Follicular edema, or hair follicle swelling, is a perfectly natural result of every laser hair removal session. In 90% of patients, it has gone in 15 minutes. In rare cases, it can last for several days and cause itching. In these cases, treatment with Aloe Vera or 1% hydrocortisone lotion is advised.
Different people show different reactions to laser hair removal, depending on the skin and hair types. One of the reasons is the interaction of the laser beam and the Follicular Edema. Follicular Edema is an inflammation of the hair follicle which could cause the skin to be swollen, itchy, and blemished. It is a temporary reaction and it would last from 30 minutes to a couple of hours.
Hair follicle swelling known as Follicular edema is the natural result of the laser hair removal treatment. In most cases, this reaction lasts not more than 30 minutes. In rare cases, it can last for a few days and cause itching. In these cases, applying Aloe Vera or 1% hydrocortisone lotion on the treatment area is advised.
During the laser hair removal treatment, the laser concentrates a large amount of heat on each hair follicle and depending on the skin type and thickness of hair, this energy causes changes to the follicle which can make it swell and red. In this case and also to prevent Follicular Edema, you shouldn’t schedule your laser hair removal appointment before your daily workout. Anything that causes you to heat up or perspire should be avoided for a day or two after your treatment. You should also stay away from hot showers, hot baths, and hot tubs for at least 24 hours after each treatment.
This article also covers how to treat folliculitis that develops after laser hair removal and how to treat acne that results from it.
Hard Lump After Laser Hair Removal
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!)
Red Bumps 2 Weeks After Laser Hair Removal
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 be fooled by ‘cheap deals’ and ‘back door’ offices for 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 gential 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.
White Bumps After Laser Hair Removal
You’re showering up and…wait…is there a lump in your armpit? It’s natural to be worried—we’ve been taught that lumps and bumps aren’t normal—but before you go down the Google rabbit hole, know this: It’s probably no big deal. Most of the reasons for a lump in the armpit are pretty innocuous.
It’s a cyst
If you regularly shave your underarms, the irritation to this tender skin and hair follicles can lead to a cyst or abscess. If you have a cyst, the lump in your armpit may be painful. If that’s the case, see your doc who can recommend a number of treatments, says the Mayo Clinic, including injections to reduce swelling, drainage, or even surgical cyst removal. Learn more about cysts, boils, ingrown hairs, and other skin mysteries.
It’s a lipoma
First, remember that a lipoma—a benign fatty growth—is not lymphoma, a type of cancer. (That should ease your fears.) To know if it’s a lipoma that you have, give it a touch. According to the Cleveland Clinic, it’s like a “rubbery bulge that feels like it can move.” Lipomas are slow-growing and affect 1 in 1,000 people, particularly those in middle-age. A lipoma may not have to be treated at all unless the lump in your armpit truly bothers you, in which case, your doctor can remove it.
It’s an infection
You’ve got lymph nodes throughout your body, and these handy immune system sentinels can filter out viruses and bacteria. When you’re saddled with an illness, they can swell—and there happen to be lymph nodes in your armpits. You may find that the lump in your armpit is tender and the size of a pea or bean, says the Mayo Clinic. However, the underlying cause can be any number of problems, from a run-of-the-mill cold to more severe problems, like HIV, mono, lupus, or rheumatoid arthritis.
It’s an inflamed sweat gland
Everyone knows about sweaty pits. When sweat-producing glands or hair follicles get clogged, bacteria can sweep in and produce a cyst that later bursts, infecting even more follicles. If the cycle repeats, it can develop into a chronic skin condition called hidradenitis—this hits up to three percent of people in the United States, explains Hopkins Medicine. This network of cysts may be itchy, painful, and even impact your quality of life. Although there’s no cure for hidradenitis, your doctor can prescribe medication or other therapies like laser hair removal to improve your comfort.
It’s a breast infection
If you’re currently breastfeeding, you’ve no doubt heard the horror stories about mastitis, an inflammation of breast tissue. You may feel swelling, pain, and lumps in your breast, but the infection can also enlarge the lymph nodes in your armpit, notes the U.S. National Library of Medicine. Women often commonly feel as if they have the flu. (Note: if you are not breastfeeding but think you have this type of infection, see your doctor. She will want to rule out other, serious causes, including breast cancer.)
