Will laser hair removal ease my keratosis pilaris? (Photos)

Question

I have severe keratosis pilaris on my body especially legs. I know there's no treatment however I was wondering if laser hair removal will make a difference in my skin

Hooman Khorasani, MD · Answer

Thank you for the photo that really helps me answer your question appropriately.  I agree with the other panelist that Laser Hair removal itself does not alleviate the KP.  A treatment that will really help is ammonium lactate or lac hydrin that is far cheaper.  To reduce redness if that is what bothers you then you can consider a Pulse Dyed Laser.  For the texture much like the other panelist you can consider doing a chemical peel.  In the end this is genetically inherited condition without a known cure but is very common.

Jason Emer, MD · Answer

I suggest a combination of peels/lasers to the arms.  This gives improvement, but this is a genetic condition that has no cure and will need treatments to maintain.  Best, Dr. Emer.

Gary Nackman, MD, FACS · Answer

Laser hair removal is unlikely to improve the condition. There are a variety of published papers of small series of patients being treated with different laser strategies to address the roughness of the skin. You need to find an experienced laser physician and discuss the treatment options.  There are no guarantees. I'd recommend starting with a good skin care regimen along with a treatment of Retinoids under a doctor's supervision.

Thomas D. Griffin Jr., MD · Answer

Thank you for your question. Laser hair removal uses the pigment in your hair to target and destroy the hair follicle. Keratosis pilaris does not have a well formed follicle for this to work. Although the results would be entirely temporary, you could consider some other cosmetic treatments based on what bothers you most. Pulsed dye, BBL and KTP lasers can help with the redness. If you are more concerned with the bumps, you could consider a laser peel or a series of chemical peels. I would consult a physician who has extensive experience with laser devices and inquire about these options and realistic expectations for improvement.

Will laser hair removal ease my keratosis pilaris? (Photos)

Answers (4)

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