Side effects of laser hair removal are infrequent, but prospective clients should be aware of them. Following is a brief overview about various Laser Hair Removal Risks, their prevention and treatment.

Scarring
Cosmetic scarring has been the most feared laser hair removal consequence but thanks to the new technology of Q switched and pulsed lasers, the risk of scarring is now minimal.

Post Operative Crusting
10% of clients treated for laser hair reduction with long-pulsed ruby and alexandrite lasers may develop crusting. This is generally due to repeatedly over treating an area of the body with laser. For these clients, appropriate post procedural care is very much recommended in order to avoid further problems.

Post-Laser Infections
Wound infection is infrequent after laser treatment. In the rare circumstances that any wounds are to be seen on the surface of the skin after laser hair reduction, infection can be prevented with antibiotic and anti viral agents.

Effect on Tattoos
If you have tattoos in the area of the body being treated, you should be aware that darkening sometimes occurs and discuss this with your medical specialist before undergoing laser treatment.

Darkening of the Skin
Regardless of the type of laser employed, there may be hyper pigmentation of skin after applying lasers. In this condition the skin is darkened due to increased pigment deposition. Usually tanned skin is more likely to develop this. The good news is that it can be easily treated with the use of bleaching agents and is only temporary.

Hypo Pigmentation
Lightening of the surface of the skin, or hypo pigmentation, can occur, particularly in tanned skin types and where there are multiple exposures to laser hair therapy. It normally is only temporary; permanent hypo pigmentation is almost unknown. This problem is mostly experienced with use of alexandrite, Q-switched ruby and Nd:YAG lasers.

Reddening of the Skin
The surface of the skin may be temporarily reddened after significant laser exposure. It is one of the minor laser therapy treatment. Effective cooling and the use of appropriate exposure time during the treatment minimizes this problem.

Blistering of the Surface of the Skin
With the introduction of new and efficient cooling equipment, blistering has been almost eliminated as a laser hair removal consequence. Tissue cooling can be carried out through a contact chill tip or freezing spray to safeguard the surface of the skin. These measures serve to safeguard the skin from excessive thermal abuse.

The Risk of Eye Injury
Laser eye safety is critically important during any treatment involving lasers. To safeguard yourself from any damage to your eyes, wavelength-specific laser safety eye protection must be used by both operators and clients.

How Concerned Should You Be?
Removal of hair by laser is an critically safe treatment; the problem we have described are very infrequent. To keep yourself as risk-free as possible, always use a reputable laser clinic with a medical specialist you can trust, and you will probably encounter no Laser Hair Reduction at all!

Ingrid Preube
laser hair removal