It’s cat scratch disease
Weirdly, cat scratch fever is a real thing. This funny-sounding condition is one of the possible culprits behind an armpit lump, according to MedlinePlus. About half of cats carry a bacterium called Bartonella henselae, which they can spread via a scratch. Once the bacteria enters your skin, you can develop an infection that causes the lymph nodes in your underarm to swell. The treatment? Wait it out, or if it persists, antibiotics.
When you should call your doctor
There’s no reason why you should suffer with a lump in your armpit, especially if you’re feeling pain. And although your armpit lump is most likely a treatable skin issue like a cyst, occasionally it can be an indication of cancer—such as breast cancer, which can spread to lymph nodes in the armpit. A lump in the armpit is also one of the most common signs of Hodgkin lymphoma, a type of cancer that originates in white blood cells, according to the American Cancer Society; the other lymph nodes that may swell include the ones in the neck or groin. If you’re concerned for any reason or symptoms are getting worse or not going away, make an appointment with your doctor—especially if you notice any of these strange symptoms that can signal serious disease.
How To Treat Acne Caused By Laser Hair Removal
Be kind to your skin
If you see scars, burns, blisters or pimples on your excess hair in the coming days, it is best not to manipulate them to prevent other parts of the skin from becoming infected.
Do not use inappropriate cosmetics
If you decide to use cleansers or cosmetics for your skin, try to use substances that do not irritate your skin and must be labeled as “noncomedogeni” on the product label.
Acne after laser hair removal
Inflammation, skin irritation and itching
Itchy skin (and scratching) is one of the causes of skin irritation, which in addition to redness and inflammation can lead to small infections that cause pimples after laser hair removal on the surface of the skin. In these cases, use cooling creams, ice (of course, do not put ice directly on your skin), creams containing aloe vera extract or over-the-counter creams containing creoticosteroids for your skin.
Contraindications to laser hair removal
The so-called “laser hair removal” can cause pimples on the surface of the skin, so it is best to consult your doctor about your medications and conditions before the first session.
Treatment of diseases and underlying problems
Another factor that affects the increase in pimples is hormonal problems. Of course, there are articles that rule out the relationship between polycystic ovary syndrome and the increase in the number of pimples after laser hair removal, but in general, hormonal problems. As mentioned above (polycystic ovary syndrome) is associated with an increase in acne, and it is recommended that you first try to treat underlying problems with hormonal drugs, then think about treatment measures to reduce post-laser pimples.
How To Treat Folliculitis After Laser Hair Removal
Folliculitis is a common condition where hair follicles become inflamed, often due to infection or irritation. Laser hair removal, a popular method of getting rid of unwanted hair, can sometimes trigger folliculitis in certain individuals. Those with a history of irritant folliculitis from shaving or pili multigemini hairs may be particularly prone to developing this condition after laser hair removal.
In such cases, it may be beneficial to consider pretreatment with topical steroids and oral doxycycline. Topical steroids can help reduce inflammation in the hair follicles, while oral doxycycline, an antibiotic, can target any bacterial infection that may be present. By addressing both inflammation and infection, this combination treatment approach may help prevent or reduce the risk of developing folliculitis after laser hair removal in susceptible individuals.
Pretreatment with topical steroids and oral doxycycline is especially important for individuals with numerous pili multigemini hairs. Pili multigemini is a condition where multiple hairs emerge from a single hair follicle, increasing the risk of inflammation and infection. By addressing potential inflammation and infection before undergoing laser hair removal, individuals with pili multigemini hairs may be able to minimize the risk of developing folliculitis post-procedure.
Additionally, individuals with a history of irritant folliculitis secondary to shaving may also benefit from pretreatment with topical steroids and oral doxycycline before laser hair removal. Shaving can irritate the skin and hair follicles, making individuals more susceptible to developing folliculitis after laser treatment. By pretreating with a combination of steroids and antibiotics, the risk of post-laser hair removal folliculitis may be reduced.
Conclusion
Finally, people who are likely to get folliculitis after laser hair removal, like those with a lot of pili multigemini hairs or a history of irritant folliculitis from cutting, might want to think about using local steroids and oral doxycycline before the procedure. If you take care of redness and infection before the process, you can lower your risk of getting folliculitis afterward. This will make your laser hair removal experience better.
