You know that feeling you get when you just want to rip your skin off? The one that makes your face feel like it’s going to explode? Yeah, me too. And sometimes, I think laser hair removal is to blame.
Acne is one of the most frequent side effects of laser hair removal, but this is true of any cosmetic procedure. Acne that appears after laser hair removal can be upsetting and uncomfortable because it can detract from the skin’s smooth, flawless appearance.
The first chemical is called phenol (not to be confused with phenyl, which is a different thing altogether). Phenol is used both pre- and post-treatment in order to sterilize your skin. This article also covers how to treat itchy red bumps that appear after laser hair removal and acne caused by it.
This post also discusses how to treat acne caused by laser hair removal and itchy red bumps after laser hair removal.
Can Laser Hair Removal Cause Acne
Another chemical found in many lasers is hydrogen peroxide. This substance is less likely than phenol to cause acne outbreaks on its own, but it can irritate your skin if applied.
Common laser hair removal side effects and how to fix or prevent them
Laser hair removal can provide an amazing life change for those who suffer from unwanted hair. It can be an easy way to remove a large portion of body hair permanently. However, the procedure can come with some pesky post-treatment, short-term side effects. The good news is that these can be easily cured with the right aftercare and precautions.
Below is a list of common laser hair removal side effects you can expect from your treatment, along with ways to fix or prevent them.
If you’re looking for Vancouver laser hair removal (in Surrey), we can help! We use the top laser for the job, while keeping safety top of mind (always!)
Redness and irritation
You may experience some redness, small bumps, irritation, and temporary discomfort directly after a treatment, but only on the area that was lasered.
This is temporary and should go away on its own within a few hours to a couple days. However, you can help soothe the area by using a cooling cream. For example, try a fragrance-free aloe vera, or non-comedogenic aftersun products). You can also use ice packs or cold wash cloths as compresses to reduce swelling, or sensations of burning or itching.
Avoid using harsh cleansers or exfoliants on the treated area. This will only irritate the skin further.
Slight discoloration
After laser hair removal treatments, your skin may appear slightly discolored. This is a temporary side effect and usually goes away on its own within a week or so.
If you have any severe pain, in addition to discoloration, you should call your laser treatment provider right away, or see a doctor. You should not feel like you are ‘on fire.’
That said, some discomfort is expected. It is common to feel like you have razor burn after laser hair removal. But, it is not common to feel debilitated by pain.
If you’re unsure whether or not your symptoms are serious, call and ask the clinic you went to for this service. They may ask you to come in for an assessment (especially if a doctor runs the clinic). If that is the case, don’t delay going back so they can take a look, and advise further.
Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (‘burn marks’)
Some people call these scars, but they are not quite the same thing. Permanent, post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation can create a ‘burn mark’ if a laser was used inappropriately during hair removal sessions. They can be hard to reverse (though steps can be taken to try to reduce their appearance).
Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation is the result of skin being affected by the laser treatment, instead of the hair follicle only. Ideally, a laser should not do this. However, since laser light is attracted to pigment, tanned skin, or certain skin tones, can be more susceptible to this side effect. If the laser is set too high for the context in which it is being used, the chances for ‘burn marks’ can increase.
This is why we can’t stress enough that seeking a treatment like laser hair removal is very serious. It should only be done in a professional setting. It’s nothing like waxing at a spa, nor even like electrolysis with needles.
As a precaution, you should never, ever (we mean never) undergo laser treatments if you have recently been exposed to the sun. Even if you are not fully bronzed, sun exposure can spur melanocyte activity in your skin. This will make you more sensitive to hyperpigmentation from laser treatments.
You should also avoid the sun after treatments, and wear high-SPF, broad spectrum sunscreen daily.
If you do find yourself with a permanent burn mark or scar that won’t go away after laser hair removal, you should start by contacting your provider. If it is a medically-run clinic, they will likely be your best bet. This is because they will have information about how your scar may have happened to begin with. If they don’t have access to a doctor, you should seek medical care on your own.
Acne and pimples
After your laser hair removal sessions, acne may appear on the treatment area. This side effect happens when pores get clogged. Since the heat of the laser opens up your pores, your skin will be sensitive to these very tiny infections. They happen the same way as any acne would – dead skin cells and bacteria can’t escape, so they create a puss-filled bubble as your body tries to get them out.
This issue can be prevented with a proper, post-lasering treatment regime. Keep the area clean. Avoid putting on makeup, deodorant or other cosmetics directly after sessions. This will allow the skin to ‘breathe’ while it heals. You want to keep that ‘pathway’ open for the pores to clear out debris.
But, do keep using the cooling creams or ointments that a doctor suggests, to keep irritation down.
If acne persists after laser hair removal, it can be helped with a triple-antibiotic ointment. This type of product can be found over-the-counter at most drugstores. A doctor can advise you on which one you need (another reason to only use a doctor-led medical spa for any laser treatment).
You should refrain from picking or popping the acne spots, to avoid scarring.
Blisters
Since lasers use heat from light energy to destroy hair follicles, they can create blisters, like a burn would. However, this would be unusual in a medically-run clinic, and when using the most modern devices.
One basic part of training with laser hair removal technicians is to keep the skin cool during the procedure. This is so that the laser heats only the pigments in the hair shaft, and not the skin. You may be iced during sessions, to achieve this.
Some lasers are so ahead of this issue, they include cooling devices into their handpieces. This way, additional icing is not always necessary.
If you get a blister from laser hair removal, allow it to heal as you would any other blister. Use a wound healing cream to avoid infection. Do not try to pop the blister.
Be sure to tell your provider that you got the blister, and ask them what measures they will take to prevent it from happening again.
