Laser Hair Removal Side Effects: The Good and the Bad

Laser hair removal is a common procedure that is being used more and more by both men and women. However, it is still a medical procedure and should be considered carefully before embarking on any treatment.

Laser hair removal side effects are usually mild in nature and temporary in duration. Some serious side effects could occur but they are rare occurrences. Let’s take a look at some of the more common ones you can expect.

Common Lase Hair Removal Side Effects:

Pain is probably the most talked about side effect when removing unwanted hair with lasers. Many describe the ‘zap’ from the laser to be similar to a rubber band snapping against your skin. While this may sound harmless, I’ve had rubber band snaps (as a kid) that were very painful!

Those with more sensitive skin can use a topical anesthetic to relieve any pain during the procedure. Fortunately, any pain is very short lived and dissipates quickly for most patients.

There may also be some tenderness in the areas affected after the treatment is completed. Pain relievers such as Tylenol, topical anesthetics or aloe vera creams are all effective in treating any discomfort.

Swelling is another side effect that causes discomfort to some people. It can be treated similar to any pain as described above. If the swelling persists be sure to talk to your practitioner to insure nothing more serious is occurring. Also, this will help them adjust the procedure schedule, laser strength, etc. to better match your particular needs.

Redness around the affected area is very common and probably the least serious side effect. This usually clears up by itself after a few hours but aloe vera cream can also be used.

Rare or Serious Side Effects:

Blistering of the skin is probably the most serious laser hair removal side effect. It can be very painful and lead to scaring if not properly treated. It usually occurs when the laser operator uses the wrong setting on the laser. You should talk to your practitioner immediately if any blistering occurs to understand how to prevent it in future treatments.

If your blistering is particularly bad or painful, do not hesitate to see a skin specialist to get the right treatment. Many laser clinics are not staffed with medical doctors and are not properly equipped to handle serious complications.

Hyperpigmentation is the temporary darkening of the skin around the treated area. This will usually disappear in a day or two and not cause much discomfort as long as it’s not in a more visible area.

Burns are possible using lasers for hair removal. This is a condition similar to blistering where the laser operator is using a setting that is too strong. If you feel burning you should stop the procedure immediately to prevent any serious damage and have a long talk with your practitioner. Burning should never happen!

Most laser hair removal side effects occur infrequently and last only 1 or 2 days. The widespread use of lasers for hair removal and competition between clinics has served to reduce most of the serious risk associated with operator training.

Any minor discomfort will vary with the individual as in any other medical procedure. If you’ve done your homework and picked a good, reputable clinic with trained professionals, your laser hair removal experience should be a good one.