Every year, a large number of people around the world undergo laser hair removal treatments, with many of them suffering from minor or major laser hair removal burns that are not only painful but could also leave permanent scars. By reading this guide, you will be able to know, How to Treat Laser Hair Removal Burns with Prevention Methods.
There is an inherent risk to aesthetic and laser hair removal treatments, including the possibility of burns and other complications such as infections. You must be aware of and accept all risks before consenting to treatment. When a burn occurs, it is critical to begin treatment as soon as possible.
You must also desist from administering any further treatment to the affected area until it has completely healed. The selection of the most qualified professional is a vital part of burn prevention. It is strongly recommended that you contact a professional who has received board certification.
How to treat laser hair removal burns?
Burns that occur during a laser hair removal treatment is essentially the same as any other type of burn that occurs as a result of heat. Not only can they be unsightly to those who have been injured, but they could also be extremely painful for those who have been injured. The most effective way to treat laser hair removal burns would vary based on the severity of the burn, but the following tips are applicable for first-degree type burns:
1. Over-the-counter pain reliever
Use an over-the-counter pain reliever like ibuprofen to alleviate your discomfort. (Consult your doctor if you have any questions.)
2. Topical antibiotic cream
If directed by prescribing doctor or nurse, you could apply a topical antibiotic cream to the burn to relieve it.
3. Vaseline petrolatum
A burn can be treated with mild skincare products. “Vaseline petrolatum does wonders for wound healing,” says Anna Chacon, MD, FAAD, a board-certified dermatologist who practices in New York City.
4. Avoid tight-fitting clothes
Make sure not to wear clothing that is too tight because this would irritate the burn even further.
5. Cool down the burned area
Heat causes burns, and the quickest way to alleviate the burning sensation is to cool the skin down as quickly as possible after the burn has occurred. It is important to start the cooldown treatment as soon as possible because the sooner you begin to feel relief from pain and the sooner your burn injuries would begin to heal.
- In order to relieve pain associated with burns, apply cool (not cold) or lukewarm water to the area until the burn has completely healed. Do not apply any creams or other greasy substances to the burn, and do not use ice water or other icy substances to cool it down.
- Lay a layer of clean cling film over the burn area and cover it completely; do not wrap cling film around the burn area itself.
- Following the manufacturer’s instructions, take paracetamol or ibuprofen to alleviate the pain.
While you could treat a mild laser hair removal burn at home, if you are in any way concerned, you must seek professional medical advice, and if you have a more severe laser hair removal burn, you must seek immediate medical attention. Your doctor can determine severity of your burn and prescribe the appropriate medications to aid in the proper healing of your injuries.
6. Keep your skin away from the sun.
The avoidance of sun exposure is a critical component of the treatment of laser hair removal burns. While outside, keep the burned area covered with clothing or wraps if you need to go somewhere else urgently. If exposure to sun is unavoidable, use sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or higher to protect yourself.
7. Avoid using greasy or occlusive ointments on your skin.
Except as directed by your doctor, avoid the use of greasy or occlusive creams or lotions on your laser burn because they tend to trap in heat and cause it to worsen.
Is laser hair removal burns permanent?
In order to achieve best results, laser hair treatments should only be used on the condition that is being corrected. Unless the laser’s energy is absorbed by the hair, it could cause severe burns if the energy is absorbed by the skin instead. Scarring that lasts a lifetime. Despite the fact that lasers are frequently used to correct scarring, they can, ironically, result in more serious and permanent scars.
What are the things to know when treating laser hair removal burns?
You must exercise caution when treating any type of burn injury because of the following factors:
1. Seek medical attention
If you are injured during a laser hair removal procedure, you must seek medical attention as soon as possible and follow the aftercare instructions given to you by your doctor or the laser technician who performed the treatment.
2. Stay focused
When treating burn injuries, use extreme caution and maintain your focus. Excruciating pain could result from applying too much pressure or from an accidental jab to the area.
3. Try to avoid touching the affected area.
Try to avoid touching or allowing anyone else to touch the affected area with their bare hands as much as possible because this could aggravate the already existing burn injuries.
4. Never pop burn blisters
Although opinions could differ, it is best not to pop burn blisters because doing so could make the injury more susceptible to infection. If you have large blisters, for example, that are extremely painful or that are likely to burst, you must seek medical advice or attention to determine the best course of action to take.
5. Avoid skincare products
As a precaution, certain skincare products must be avoided. Chacon advises that topical dermatologic medications, like retinoid, should be avoided for at least one week before the procedure.
What are the reasons for laser hair removal burns?
The following are the most common causes of laser hair treatment-related burn injuries that occur:
1. Unqualified and inexperienced technicians
A procedure that was improperly and inadequately carried out Technicians who are unqualified and inexperienced.
2. Incorrect heat level
It is possible that you will suffer a laser hair removal burn during the procedure if the technicians do not regulate the device to the proper heat level. As a result, your skin absorbs more heat than it should, causing you to suffer from a laser burn as a result.
