Examples Of Laser Hair Removal Risks, And How To Deal With Them

Laser hair removal is generally safe, but just like other medical procedures, it has its risks. Fortunately, the risks are rare as long as your sessions are handled by knowledgeable person. Here are examples of possible side effects, and what you can do to prevent them:

Burns

Laser hair removal works because your hair follicles absorb the laser energy and get destroyed. However, if your skin (instead of the hair follicles) absorbs the laser, then you may experience burns. The good news is that such occurrences are rare with professional laser hair treatment. If it does occur, then your doctor will just dress the burns and let them heal.

However, if you are getting the treatment from a non-professional, then you have a higher risk of burns. This is because the person administering the treatment may not know how to select the best laser for your skin tight or even prepare you for a session.

Pigmentation/Tone Change

Apart from burns, you may also experience skin pigmentation changes after a laser hair removal session. This risk is merely cosmetic (though it can be very noticeable) because it is neither very painful nor dangerous to your health. Skin tone change can occur in two ways:

• Hyperpigmentation (skin tone darkening) – the laser triggers melanin production, which darkens your skin just as you would after a tanning session.
• Hypopigmentation (skin tone lightening) – the laser inhibits melanin production.

According to Mayo Clinic, one of the causes of pigmentation change is incorrect laser setting. You are more likely to experience tone change if you have a darker skin. Your practitioner will choose a high-precision laser device to prevent such complications.

 Scarring

In rare cases, a laser hair removal treatment may also leave your skin scarred. Most people consider this to be the worst side effect of laser hair treatment. Scarring can occur due to:

• Unsuitable treatment
• Practitioners' lack of skill or experience
• Unsuitable skin type
• Post-treatment infection

Post-treatment infection can occur because laser hair removal has some inherent superficial skin irritation that leaves your skin vulnerable to infections. It is essential to maintain a high standard of hygiene after each treatment session.

As you can see from the above discussions, most of the risks are higher for candidates whose treatments are performed by unskilled or inexperienced practitioners. In general, you have little to worry about if you choose a practitioner who has been certified by your state to perform the procedure. To learn more, contact a company such as Defy Nature LLC.