Here are some of your frequently asked questions that relate to the complications of laser treatments for both men and women:
Most patients do not have any significant side effects from lasers. It is common for patients to experience slight pink or red skin in the treated area. However, this colour will most likely fade within a few minutes to a few hours, and in rare cases, a few days. When cold packs are used, the skin will return to normal much more quickly.
Darker skinned patients are more prone to more serious side effects. Some have experienced skin pigment changes where patches of skin either lighten or darken. These changes can last for months but are very rarely permanent. Other side effects for dark skinned users in particular include blisters, burns, scabs on ingrown hairs, but again these are rare.
DOES IT HURT
Darker skinned patients are more prone to more serious side effects. Some have experienced skin pigment changes where patches of skin either lighten or darken. These changes can last for months but are very rarely permanent. Other side effects for dark skinned users in particular include blisters, burns, scabs on ingrown hairs, but again these are rare.
DOES IT HURT
The light that lasers produce is absorbed by the melanin in the skin and hair. This light energy is then converted to heat which is the element that disables the hair follicle from growing any more hairs. Because the skin and hair heats up, there is some sensation when performing laser hair removal. Certain areas of the body tend to hurt more than others during the treatment. Also, patients with very thick, dark hairs may experience more discomfort than those with thin hair. This is because thicker, darker hairs will absorb more of the laser's light causing more heat to be generated during the treatment. Some patients reported that it was a little like having a rubber band snapped against their skin.
The hair becomes thinner and less dense after each subsequent treatment. Therefore, the most discomfort a patient usually experiences is during the first treatment session. The discomfort associated with treatments varies considerably between individuals, and is dependent on the patient's skin type, the type of laser being used, the thickness and density of the hair, the area of the body being treated, and the patient's ability to tolerate or feel pain.
Discomfort is one of the many factors the specialist administering the treatment will use to determine the appropriate type and setting for the laser. Patients should not apply numbing cream themselves to large areas of the body prior to laser treatment. Although prescription numbing creams are very safe, covering large areas of the body can result in the numbing medications being absorbed into the bloodstream in significant amounts. A good specialist will apply the numbing cream while the patient is being treated (if it is required), so as to minimise the risk of excessive absorption into the bloodstream. Generally, most patients can cope with the amount of discomfort caused by treatments.
The hair becomes thinner and less dense after each subsequent treatment. Therefore, the most discomfort a patient usually experiences is during the first treatment session. The discomfort associated with treatments varies considerably between individuals, and is dependent on the patient's skin type, the type of laser being used, the thickness and density of the hair, the area of the body being treated, and the patient's ability to tolerate or feel pain.
Discomfort is one of the many factors the specialist administering the treatment will use to determine the appropriate type and setting for the laser. Patients should not apply numbing cream themselves to large areas of the body prior to laser treatment. Although prescription numbing creams are very safe, covering large areas of the body can result in the numbing medications being absorbed into the bloodstream in significant amounts. A good specialist will apply the numbing cream while the patient is being treated (if it is required), so as to minimise the risk of excessive absorption into the bloodstream. Generally, most patients can cope with the amount of discomfort caused by treatments.
There is always a risk that any hair laser procedure can cause scarring. This is included as a risk on most consent forms that the patient will need to sign prior to treatment. However, the risk of this side effect is very small and is dependent upon many things including:
- The experience, skill, knowledge and training of the specialist laser operator
- The patients ability to heal
- The amount of melanin in the patient's skin (greater risk for darker skin types)
- The type of laser used
Many people experience skin pigmentation changes, a temporary side effect of laser hair removal, following a treatment. However, this usually dissipates in a period of weeks to months.
If you have had a hair removal disaster or accident then find out what you can do to set things right.
If you have had a hair removal disaster or accident then find out what you can do to set things right.
