Laser hair removal has been tested for over 30 years and for the past 10 years it has been commercially-available and certified by the FDA. Millions have used laser hair removal, a procedure that is highly efficient at removing problem hair. However, as with anything, there are side effects.

Laser hair removal uses an intense light that targets the dark matter around the follicle in order to destroy the follicle so that the hair falls out. Clinics use protective filters and gels that help protect the skin from damage and usually any problems on the skin are because of the skin type itself rather than the actual laser removal process.

Some things that can occur after laser hair removal include:

• Itching can occur, but this will fade in about three hours.
• Redness on the skin, which will fade in about three hours.
• Swelling will also appear in the are targeted but will disappear in about three hours.
• There is a bit of pain with laser hair removal, often at the same level of a small rubber band being snapped on the skin.
• Tingling and numbness in the treated area can also occur. This should fade in about three days.
• Burning skin like a sun burn can occur but will be gone in two to seven days.
• Discolored dark skin or white spots from the laser can appear.
• Acne can flare up in the treated area.
• Swelling of the follicle can occur.
• In the treated area a scab can form but this will disappear within a few days as well.
• Bruising is also sometimes a side-effect but it is very rare.
• The darkening of white skin has been known to occur but like white spots on dark skin, it is very rare and usually attributed to the wrong laser being used.

Laser hair removal is very safe and it has been used for many years by millions of people around the world. Laser hair removal does have side effects but they are very rare and any that do occur usually disappear within a few hours to a few days. Do not worry about laser hair removal; as long as you follow your technician’s recommendations, you will be fine with permanent hair reduction.

Make sure to read our FAQs and laser hair removal articles before going for a laser hair removal session.