Laser hair removal is a fantastic option if you want to reduce the amount of hair on your body or if you want to have hair-free skin permanently. This treatment is so effective that women around the globe are fascinated by it. But with this cosmetic treatment there is a risk of possible scarring and many women are concerned about this.
Therefore, in this article, we will discuss the causes, prevention and treatment of laser hair removal scars that you may get during the treatment.
- Part 1: Does laser hair removal leave scars?
- Part 2: How to treat scars from laser hair removal?
- Part 3: How to Get Rid of Laser Hair Removal Scars: Avoiding Scars
- Part 4: Does laser hair removal help with scars?
- Part 5: Conclusion
Does laser hair removal leave scars?
Even though this treatment is considered one of the safest hair removal treatments, there is still a small chance that you will get scars on your body during the treatment. But whether you get scars or not depends on many things.
Factors that can lead to scarring during laser hair removal
The color of your skin
Remember that the laser targets the melanin in the hair follicles, and this melanin is dark in color . However, if your skin color is also dark, it will absorb a lot of the laser beams, which can lead to burns and scarring. To avoid this, your practitioner will do their best to adjust the settings of the device accordingly.
Incorrect technique by your practitioner
Sometimes practitioners, especially beginners, set up the device incorrectly or use the wrong procedure, which can lead to scarring at the treatment site. Laser hair removal requires a high level of precision, which is not easy for all practitioners.
Recent sun exposure
If you have recently tanned or the area being treated has been exposed to the sun for a long time, you will probably have to expect scarring there because your skin is already battling the damage caused by the harsh sunlight and the laser will increase the heat there. Not only will it cause scarring, but you may also feel a burning sensation. Therefore, you should avoid tanning or lying in the sun for long periods of time shortly before your treatment.
Important steps to reduce the risk of scarring
Go to a qualified expert
Since laser hair removal requires experience, precision and a focused approach, you should choose a professional who has all of these skills. Choose one who can operate the device properly, who cares about your health and well-being and who takes all the important measures to minimize the risk.
Proper aftercare
Even if the treatment went well, without proper aftercare, the heat can remain trapped, which can lead to scarring. Applying moisturizers, cooling agents, etc. will help your skin fight the heat and prevent scarring.
How to treat scars from laser hair removal?
If you have to deal with the scars you got from laser hair removal, then you need to do the following:
- Scar creams and gels: You can buy them over the counter and apply them like a regular cream. They have a quick cooling effect and can treat scars to some extent. This is one of the topical treatments.
- Chemical peels: Your dermatologist may prescribe chemical peels to exfoliate the damaged skin and remove the part that has scars.
- Silicone gel sheets: These gel sheets can be placed directly on the affected area and will help cool the burning sensation and smooth the scar. But this is a somewhat lengthy process.
- Microneedling: This is a rather complicated process that uses tiny needles to create micro-injuries in the skin that produce collagen. This improves the overall structure of your skin in that area and fades the scars.
You must first speak to your dermatologist
Although there are many options, you should still see a doctor, show them your scars and find a personalized solution. They will look at the scar and tell you what the best option is for you depending on the type and severity of the scar.
How to Get Rid of Laser Hair Removal Scars: Avoiding Scars
Since scars can be a nightmare and a nuisance, there are some ways you can avoid them before going for your laser hair removal.
- Stay out of the sun : Laser hair removal exposes your skin to a lot of heat and stress. And exposing your skin to too much heat and sunlight will make it even more susceptible to scarring. It's best to stay out of the sun or cover your treatment area.
- Don't tan: Tanning can make your skin vulnerable to scarring again because it puts a lot of stress on the skin.
- Keep the treatment area shaved: Shaving your treatment area before shaving will help the lasers focus on your hair follicles rather than your skin. This is a brilliant way to ensure your skin is not affected during the treatment.
The importance of professional advice
Your medical professional will advise you on personalized solutions
Based on the condition of your scar, your doctor will offer you a customized and personalized treatment and solution that is best suited for your body.
You can monitor progress
If you are receiving treatment under the supervision of your doctor, he or she will monitor the progress of removing your scars. If the treatment is not working or you need other medication, he or she can inform you in time.
You can minimize the overall risk
Scar removal treatment is difficult and very risky, but your doctor can ensure that there are no other risks associated with the treatment because they are experts in this field. The overall risk is zero.
Does laser hair removal help with scars?
Yes, laser hair removal is very effective in improving the appearance of scars to some extent. You will learn more about it in this section.
How can laser hair removal improve the appearance of scars?
It can improve the texture
With the laser we can smooth the overall texture of the skin by improving collagen production in that area. This way the scars will fade.
Laser treatment can reduce pigmentation
During laser treatment, we can target the laser specifically at the scars and reduce their discoloration to a certain extent.
Your skin tone can be improved
When the laser targets the scars, it can stimulate your skin to produce new skin cells, and this can even out the overall skin tone in that area.
How does laser treatment stimulate collagen production?
collagen stimulation
When the laser devices shoot light beams at the skin, they penetrate the skin and stimulate the production of collagen. Collagen is a protein that maintains the texture and elasticity of our skin.
breakdown of scar tissue
When the light rays penetrate your skin, they generate a lot of heat that is enough to break down the scar tissue. Meanwhile, the light rays help your body to better distribute the collagen fibers.
Try talking to a dermatologist
If you visit your trusted dermatologist, he or she can examine the situation and tell you how to proceed with laser treatment to get rid of the scar. He or she can also tell you what home remedies you can use instead of undergoing surgical treatment (if possible).
Conclusion
We just saw that laser hair removal causes scars, and if that's true, then how does laser hair removal remove scars? By now, you probably realize that your laser hair removal can leave scars, especially if you choose a cheap and unreliable salon. But if you already have scars, you can get rid of them with the help of various topical and surgical treatments. However, as we mentioned earlier, it is very important to see a doctor even if you think the scar is not that bad. Remember that your doctor knows your body better than anyone else and that only he can tell you what to do and how to go about scar treatment. After all, you don't want the scar to get any worse.
