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I Had Laser Hair Removal in 1997. Are There Any Known Long Term Effects from Those Treatments?

asked 6 months ago by kcurious in Norristown, PA
Latest answer by Emily Altman, MD
Question viewed 77 times
Tags: 15 years post-op, long-term, side effects

Back in 1997 when I was 18, I was taken to a doctor in philadelphia for facial laser hair treatment. The first couple of treatments, used a laser that required wiping a black salve type liquid on my face and finally, after several treatments later, they started using a clear cooling gel with a different laser. The treatments were extrememly painful and, in the end, extremely ineffective. Are their known risks/long term effects to these first lasers to be concerned about now?

1 answer to I Had Laser Hair Removal in 1997. Are There Any Known Long Term Effects from Those Treatments?

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Short and long term side effects of laser hair removal

Laser hair removal side effects are usually seen fairly rapidly after the treatment. Most of them are temporary, such as hyperpigmentation or even burns. Hypopigmentation can sometimes last a very long time. If the burns are deep enough, they can result in permanent scars. However, if you had no side effects after the treatments, they will not show up years later. Lasers used for hair removal are in the visible light spectrum. There are lasers that use... more
Emily Altman, MD

Short Hills Dermatologic Surgeon

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