Laser Hair Removal-Related Complications
Immediate Complications: Burns Laser burns are becoming more common these days. Burns caused by lasers are classified into three categories:
1. First-degree burns are rarely life-threatening and do not require special care because they normally heal on their own.
2. Blisters, discoloration, and scarring of the skin may occur in the second and third degrees.
Blistering
A second-degree burn results in blistering. This happens because the laser therapy is performed by untrained or unqualified professionals. Blisters are painful and can be uncomfortable. They can cause scarring and pigmentation changes if left untreated.
Hyperpigmentation
The term hyperpigmentation refers to the darkening of the skin. It normally fades after three months, but it might continue for up to eight months. It\’s more common in people with darker skin, and it\’s usually treated with high laser energy or epidermal cooling.
Hypopigmentation
Hypopigmentation occurs when the laser beam is partially absorbed by the skin rather than by hair follicles, resulting in skin whitening. The beam disrupts or causes an imbalance in the formation of melanin. This can continue up to two months, but in severe situations, it can be permanent.
Scarring
Scarring is frequently a side effect of laser burns. Scarring is common when laser machines are used incorrectly.
Crusting
Laser can injure hair follicles, resulting in minor bleeding or scab formation. Ingrown hairs are the most common cause of this condition. The most common cause of crusting is excessive laser treatment.
Purpura Visible
Purpura is a type of skin bleeding that results in purple spots or rashes. Purpura is a transient condition that normally heals and goes away in 3-5 days. It is a common consequence of tanned skin, hence laser treatment on tanned skin is not recommended.
Erythema or Skin Irritation
In most cases, laser removal causes transient irritation, swelling, and redness in the treated area. This normally goes away after a few hours or after using ice packs.
Late Consequences:
Folliculitis
Folliculitis is a hair follicle inflammation. It is characterized by red pimples with hair in the middle. These pimples may contain pus, causing irritation and skin burning. It\’s a common side effect among men who have laser hair removal.
Dermatitis from contact
Contact dermatitis is an inflammatory condition that causes redness, swelling, itching, and occasionally blisters. This is a common problem with the face and feet. Unless it is scraped or comes into contact with chemicals, dermatitis recovers after a day of therapy.
Hypertrichosis with Oddities
Although paradoxical hypertrichosis is a rare disorder (0.6 percent to 10%), it is frequent in a few ethnic groups and geographic regions, such as Asia and the Mediterranean. On the face and neck, paradoxical hypertrichosis is very common. Individuals with darker skin tones are more vulnerable. The exact cause of paradoxical hypertrichosis is uncertain.
Fordyce, Fox
Fox Fordyce is an apocrine sweat gland inflammatory illness that is treated with laser hair removal. The most common cause of auxiliary fox Fordyce is laser removal. The laser is supposed to cause epidermal separation and delayed keratinocyte maturation by damaging the follicular infundibulum. Pruritic skin colored follicular papules occur on gland bearing areas, indicating the presence of the condition.
Leukotrichia
The scientific word for white hair is leukotrichia. The most prevalent consequence is caused by excessive laser beam absorption by hair follicles, resulting in melanin decrease or absence owing to melanocyte loss. It could be transitory or long-term.
Bromhidrosis and Hyperhidrosis
Bromhidrosis is a foul-smelling body odour generated by perspiration interacting with bacteria on the skin and releasing odour. Colonization of the hairs by odor-producing bacteria is the strategy. Hair removal causes germs to colonise the skin, resulting in a shift in skin flora and an increase in odour.
Hyperhidrosis is sweating that is abnormally excessive. Exercise and hot showers should be avoided for at least 24 hours following laser hair removal to avoid infection or ingrown hairs.
Complications of the Eyes
Lasers can harm the eyes in both reversible and irreversible ways. After laser operations, several incidences of uveitis, iritis, and iris atrophy have been documented. Laser penetration into different layers of the eyes causes ocular problems, which damage the exposed area. As a result, wearing protective gear is suggested and recommended.
Hazards associated with equipment:
Laser devices are strong instruments with a variety of applications, but they can also be damaging to patients in a variety of ways. Laser hair removal should only be done by trained specialists because the equipment is highly complicated and the lasers might cause skin harm.
The professional\’s responsibility in managing this equipment is critical because he is responsible for preventing device-related issues. To avoid laser harm, those in the laser rooms should wear appropriate protective safety equipment. Controlled access, proper use of safety gear, and testing of laser operations should all be monitored.
Precautionary measures to avoid difficulties.
It is critical to understand that when undergoing Laser Hair Removal, some precautions must be observed. The advantage is that if these are followed, the outcomes are obtained. The negative is that avoiding items can result in a variety of difficulties after the treatment. Parrish and Anderson proposed the selective photothermolysis idea in 1983. According to Parrish and Anderson, the wavelength of the laser should be totally absorbed by the chromophore in the targeted tissue and not absorbed by the surrounding tissue. As a result, the laser should be administered in a pulse duration equal to or less than the thermal relaxation time or TRT. A precautionary measure to avoid difficulties.
It is critical to understand that when undergoing Laser Hair Removal, some precautions must be observed. The advantage is that if these are followed, the outcomes are obtained. The negative is that avoiding items can result in a variety of difficulties after the treatment. Parrish and Anderson proposed the selective photothermolysis idea in 1983. According to Parrish and Anderson, the wavelength of the laser should be totally absorbed by the chromophore in the targeted tissue and not absorbed by the surrounding tissue. As a result, the laser should be administered in a pulse duration equal to or less than the thermal relaxation time or TRT. The practitioner should send the maximum number of photons to the targeted chromophore after selecting the right wavelength for the chromophore. This can be accomplished by adjusting the pulse duration and fluence.
Pulse duration: a pulse duration of more than 10 ms must be considered to avoid heat damage to the epidermis. The pulse duration must be longer than the follicle cooling time, which is 100 milliseconds, to cause follicle damage. The optimal pulse duration must be between 10 and 100 milliseconds when these two principles are combined.