About laser hair removal

Laser hair removal is a procedure that uses lasers to cause damage to hair follicles. This disrupts hair growth and can reduce hair growth and cause thinner hairs and slower hair growth. It is not a permanent method of hair removal and will require multiple sessions to achieve an improvement. Repeat treatments will generally be required in the future. It works best for patients with dark hair and is not effective for white, grey, blond or red hair. You should shave the area fully before attending for treatment.

Alternative treatments include doing nothing, shaving, cream treatments such as eflornithine and electrolysis.

Contraindications

Certain conditions significantly increase the risks of treatment. It is important to inform Dr Lynch if any of the following apply:-

• Tanning / sun exposure: Tanning increases the risks of laser treatment. Inform Dr Lynch if you have been in the sun, have had a tan, or a sunburn, within the last 4 weeks. You should not have laser hair removal if you have a tan.
• Tattoos or permanent makeup e.g. eyebrows, lip liner: These are likely to be damaged by the laser and this can result in inflammation, blistering scarring and change in color which can be unsightly. It is essential that you inform Dr Lynch if you have tattoos or semi-permanent makeup e.g. lip liner, eyebrows, eye liner etc.
• Hypertrophic or keloidal scarring (lumpy scars): If you have previously experienced hypertrophic or keloid scars you can be at risk of developing scars from minor injuries such as laser treatment.
• Recurrent coldsores: Coldsores can be triggered by laser treatments. If you frequently experience herpes virus infection (coldsores) near to the site of treatment then you may need antiviral prophylaxis to decrease this risk.
• Pregnancy or lactation: It is not recommended to have laser treatment during pregnancy due to an increased risk of complications.
• Important events: Due to the risks of unsightly changes in appearance of the skin it is not advisable to have treatment shortly before important events such as weddings or important business meetings etc.
• Vitiligo or other inflammatory skin disease such as psorisasis or lichen planus: If you suffer from an inflammatory skin disease, laser treatment can cause this to be triggered at the site of treatment . It is essential to inform Dr Lynch so that the risks and benefits of treatment can be discussed.
• Medications that cause photosensitivity (increased sensitivity to light)
• Treatnent with isotretinoin (roaccutane) within the last year

Risks

• Redness and inflammation (common): The treated site will be red and inflammed. In most cases this will settle within a week, although rarely redness can last longer and very rarely can be permanent.
• Pain (common): There will be some discomfort during the procedure and afterwards. Very rarely pain may persist for a longer period or fail to resolve.
• Bruising, bleeding, blistering, crusting, swelling (uncommon)
• Pigmentary Change (uncommon): There may be a temporary increase in pigmentation due to inflammation. Usually this will resolve within a few weeks, however there is a small risk of permanent changes in pigmentation with the treated area becoming hyperpigmented (darker) or hypopigmented (lighter) than the normal skin color. Risks are higher in those with pigmented skin types.
• Infection (uncommon): There is a risk of herpes virus reactivation (coldsores). There is also a risk of bacterial infection, particularly if the skin is broken due to blistering or crusting.
• Scarring (uncommon): Scarring is not common with laser hair removal but rarely can occur. If scarring occurs, this may be raised or lumpy (including hypertrophic or keloid scar), depressed, different in color from the adjacent skin (redder/lighter/darker), or different in texture (for example more shiny) in comparison with the adjacent skin.
• Failure to Achieve Desired Results, worsening of appearance: It is possible that this procedure does not lead to the degree of hair removal that you desire. Very rarely you may feel that the overall appearance has been worsened by laser treatment.
• Hair regrowth: Laser hair removal is not a permanent method of hair removal and repeat treatments are generally required.

Test patch

A test patch is advised to assess how your skin responds to the laser. It is necessary to allow at least a week after the test patch to assess for any late complications such as bruising or pigmentary change. A test patch reduces but does not eliminate the risk of complications.

Additional risks

Aftercare

Immediately after the treatment the skin will usually appear red and bumpy. It is essential to minimize sunlight exposure and to use a sunblock cream for at least a month after treatment. There may then be a temporary increase in pigmentation which usually resolves within 1-2 weeks.