What are the post-treatment instructions?
It is common to experience redness or bumps after the treatment. A cold compress often helps in this scenario. Apart from this, general precautions to take after laser hair removal treatment include:
. Minimal use of makeup and maximum use of moisturizer
. Use sun block of SPF 25 or more for a couple of weeks after the treatment
. If needed, the only other acceptable hair removal method during the treatment regimen is shaving
. Be aware that hair will continue to shed up to three weeks after the treatment. Help the hairs out by using a loofah or washcloth.
Make sure to ask your doctor for detailed post-treatment instructions.
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In most cases there are no side effects associated with the procedure.
However, pigmentary change of the skin treated can occur, including either dark or light areas. Pigmentary changes may persist for months, but are almost always temporary. They are very rare in patients with fair skin, who are untanned. Blisters and burns are rare, but occasionally occur, particularly in patients with dark skin.
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How does skin color affect the results?
Light skin makes laser hair removal easier to perform. Fewer treatments are required, and better, faster results are obtained. People with darker skin can be treated, but results are slower, more sessions are required, and greater expertise is required on the part of the laser center. Laser hair removal must be individualized for each patient.
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Does hair color have any impact?
Dark hair absorbs more laser energy and is, therefore, much easier to treat. Coarse dark hair responds the best to laser treatment. Light hair is more difficult to treat, while blonde or red hair being extremely difficult to treat. Multiple treatment sessions are required, and results are variable. Blonde or red hair usually contains pheomelanin, which absorbs laser energy less avidly than the eumelanin pigment which is present in black or brown hair.
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What are the effects of tanning on laser hair removal results?
Having a tan increases your risk of side effects such as blistering and discoloration. Due to the fact that on a tanned skin, the laser tends to aim at the surrounding skin rather than the hair, scarring of the skin may also occur.
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Does diet have an impact on the treatment?
Diet is generally unrelated to laser hair removal treatment, except for Beta-carotene, which interferes with the treatment. Beta-carotene, which is normally found in carrots, vitamin A supplements, squash, and other vegetables, is deposited in the skin, producing a subtle orange or yellow color in the skin. This pigment absorbs laser energy, preventing it from reaching the hair follicle, and increasing the absorption of laser energy in the skin. Beta-carotene persists for months after ingestion. Patients interested in the best results from laser hair removal will benefit from discontinuation of the use of all forms of beta-carotene.
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How to assess a laser hair removal facility?
Before opting for a treatment, it is always a good idea to research the qualifications of the Medical Director of the facility. Is he or she Board Certified in Dermatology? Is there more than one Board Certified Doctor on the staff? Are all personnel performing the procedure licensed doctors or Registered Nurses? Is the facility affiliated with an academic medical center? Is the atmosphere professional? Since this is a medical procedure, it should be selected with the same care you give while selecting a doctor or a surgeon. See our Choosing a doctor section
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Questions to ask your doctor before the procedure?
Please make sure that your doctor (preferably a Board Certified Dermatologist) is:
- Experienced in using whatever system you or your doctor selects to treat your unwanted hair.
- Find out for how long and how many patients your doctor has treated with that particular machine.
- Ask to see "before and after" photographs of the doctor's own results. Make sure the results are at least six months after the last treatment and that the conditions of the "before and after" photographs are similar.
- Make sure that your doctor has treated patients with your skin type and problem.
- Discuss all possible side effects.
See our Choosing a doctor section for more detailed information
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