Laser Hair Removal Side Effects - Hayes, Roby (bridgetownaesthetics.com) (2024)

FAQs

Are there any long term side effects of laser hair removal? ›

There do not appear to be any long-term health risks associated with the procedure. However, some people may experience minor side effects after laser hair removal. People should ask their dermatologist to test how a small patch of skin reacts to the treatment before having it done on a larger area of skin.

Risks of side effects vary with skin type, hair color, treatment plan and adherence to pre-treatment and post-treatment care. The most common side effects of laser hair removal include: Skin irritation. Temporary discomfort, redness and swelling are possible after laser hair removal.

Although this is not always the case, PCOS is often related to it. A hormonal imbalance may result in increased hair regrowth after laser hair removal procedures. Alternatively, laser hair removal may remove existing hair, but excess male hormones will rapidly stimulate regrowth.

The laser targets the hair follicle without impacting the surrounding skin, and it's FDA-approved as safe and effective for all skin tones. Studies show that laser hair removal is extremely effective for the bikini area, only outperformed by treatments on legs, arms, and underarms.

Laser resurfacing can cause treated skin to become darker than it was before treatment (hyperpigmentation) or lighter (hypopigmentation). Permanent changes in skin color are more common in people with dark brown or Black skin.

No one actually knows why this happens with laser patients, but after treatment, the laser can do the opposite of what you're expecting and actually stimulate hair growth. And, if that wasn't enough, the hair can actually come back thicker and darker!

Avoid make-up on the treated area for at least 48 hours. Avoid the application of perfumed products or bleaching creams for 48 hours. Avoid scratching the treatment area if blistering or crusting occurs, as this can cause scarring. Avoid waxing, tweezing and threading for the complete duration of the treatment course.

Beam Related Hazards

Effects can range from mild skin burns to irreversible injury to the skin and eye. The biological damage caused by lasers is produced through thermal, acoustical and photochemical processes. Thermal effects are caused by a rise in temperature following absorption of laser energy.

“The lasers we use penetrate less than one millimeter into the skin, so there's no way they could reach your ovaries. But even if they did—which they never, ever could—they wouldn't do anything, anyway. They work on pigment and have no bearing on fertility.” Therefore, there's nothing to worry about.

Can laser hair removal make you feel unwell? ›

Laser hair removal is safe, but it can occasionally cause side effects, such as pain and discomfort, and red skin that may last for some time. It may also not be suitable for everyone, including pregnant women and people with certain skin types. There's no evidence to suggest that laser hair removal causes skin cancer.

Answer: Hair removal will not damage your thyroid

The laser hair removal will not damage you thyroid. Hair removal targets hair and does not penetrate through the skin. Hypothyroidism is very common and there is no increase in hypothyroidism because of the hair removal.

And you've noticed that when you sweat, smells different. It is the truth. Um, laser hair removal can in fact alter the microflora, which is basically the bacteria on your skin. causing your sweat to smell worse.

Immediately after the procedure the treated area might appear red and swollen. This is a normal response and usually subsides within a few hours. 7-14 days after the procedure the hairs will begin to fall out. Now, this doesn't mean the hair won't ever return.

If treatment is stopped before all of the hair follicles have been destroyed, some may continue to grow. It is important to complete the recommended treatment plan to achieve the best results. Sometimes, the patient sees hairs are thicker and darker after the treatment when they have original light and fair hair.

The procedure also isn't linked to any long-term side effects. Still, discussions about the side effects of laser hair removal abound. Although temporary and minor side effects can occur after the procedure, other effects are rare. Beyond that, any claims about links to your long-term health are unfounded.

If you stop treatments after only two sessions, it's likely that only a portion of hair follicles have been affected. You might notice a temporary reduction or delay in hair growth. But it's most likely that the untreated hair will continue to grow as it normally would.

Regret usually stems from choosing the wrong provider. While laser hair removal itself is rarely regrettable, what can lead to regret is choosing the wrong provider. A cheap, inexperienced clinic may use outdated equipment or incorrect techniques, leading to less effective treatment or even unwanted side-effects.

On the face, laser hair removal isn't typically permanent but may be long-lasting. Some people report seeing no hair return after 10 years or more. Others experience regrowth sooner and rely on annual touchup treatments to keep unwanted hair at bay.