How to Reduce the Risks of Permanent Laser Hair Removal Side Effects

An unfortunate byproduct of any medical treatment is the risk of side effects. With laser hair removal, patients run the risk of permanent side effects which can be both painful and embarrassing. Thankfully, there are things you can do to reduce the chances of having lasting side effects.

Before discussing how to prevent permanent side effects, it's best to explain what exactly happens when laser hair removal doesn't work properly. Potential permanent side effects include scars (from burns and blisters) and skin discoloration. These reactions sometimes go away or fade over time, but by and large they're very long lasting.

There are two main reasons permanent side effects occur in laser hair removal patients. Other factors may also cause these issues, however, for the most part any unwanted reactions are due to one of two things.

The first is misuse of laser hair removal equipment. Either patients using machines at home hurt themselves by applying the treatment at levels much higher than they should, or inexperienced technicians make mistakes due to lack of practice. These errors usually result in burns and blisters on the skin, which eventually become lasting scars.

You can prevent scars by making sure the person who performs your laser hair removal procedures understands the proper way to apply the treatment and follows the instructions carefully.

The second cause is less than ideal skin characteristics for laser hair removal. Patients who lack a strong contrast between skin tone and hair color are more likely to experience permanent side effects. This usually results in skin discoloration because the laser cannot distinguish between the hair follicles and the skin. Contact with the laser can remove pigmentation in the skin which causes it to change color.

This reaction can be avoided by having your skin characteristics checked by a physician prior to receiving treatments. Your doctor will give you an expert opinion on how at-risk you are for skin dicoloration. Lighter skin with dark, coarse hair is ideal. Anything other than that is susceptible to varying degrees of skin discoloration.

Knowing the risks prior to treatment is very important because it gives you the opportunity to limit the effects. If your situation  puts you at risk for permanent side effects, you should take caution and procede with treatments very carefully.

To learn more about laser hair removal side effects and other hair removal methods such as hair electrolysis be sure to visit the Hair Electrolysis Guide.