Can laser hair removal cause ingrown hairs? | Skin Perfection (2024)

FAQs

Can laser hair removal cause ingrown hairs? | Skin Perfection? ›

No laser hair removal will not cause you ingrown hairs, quite the opposite. Ingrowing hair is most common when you shave, wax or use other methods to remove hair. Removing hair using the wrong technique may result in the new hair growing in its place sideways or curl back down.

Ingrown hairs are a common problem when shaving or waxing; they normally don't develop after undergoing laser hair removal procedures, but in some cases, they can appear. This post will explain why this happens and how you can minimize your chance of experiencing it after your treatment.

Light exfoliation methods are best to free any ingrown hairs and hydrating the skin afterwards is a must.

Causes of Acne After Laser Hair Removal

Folliculitis: Hair follicle inflammation or infection can result in foliculitis, a common skin condition. The heat produced by the laser during the hair removal process may cause it to start. Heat-related irritation and inflammation can result in acne-like red bumps and pustules.

Like any medical procedure, laser hair removal has its risks and benefits. The most common side effect is skin irritation, which can include redness, swelling, and bumps. These side effects are usually temporary and can be managed with over-the-counter creams and ointments.

Regret usually stems from choosing the wrong provider. While laser hair removal itself is rarely regrettable, what can lead to regret is choosing the wrong provider. A cheap, inexperienced clinic may use outdated equipment or incorrect techniques, leading to less effective treatment or even unwanted side-effects.

Yes, you read that right. It doesn't happen with everyone, but it does happen — even if you're the perfect candidate for laser hair removal. So, what causes this? It's called paradoxical hypertrichosis — and even the name sounds scary.

Regular Shaving – Shaving is a safe and efficient method to remove dead hair. It doesn't disturb the hair follicles treated by the laser, making it a suitable option between sessions. Avoid Sun Exposure – Protect the treated area from direct sun exposure.

If you tweeze out hairs, you are disrupting its growth phase, canceling out the treatment you just received to remove it. It can also cause future treatments to be less effective. It is recommended to leave the treated area alone. A few weeks after treatment, the dead hairs will shed and fall out naturally.

Post-Treatment Reaction

As the laser makes contact with your skin, the heat from the light will kill hair follicles. This heat will cause small red bumps to develop on your skin's surface. This is a completely normal reaction, but it can be alarming to some people.

Why do I get pimples after laser hair removal? ›

During laser hair removal, heat from the laser beam opens the pores of the skin, making the skin more susceptible to skin infections. The presence of acne increases and on the surface of the skin we will see pimples after laser hair removal. In some cases, these bumps are due to inflammatory reactions of the skin.

Erythema: Redness, inflammation or a histamine reaction is normal, the area being treated will be red and bumpy after a treatment and should settle after 2 – 3 days. Any sort of trauma to the skin may react this way.

After the laser hair removal session, the hair bulb will start to come out over a 7-30-day period. This can cause redness and bumps like ingrown hairs, as your body will push the hair out of the follicle. Sometimes the hair is trapped under the skin, which is what causes the redness or bumps.

Those bumps are frequently due to the skin glands being over stimulated by the laser which causes localized irritation and inflammation. The bumps look like milia or white heads. the bumps usually resolve themselves in a few days.

If you treat the area in every 2 weeks, you are simply treating too soon and essentially just shooting heat against the skin, but not destroying anything. So you should definitely not to laser in every 2 weeks. Not mention undergoing laser too frequently can lead to skin irritation, burns, or other complications.

You may experience some redness, small bumps, irritation, and temporary discomfort directly after a treatment, but only on the area that was lasered. This is temporary and should go away on its own within a few hours to a couple days.

When using IPL, you'll need to shave less and less as your treatments go on. As the hair follicles will be empty, you'll notice fewer ingrown hairs and less stubble 'shadow'. IPL treatment helps to smooth out the texture of your skin, whereas waxing or threading can cause inflammation.

During laser hair removal, a laser emits a light that is absorbed by the pigment (melanin) in the hair. The light energy is converted to heat, which damages the tube-shaped sacs within the skin (hair follicles) that produce hairs. This damage inhibits or delays future hair growth.