Hair regrowth
It is possible to be lasered too much. Laser hair removal can only achieve about 80 – 90% hair reduction in a single treatment area. If it is overdone, it can reactivate hair follicles.
The best way to handle this is with prevention. Your laser clinic provider should not be over-aggressive in attempting to remove 100% of your hairs.
If you want that baby-bare skin, electrolysis may help to clear out the few strands that remain, after laser hair removal has taken you most of the way there. However, many people are happy to do at-home maintenance on these leftover hairs. Waxing or shaving is a lot easier when there is less hair to begin with. However, you should only do this after your series of laser treatments are completely done.
Laser hair removal side effects are minimal and temporary, when the procedure is done safely
While severe side effects are possible, most of the time, laser hair removal poses very minimal risk. Most issues are temporary. However, the length of time side effects last can depend on the practitioner performing the procedure, and the measures you take to both prepare for sessions, and care for your skin afterwards.
If you experience rare, long-term side-effects, or if you are not certain they are related to your laser hair removal sessions, always call your provider. Ask to speak with a doctor on staff.
Keep Yourself Safe from Laser Hair Removal Injuries
As a final word, we will also say this:
Don’t fall for “back door” offices and “cheap deals” with laser hair removal. Some of these places even come with fancy signage and beautiful websites. The questions should ultimately be: is a doctor running this clinic? What is their experience in the industry? Who trains the staff that does treatments? What are the staff qualifications? And so on…
Lasers are not regulated, so anyone can acquire them. That leaves it completely up to the consumer to determine whether they are getting a quality, safe treatment.
That’s a shame. And that’s why, in 2011, we pioneered an organization calling for standardization in the industry. It’s called the BC Society of Aesthetic Physicians (BCSAP).
Many doctors feel the same way, especially after a woman was left with a slew of burn marks on her legs and genital area. Read more on that in this article by the CBC (opens a new tab).
In the meantime, you can do a lot to prevent the worst side effects of laser hair removal, by doing your research, and choosing a quality provider.
If you are looking for Vancouver laser hair removal (in Surrey), we can help. Start by booking a consultation, and we’ll let you know what it will take to safely remove your unwanted hair.
How to Treat Pimples After Laser Hair Removal
Acne breakouts after laser treatment can be avoided with the right aftercare and regular skincare routine. Following a laser hair removal procedure, your skin will need special care, and here are three ways to give it that:
Don’t let the treatment room get dirty.
After a laser treatment, it’s essential to wash the skin thoroughly to get rid of any leftover debris or bacteria. To reduce swelling and redness, try using an astringent, like witch hazel. Tea tree oil is an anti-inflammatory and antiseptic that may be useful.
Heavy creams and oils should be avoided as much as possible in the immediate post-procedure period, as they can clog pores and diminish the effectiveness of the treatment. Makeup, deodorant, lotion, cosmetics, and scented cosmetics should all be avoided to allow the skin to heal while retaining its ability to breathe. They would have an easier time clearing out debris and preventing an acne breakout if they could gain easier access to your pores.
Avoid getting worked up about it for the time being.
After a laser hair removal session, your skin will be extremely delicate and easily damaged by heat. Avoiding sun exposure is a must. Anything that makes you hotter will make you sweat, and sweat is a breeding ground for bacteria that can cause infections or ingrown hairs. Sweat, oil, and bacteria can more easily enter your pores after a strenuous workout, increasing the likelihood of breakouts.
You should also stay away from saunas, hot tubs, hot showers, and steam baths for the same reason. Mild walking is the best form of exercise if you want to get in shape. For at least two to three days after treatment, you should stay out of saltwater environments like the ocean, lakes, rivers, hot tubs, and chlorinated swimming pools. You wouldn’t want to get bacteria, chemicals, or algae on your skin from swimming in these bodies of water.
Tend to your skin with care.
Avoid picking at, popping, rubbing, or scratching any new acne lesions if you want to keep them from scarring or spreading. It is recommended to exfoliate the treated area with a mild exfoliant or scrub in the days following laser hair removal to avoid ingrown hairs and clogged pores. Put some ice on it if it starts to swell and turn red. If you want to use ice on your skin, wrap it in a clean towel first.
Your dermatologist can recommend soothing creams, ointments, or topical steroids for any skin irritation. Hydrocortisone cream, applied topically in a thin layer, can alleviate itchy bumps, reduce inflammation, and stop further breakouts or edema from occurring. A product containing aloe vera would have the same effect of reducing redness by keeping your skin cool and hydrated.
Itchy Red Bumps After Laser Hair Removal
Even though bumps and itching are inevitable side effects of laser hair removal, there are steps you can take before the procedure to reduce their severity and frequency. Things to remember before your laser hair removal appointment include:
First, avoid direct sunlight.
It is crucial to stay out of the sun both before and after treatment. The laser could cause burns or discoloration on tanned skin because the light is attracted to the pigment. Apply sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of 30 or higher to the treatment area(s).
Second, designate a place for a shave
Shave the areas you intend to have treated with laser hair removal. The hairs that protrude through the skin’s surface may be protected from burns if you do this. For up to six weeks, don’t pluck, wax, or do anything else to remove hair. These alternate approaches could irritate the skin even more by disturbing the hair follicles.
Thirdly, stay away from blood-thinning drugs.
Talk to your doctor ahead of time to find out what medications you should avoid. In this category are drugs like NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) (NSAIDs).
Do not put any cosmetics, deodorant, or moisturizer on the treated area.
In order to get the most out of your laser treatment and experience the fewest possible adverse effects, you should avoid wearing any jewelry, makeup, or other accessories that might irritate the laser’s surface.
