair Removal

While this approach to a more permanent hair removal solution has become widespread, it is recommended that before submitting yourself to this procedure, you understand the pros and cons of the procedure, especially the side effects.

While laser hair removal has become the go-to procedure for most people seeking a more permanent approach than other solutions. However, we have compiled a list of questions and answers that may be bothering your mind before your first appointment.

Is laser hair removal a safe option?

Most people who have chosen the laser hair removal option have found it to be a safe way to deal with hair growth in unwanted areas of the body. Being a safe and well-tolerated procedure, laser hair removal does not appear to present any real long-term health risk, making it a perfect choice for hair removal.

In some cases, some people have registered some mild side effects as a result of the laser hair removal procedure. To prevent such minor side effects, it is recommended that before submitting yourself fully for the process, a small patch of your skin should be tested for reactions to the treatment before application on a larger skin area.

You should also choose a qualified and licensed professional to handle all your laser hair removal needs.

Also Read: Learn More About Montreal Laser Hair Removal

Should I expect pain during laser hair removal?

Hair plucking is painful, so most people expect the same pain level from other hair removal procedures. However, for laser hair removal, there is little or no pain associated with the procedure. Some people may, however, experience a sensation similar to sunburn in areas treated, as it may appear red and tender.

Common side effects of laser hair removal

Several people who have tried laser hair removal procedures have reported various mild side effects following the procedure. Below are some of the common side effects anyone can experience. Please note that none of the listed side effects have a lasting effect on affected people.

Redness and irritation

Laser hair removal targets damaging hair follicles to discourage further hair growth. The body, in reaction to this, may become red and irritable. The affected area may swell, become tender, or tingle. These symptoms are usually short-lived. The affected area may appear like you have been sunburned, waxed, or plucked.

Crusting

bg vascular therapy 1Some may experience skin crusting in the affected area due to skin reaction to the inconvenience. Crusting may sometime lead to scarring or scabbing. This can, however, be prevented by taking proper care of the area after laser hair removal. By adding moisturizers, you can prevent any real damage to the skin.

Skin color changes

Minor pigmentation or skin discoloration may be visible after the hair removal procedure. The skin may appear to be slightly darker or lighter depending on the skin tone of the affected person. People with darker skin tones are more prone to lighter pigmentation, while those with lighter skin tones may experience darker pigmentation.

The risk of serious eye injury also abounds, especially when the practitioner is working on the face of the patient. It is recommended that both the person receiving the treatment and the expert wear protective eye equipment.

As a rule of thumb, if you have a concern about any side effects from your laser hair removal treatment, make sure to contact your laser hair removal center immediately to receive the best care and preventative treatment!

2 Comments

  1. Laser hair removal is the best technology to remove your body hair. Our experience is that when I was go to the Klinik esthetika (it is the skin and beauty clinic) this clinic well maintained and the world class technology, and there Doctor are well trained and experienced. When the doctor was removed my hair there has no pain and hair was removed very softly. In my view Klinik Esthetika is the best clinic for hair removal. Klinikesthetika.com

  2. MIC knows we’re adults and respects the fact that we can make our own decisions. Nobody’s going to be bossing you around to study nor will they give a damn if you miss a class or come late. But the college expects you to do all those things out of respect for your own future. For those looking for a good academic experience surrounded by carefree students and teachers, MIC is the way to go. 🙂

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