Is this a normal reaction after laser hair removal or is it burns/allergic reaction? (Photos)

Question

I received my second laser hair removal treatment to my back and shoulders over 48 hours ago and my skin has reacted completely different to my first treatment. Within 4-6 hours of the second treatment, my back was covered in these red itchy spots. Now (48 hrs post treatment) some redness has decreased and the area still remains quite itchy. Some spots have white heads, almost like pimples which can be popped. After my first treatment my skin never even got red

Thomas Wright, MD · Answer

Hello and thank you for your question. This is a completely normal response to Laser Hair Removal. Skin can become itchy, red and have white or black heads at the surface, the few days immediately after treatment. Most laser technicians will go up in energy every treatment, so that might have been why you did not have this response after the first treatment and do now. You can try taking an antihistamine and exfoliate the area over the next week.

Laura Riehm, MD · Answer

Thanks for your question and posting pictures.  It looks like you might have had folliculitis.  Anyone suggesting this looks "normal", doesn't do a lot of hair removal.  Your skin should be getting back to normal soon.  Sometimes this happens on its own, but not normally.  Don't let this dissuade you from doing additional treatments.  After LHR and most other laser treatments, it is important to not raise your body temperature for the next several hours.  Avoid strenuous exercise, hot tubs or even a hot bath for the rest of the day.  Aloe Vera my help soothe your skin.  I hope this helps.

Is this a normal reaction after laser hair removal or is it burns/allergic reaction? (Photos)

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Is this a normal reaction after laser hair removal or is it burns/allergic reaction? (Photos)

Answers (2)

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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.