3. Prolonged laser contact
As per research conducted by Trusted Source, burns could occur when the laser is in contact with the skin for an excessive amount of time without adequate cooling. It’s possible that the type of laser is to blame as well, as newer devices typically have more safety features to help prevent burns.
How to minimize the risk of laser hair removal burns?
To reduce your chances of getting laser burns, make sure you go to a reputable beauty salon that offers the procedure and that the technician has enough experience working with laser devices before you have the procedure done. There are several other ways to avoid getting laser burns, including the following:
1. Patch test
When it comes to reducing the risk of laser hair removal burns, the most important step is to have a patch test performed. Before performing a laser hair removal procedure, most reputable aestheticians would perform a patch test on a small skin area.
When the patch test site is successfully completed, it is closely monitored to ensure that there is no discoloration or pain, and procedure is only recommended if patch test was successful. You should never, ever undergo any type of laser hair removal treatment without first having a patch test performed on the area of the body that you intend to treat.
2. Choose the right specialist
In order to reduce the likelihood of suffering burn injuries as a result of a laser hair removal procedure, you must take care when selecting the right specialist. Only certified laser technicians are permitted to perform laser treatments. It makes no difference how impressive the other factors are; if the technician is not licensed, that clinic should be crossed off your list.
3. Take a look at the tools that were used
Check to see that the laser device has been approved and is in good working order.
4. Skin type and color
Make certain that the laser device used is appropriate for your skin type and coloring, keeping in mind that some laser devices are designed to work on people of all skin types and colors, including dark skin.
5. Reviews
Take a look at some of reviews left by previous clients. Do the reviews praise the aesthetician and recommend the clinic, or are the reviews overwhelmingly critical of the aesthetician and the clinic?
Visiting a reputable dermatologist or beauty salon that offers laser treatments can help reduce your chances of suffering from laser burns. Also, make certain that the specialist has previous experience with lasers. Besides these indicators, there are several others that can be taken to avoid suffering from painful laser burns:
- Verify that the laser device has been approved by the FDA and that it has been properly maintained.
- You should shave your legs at least 24 hours before your laser session to prevent the laser from burning the hair on your legs.
- Check to see that the laser device being used is appropriate for your skin type, skin tone, and hair color.
- Confirm that your laser treatment is being performed by a qualified and licensed technician before proceeding.
Should you pop a burn blister?
In the event that your skin has blistered as a result of a laser hair removal burn, do not pop the blisters. It is possible that popping the blister will result in infection. Additionally, there are other steps you could take to administer first aid, including laser hair removal burns blister care and laser hair removal burns blister care.
It is possible that new skin would form beneath the affected area and that the fluid would be removed. Never puncture a blister unless it is large, painful, or likely to become more irritated as a result of doing so. The fluid blister helps to keep the underlying skin clean, which helps to prevent infections and speed up the healing process.
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Top 5 FAQ & answers on how to treat laser hair removal burns
Is it normal to have a burning sensation after having laser hair removal done?
Burns are not usually one of the side effects that occur after treatment, although they can occur. You could be experiencing side effects because of an improperly performed treatment. In addition, a person’s skin type may not be compatible with the laser in some circumstances.
Do laser hair removal burns disappear away over time?
After having a laser treatment, you could experience some swelling, small bumps, irritation, and temporary discomfort. However, this will only be on the area that was laser treated. This is a temporary condition that should subside on its own within a few hours to a couple of days at the most. Using a cooling cream, on the other hand, can help to soothe the affected area.
How long do laser hair removal burns take to heal completely?
The healing time for laser hair removal burns varies depending on the type of burn. Healing of the wounds caused by laser surgery can take one to three weeks, depending on the severity of the swelling, blistering, crusting, or flaking that occurs in the treated areas.
Can I sue for laser hair removal burns?
Because laser hair removal procedures are not considered medical treatments, you would not be able to sue the clinic for medical malpractice if you undergo a laser hair removal procedure. The other option is to file a lawsuit against them for negligence and emotional distress that you have experienced as a result of procedure.
Is it true that burns become darker as they heal?
In most cases, burns of the second degree heal within 7 to 21 days. The burned area may become permanently darker or lighter in color, and it may develop a scar as a result of the burn.
Conclusion
Laser hair removal burns are extremely uncomfortable. They have the potential to make your skin feel hot, sore, and tender to the touch after application. Many people would tell you that the sensation is similar to a mild sunburn on their skin. The most important step in avoiding laser hair removal treatment burns is to ensure that the procedure is performed by trained and experienced technician who is familiar with the procedure.
If you do get a laser burn, you should simply take it easy for the next couple of days and apply an ice pack to the affected area to reduce swelling. In addition, an over-the-counter pain reliever can be used to alleviate discomfort. You would have flawless, hair-free skin after a few days of self-care has allowed your burn to subside and go away completely.
