Laser hair removal can be a great way to get rid of unwanted hair, but it can also be dangerous in inexperienced hands. Burns, permanent changes in skin color, and scarring may occur, so it's important to understand the risks before undergoing the procedure. So can laser hair removal cause permanent scarring? In general, scarring is considered to be a rarer side effect of laser hair removal. It's possible, but it doesn't happen often; in some cases, another side effect, such as burns, causes scarring.
Skin damage caused by laser hair removal usually occurs at the hands of unqualified professionals. Rarely, laser hair removal can cause blisters, crusting, scarring, or other changes in skin texture. Other rare side effects include greying of treated hair or excessive hair growth around treated areas, especially on darker skin. Laser hair removal is only effective for some people.
Even so, the type of laser must be carefully chosen to suit the color and type of skin. An incorrect type of laser can lead to the formation of scar tissue and the appearance of dark spots on the skin in some people. Black-skinned people are particularly vulnerable to these effects. Millions of men and women around the world have undergone laser hair removal treatments and have discovered that it is a safe medical procedure, if accompanied by any tolerable discomfort. Laser hair removal is especially useful when hair needs to be removed from large areas of the body and when constant waxing can be too painful.
If you decide to use a home laser hair removal device, follow the instructions that come with the device to help reduce the risk of injury, especially eye injury. Patients who have undergone radiation may also be at greater risk of scarring after laser peeling due to wound healing problems due to microvasculature deterioration. After laser hair removal and between scheduled treatments, avoid sunlight and don't use a tanning bed for six weeks or as directed by your doctor. The most recent laser tools used in hair removal have a suction mechanism that helps remove hair so that the laser beam can penetrate deeper into the follicle with an improved effect. Before laser hair removal, schedule a consultation with your doctor to determine if this is an appropriate treatment option for you. Although a beautician can perform laser hair removal, it's safer to choose a center where the treatment is supervised by a medical professional who will also know how to treat you in case of burns or accidental overtreatment. A number of laser hair removal treatments are needed for initial hair removal, and maintenance treatments may also be necessary.
The laser hair removal technique is gentle, with minimal discomfort, so it can be used on large areas. People who are interested in undergoing laser hair removal treatment should always seek a fully qualified professional to perform the procedure. What you are experiencing now after the laser hair removal session will usually be completely resolved. The risk of damaging the skin is greater when there is little contrast between hair and skin color, but advances in laser technology have made laser hair removal an option for people with darker skin. Repeated treatments are often necessary because hair growth and loss occur naturally in one cycle, and laser treatment works best on hair follicles in the regrowth phase. If you're interested in laser hair removal, choose a doctor who is certified in a specialty such as dermatology or cosmetic surgery and who has experience in laser hair removal for your skin type.
Ironically, in many cases, laser peeling may be the best treatment for a scar even though the cause was a laser treatment itself.
