Side Effects Of Laser Hair Removal
A large proportion of clinical trials and research materials about reduction of hair with laser do not properly address the issues of side effects of laser hair removal. If you are considering this treatment, you should be familiar with the following hypothetical side effects.
Laser Scarring
Cosmetic scarring has been the most feared side effect of laser hair removal but thanks to the new technology of Q switched and pulsed lasers, the likelihood of scarring is now minimal.
Reddening
The surface of the skin may be temporarily reddened after repeated laser exposure. It is one of the minor side effects of laser hair removal. Proper cooling and the use of appropriate exposure time during the treatment minimizes this complication.
Blistering of the Skin
With the development of new and efficient cooling equipment, blistering has been almost eliminated as a laser hair removal side effect. Tissue cooling can be performed through a contact chill tip or cryogen spray to protect the surface of the skin. These measures serve to protect the skin from excessive thermal abuse.
Injury to Eye
Laser eye safety is extremely important during any treatment involving lasers. To avoid any damage to your eyes, wavelength-specific laser safety eye protection must be donned by both operators and clients.
Darkening of Tattoos
If the client has tattoos in the area of the body being treated, you must be aware that darkening may occur and discuss this with your medical specialist before undergoing laser therapy.
Crusting
10% of clients treated for reduction of hair with laser with long-pulsed ruby and alexandrite lasers may experience crusting. This is often due to repeatedly over treating an area of the body with laser. When this occurs, appropriate post treatment care is highly recommended in order to avoid further complications.
Wound Infection
Wound infection is rare after laser therapy. In the rare circumstances that any wounds are to be seen on the surface of the skin after reduction of hair with laser, infection can be prevented with antibiotic and anti viral materials.
Hyper Pigmentation
Whatever the type of laser that is used, there may be hyper pigmentation of skin after applying lasers. In this side effect the skin becomes darker due to increased pigment deposition. Usually tanned skin has a greater chance to experience this. On the plus side is that it can be easily treated with the use of bleaching materials and fades quickly.
Skin Lightening
Lightening of the surface of the skin, or hypo pigmentation, can happen, especially in tanned skin types and where there are multiple exposures to laser therapy. It normally fades quickly; permanent hypo pigmentation is almost unknown. This complication is mostly experienced with use of alexandrite, Q-switched ruby and Nd:YAG lasers.
How Concerned Should You Be?
reduction of hair with laser is an extremely safe treatment; the complication we have described are very rare. To keep yourself as safe as possible, always use a reputable laser clinic with a medical specialist you can trust, and you are likely to encounter no side effects of laser hair removal at all!
Ingrid Preube
reduction of hair with laser
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