Laser hair removal works by destroying the hair follicle and bulb using a laser. The pigment contained in the hair absorbs the light and is destroyed.
Laser hair removal is a safe treatment but some temporary side effects are possible like pain, swelling, redness and blisters, darker or lighter marks, especially in dark skin and tanned skins and permanent complications may include scarring and skin discoloration.
In the few minutes following the treatment, the skin of the treated area turns slightly pink, and patient might feel a little sunburned for a couple of days.
Side effects include some redness and swelling, similar to a sunburn, blistering may occasionally be seen. Skin may also be a factor in this treatment.
People who are dark-skinned or tan may have some loss of pigment. If skin is dark, the laser gets absorbed by the pigment in the skin and doesn’t reach the hair follicle, limiting the effect of the treatment and potentially damaging the skin.
Tan patients, and those who use artificial tanning creams, should allow their skin color to lighten before treatment. All patients need to be careful of the sun after treatment.
The procedure may not work on certain hair colors. The procedure doesn’t seem to work very well on light-haired people, whose hair contains little melanin.