Have you ever wondered why some people get red bumps after laser hair removal while others don’t? Has your technician ever told you that it is normal to see a rash or redness after treatment? What causes ingrown hairs after laser? Are these side effects temporary or do they mean something more serious has gone wrong? The truth is, red bumps are not always an allergic reaction. Although laser hair removal technicians will tell you otherwise, red bumps and rashes are in fact a part of the normal post-treatment healing process for some people.
The most common cause of these ltchy red bumps is inflammation in the follicle due to heat and pressure from the laser machine. The heat from the laser causes the skin to become swollen and tender, while the pressure from the applicator can cause tiny tears in the skin’s surface. The body responds by sending white blood cells to fight off any infection that might have occurred, but this results in inflammation around each follicle that was treated with the laser.
Read on to learn more about Itchy Red Bumps After Laser Hair Removal, Laser hair removal Post-Treatment Reaction, How Do I Treat These Bumps After The Laser Hair Removal?
Itchy Red Bumps After Laser Hair Removal
Laser Hair Removal is an extremely safe and effective procedure in removing hair and preventing future growth. In this way, many consider it as a permanent solution for unwanted hair growth. This procedure uses a concentrated beam of light (laser) to target and eliminate hair follicles. It does this by emitting light, which is absorbed the pigment in the hair, turning into heat and damaging the follicles. When the hair follicles are damaged, this prevents or slows future growth. Because the laser targets pigment, people with darker hair make better candidates.
Laser Hair Removal is usually done on areas where hair may be awkward and unsightly for the patient. These areas include but are not limited to the underarm, upper lip, chin, and bikini line.
But like many cosmetic procedures, it doesn’t come without risks. Two of the most common and persistent side effects after laser hair removal are bumps and itching on the skin. While these two are expected to happen, let’s get right to the ways to prevent and treat them.
Why do we get bumps and itching?
Along with hyperpigmentation, skin irritation in the form of bumps and itching is a common side effect. The skin irritation you may experience results from the damage to the hair follicles. The body reacts to this damage by becoming red, tender, and slightly swollen on the affected areas. After this, you may see small bumps form in the same area.
Some people may be alarmed by these bumps, but they’re completely normal and usually subside within a day or two. These bumps may also become itchy, but it is crucial you do not scratch them. Scratching them might aggravate the inflammation and result in unsightly scarring.
Laser hair removal 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. Fortunately, the bumps will disappear within a day or two after your treatment.
The bumps may be itchy, but it is imperative that you do not scratch. Scratching the skin will increase inflammation even further, resulting in serious discomfort and possible scarring. If the small red bumps are causing you any discomfort, apply a cold compress to the area. Create an ice pack by bundling a few ice cubes into a plastic bag. Seal up the bag and hold on the affected skin for a few minutes. The ice will not only numb any discomfort you are experiencing, but it will also reduce the redness and possible swelling.
Post-Treatment Crusting
As the bumps disappear, you may notice that your skin feels excessively dry. In some instances, the bumps will dry out and begin to crust. Again, this is a common issue that occurs after a laser hair treatment, so there is no need to panic. Apply a healing ointment to these overly dry and crusty areas of your skin. A thin layer of petroleum jelly can be beneficial in these areas. Since petroleum jelly does not contain toxic chemicals, using it offers less risk of further irritation.
How Do I Treat These Bumps After The Laser Hair Removal?
After the initial reaction and crusting decreases, you should continue caring for your skin. Make sure to moisturize your skin periodically after your treatment. Consider using aloe vera gel to soothe inflamed skin while keeping it moisturized.
When you bathe or shower, be gentle when washing laser-treated areas. Do not scrub treated areas with a wash cloth, body wash puff, or sponge. Use a soft microfiber cloth to gently wash areas of your skin. In addition, use a gentle body wash while bathing and showering. To smooth your skin, consider using a gentle exfoliating body wash.
Post-care treatment is crucial in treating symptoms and side effects. Here are what experts advise you to do:
- Avoid sun exposure: This part is equally crucial for the next seven days post-treatment. The treated areas will be quite sensitive, so the UV might harm the skin and cause discoloration.
- Apply cold towels, ice packs, and some restorative gel to affected areas: This may help alleviate pain and swelling. This could also ease the itching that comes along with the bumps.
- We recommend Tylenol and other over-the-counter medication to treat discomfort: You can take some pain relief medication to help you if the discomfort becomes noticeable.
Do not apply any harsh products on the treated area for the next 24 hours: While redness is present, you’ll want to stay away from makeup and other harsh skin products. These products may irritate your skin and lead to unwanted side effects. It’s best to avoid them in the meantime.