7 days and still my burns from hair removal laser session is not healed. Is that normal? What can I do? (photo)

Question

It has been a week after doing full body hair removal laser session and I still have these burns on my hand, and part of my vagina.

Jason Emer, MD · Answer

Thanks for sending in the photos, It does appear that you have been burned. I would recommend you see your provider, I recommend you use laser such as the Diode, alexandrite and yag laser for optimal results, if you still want to seek our laser hair removal. It will take a series of treatments to get improvement. Please see an expert for an evaluation. Best, Dr. Emer.

Laura Riehm, MD · Answer

Thanks for your question and posting a picture.  You were badly burned.  You should follow up with the supervising physician where the treatment took place.  We test spot darker skin type patients with 1-2 pulses someplace that won't show.  After you are healed, you need to find a differently place!For anyone, if LHR hurts that badly, you are in the wrong place.  You should probably seek out a laser vs. IPL to help avoid complications.  Almost all newer lasers are safe for all skin types and have features built in (such as sapphire cooling tips) to make them more comfortable.  Some of the newer technology is also more efficient, allowing for lower energy settings to be used with better results and less discomfort.  With modern equipment, your treatment should only be mildly uncomfortable, but not painful.  We never use numbing cream for LHR.  We want our patients to be able to tell us if they feel pain or an unusual level of discomfort.We recommend finding an experienced and reputable provider in your area with updated equipment.  A consistent overlapping technique is the key to avoiding patchiness in LHR.   Calibration and power of the laser is important for a safe, comfortable and effective treatment.  Find out what laser they will use and if it is under a maintenance contract.  If their laser isn’t calibrated on a regular basis or is underpowered, your treatment may be painful or inefficient. After a series of 6-8 initial treatments, you may need a touch up every 3-5 years.

Aurora DeJuliis, MD · Answer

Those burns should not have happened. You need to speak to the physician that performed the treatment (I hope you had a physician trained in laser hair removal). At this point you need to use a prescription bleaching cream combined with a cortisone cream to help the inflammatory response in your skin.
You should heal very well, but it will take some time.

7 days and still my burns from hair removal laser session is not healed. Is that normal? What can I do? (photo)

Answers (3)

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Everything you need to know about Laser Hair Removal

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7 days and still my burns from hair removal laser session is not healed. Is that normal? What can I do? (photo)

Answers (3)

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Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Laser Hair Removal

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.