Laser Hair Removal Side Effects and Risks?

In the hands of the right physician using the appropriate device set at the correct settings, side effects from laser hair removal present a very minimal risk.  However, if the settings are incorrect any of the following may occur:  blistering, darkening of the skin, erosions on the lip, development of cold sores, redness and persistent pain.  Most of these are temporary and can be avoided by proper preparation of the treated area prior to the procedure being performed.... more

There are many risks to any kind of therapy. laser hair removal is no different and the risks although most unlikely include: 1) skin getting darker or lighter than the surrounding skin 2) blistering 3) scarring 4) bringing out a viral infection- like herpes simplex 5) damaging a tattoo in the area 6) even causing more hair to grow - in very rare cases 7) and the list goes on. A doctor proficient in lasers - although may be initially higher- will be able to minimize and avoid most of the... more

Hyperpigmentation or scars are very rare, and almost non-existent when visiting a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon or Board Certified Dermatologist, provided you follow instructions. Nothing is without risk however.

There is no doubt that Laser Hair Removal has revolutionized the laser techno era! As with any procedure, it is always smart to weigh the pros and cons. Laser hair removal definitely offers more pros! Not only can you remove unwanted hairs, but you can also satisfactorily address ingrown hairs and the excess pigmentation that comes with them! Side effects are usually an issue only when done improperly or if the patient has used a medication, depilitator or some other... more

Potential risks of laser hair removal include temporary or permanent hypo-pigmentation or hyper-pigmentation. This can occur even when optimal laser treatment parameters are used. Blister formation, scar formation, ulceration, hive-like response, bruising, infection, acne flare, and folliculitis are all possible complications. Darker skinned individuals also have a low risk of paradoxical conversion of lighter, finer hair to darker more coarse hair. While these risks are low, scarring can be... more

As is true with all laser skin treatments there is a potential for side effects from laser hair removal. Side effects are more likely in people with darker skin types and in freshly tanned skin. The most common side effect would be hyperpigmentation (darkening) of the skin which is usually temporary but can last months or even be permanent. Skin infections, skin lightening and even scarring are all possible though very unlikely. It is important to let your doctor know if you've had a... more

There is a science behind laser hair removal and the risks depend on the expertise of the practitioner.  I personally believe that laser hair removal should be performed by a physician. This minimizes risks and improves results. The theoretical risks of laser include pigmentation and skin irritation.  These are minimal risks, however.

As a dermatologist, we see lots of bad things from people who get treated at "medical spas". First of all, side effects of treatments can happen to anyone. It is perfectly fine for someone other than a doctor to perform the actual procedure AS LONG as it is under the supervision of a physician (specifically a dermatologist or plastic surgeon). With the economy and decreasing pay for our physicians, we have seen a lot of problems with general providers and "spas" trying... more

Thank you for your question. Interestingly, this question frequently arises. The short answer is that there is no long term side effects to laser hair removal or any other type of laser treatment. Laser treatments use light in the visible or infrared spectrum, and these wavelengths are not the ones that cause cancer (like xrays, cosmic rays, or ultraviolet rays). Also, the penetration of the laser is minimal and does not cause damage to the soft tissues. So, you have nothing to worry about.... more

If done safely within in the recommended settings for your skin type, it is unlikely that you will have any side effects. However, when side effects do happen, generally they are related to color changes, burns or rarely scarring. If done on the lip area, it dcan cause cold sores which if left untreated can cause scarring. Sun exposure before or after the treatments can increase the likelihood of these side effects. Regards