Laser Hair Removal Side Effects

Laser hair removal is a popular alternative to shaving for removing unwanted hair. As with all beauty procedures, though, laser hair removal may cause side effects.

Common side effects

Some common side effects of laser hair removal include temporary redness, itching, swelling and minor pain or tingling. These symptoms should go away within the first few days of hair removal.

Scarring

More serious, though less common, side effects of laser hair removal include skin blistering and burning, which can lead to scarring or too little or too much pigmentation in the skin.

Prevention/Solution

If the patient experiences intense pain during the procedure, she should tell the laser technician so the laser settings can be adjusted to lower levels.

Infection

The skin area that is being treated must be sterilized before the procedure, or minor infection can occur.

Considerations

Laser technicians must take into consideration the patient's skin and hair type and make sure it is compatible with the form of laser treatment being used.

References

• Hair Removal Forum
• Laser Hair Removal
• American Society for Dermatologic Surgery