Laser Hair Removal Side Effects
Laser hair removal is quickly becoming a popular form of cosmetic surgery for people who wish to get rid of unsightly hair quickly and permanently. Both men and women can take advantage of this procedure, given that they can afford it. While it is cosmetic in nature, one must never forget that it is still a surgery and, like any other surgery, it can have side effects, both mild and serious. Understanding laser hair removal side effects is important before choosing this option.
Side Effects are…
Most side effects are temporary in nature, more inconvenient than damaging. Whether there is a problem or not depends highly upon the skill of the doctor performing the procedure. As the years go by, these side effects become less serious and less common as improvements to training and technology are made.
Temporary Side Effects
Temporary side effects generally don’t last long and leave no lasting damage on the patient. Most people who have hair removal surgery will experience at least one of these issues. The most common of these consist of:
• Pain – During the surgery and afterwards, pain is common. Topical ointments can often be used to reduce the pain.
• Swelling – The treated area can swell, though topical ointments can help.
• Redness – This can be unsightly if in an exposed area.
• Blistering – This can be painful and unsightly, and especially bad on sensitive areas such as the bikini line.
• Hyperpigmentation – A temporary darkening of the skin in the treated area, it can be very unsightly if in an exposed area, especially the face. Hyperpigmentation is more common in dark-skinned or deeply tanned individuals.
Permanent Side Effects
While permanent side effects are rare, they can often be serious enough to be worse than the hair that was removed in the first place. Permanent side effects consist of:
• Scarring – Permanent damage of the treated area
• Burns – Painful skin damage that may take some time to heal and leave scars behind
• Permanent Changes of Skin Pigmentation – By far the worst consequence, a patient may find that their skin has been permanently lightened in certain treated areas
As with hyperpigmentation, this is more common in darker-skinned people.
Dealing With Side Effects – Before and After
A patient should be preventative in order to ensure the least chance of a serious side effect. Letting the doctor know of any preexisting conditions is a priority, as these may have an effect on the chances of experiencing a problem. Avoiding prolonged exposure to the sun and not using artificial tanning before the surgery will help to reduce chances of skin discoloration. Darker-skinned people may want to avoid laser surgery altogether and seek other alternatives, as they are at higher risk. Afterwards, making sure to use the creams, lotions, and other medications that a doctor advises is essential to quick recovery.
Doing proper research on the doctor being used will show whether that doctor has had previous problems or not. Since most serious problems are due to an unskilled operator, this is important. In addition, considering an alternative to laser hair removal may be the best option, saving money and potential grief.