Laser Hair Removal Side Effects

Laser hair removal treatment is growing enormously in popularity as of late. There are side effects to this treatment, however. And you just don't see those reported in the media as often as you do the success stories. The success stories are way more effective as advertisements, so it's no surprise that all of the failures are hidden from mainstream view.

It is very tempting to get rid of your body hair for good. All you need is a couple of laser treatments and the hairs will be gone permanently. No more shaving, waxing, tweezing or any other stuff. Sounds great, doesn't it? But is it really that great?

For many people, the results are indeed satisfying. Years and years of experience and improving technology have increased the success rates, lowered the prices and decreased the risks.

But still, sometimes things go wrong. You can actually get hurt during a laser treatment surgery. A small minority of people have the misfortune to have this happen to them.

I have compiled a list of the most common things that can go wrong during this procedure, after which you can develop laser hair removal side effects.

1. Eye Injury

The laser that is used in laser hair removal surgery is very dangerous to the human eye. I can do some serious damage if you are not wearing protective eyegear that will shield you from the laser's devastating effects. Both the performing doctor and the patient must wear this protective eyegear.

2. Skin Blistering

Since laser hair removal works by heating up follicles underneath the skin until they burn to a crisp, there is the chance of your skin developing blisters. Because of improved technology, the risk of blistering has come down significantly. During the treatment, cooling tips or cooling gels may be used to decrease the temperature of your skin.

3. Skin Reddening

If you have a sensitive skin that is irritable, you might develop reddening of the skin. This is only a very small side effect that you don't see very often. Again, the chances of this happening can be decreased by cooling the skin during treatment.

4. Hypo Pigmentation

Your skin might turn lighter after your surgery. Of all laser hair removal side effects, this one is a very mild one and also only temporary. On some occasion, the skin stays lighter permanently.

5. Wound Infection

This is a very rare side effect. The laser, when wielded unprofessionally, can do damage to a lot of surrounding skin and the skin surface. It can cause real wounds and all those tiny little wounds are at risk of getting infected. If this happens to you, you will need antibiotic medication.

6. Laser Scarring

If the laser does indeed cause you to have wounds which may or may not become infected, then you are also at risk of developping scarring. It happened more often when laser hair removal technology was still new. But there is still some risk.

7. Tattoo Darkening

If you have tattoos close to the area of your body that you want to have treated, you must keep in mind that your tattoos may become darker. The laser works best on light skin. Darker skin with many colors in it will make the treatment harder and less successful.

8. Skin Crusting

When a certain area of the body is treated with a laser multiple times, you are at risk of developing crusting. This side effect can cause you to get even more trouble with your skin. If this happens to you, it is important that you get some medical care to prevent this problem from getting out of hand.

9 Skin Darkening

Sometimes, after a laser treatment, you will develop hyper pigmentation. The skin becomes darker because there is a sudden increase in pigment deposition. People who already have dark skin to begin with, are at a higher risk of developing this.