Laser Hair Removal - Related FAQ's

Q: Is laser hair removal good for ingrown hairs or folliculitis?

A: Laser hair removal is not indicated for bacterial folliculitis, but when the hairs continually ingrow and cause an inflammatory response as a “acne”-like bump, such as pseudofolliculitis barbae, which especially is common in the beard of some men of skin of color, then laser hair removal is an excellent treatment as it can avoid risks that are more common with more aggressive treatments.

Q: Does laser hair removal hurt a lot?

A: Every person has a different pain threshold. Some people react more to stimuli than others. In general, you do feel the heat energy being absorbed in quick bursts as the laser beam strikes the hair follicles. After the use of a numbing cream and the laser tip that chills the skin, the pain is less and tolerable for the great majority of patients.

Q: Is there a risk of lighter skin color after laser hair removal?

A: All skin types have a risk of lighter or darker skin pigmentation after any treatment that delivers energy to the epidermis. Laser hair removal in patients with skin of color needs to utilize conservative settings and at times special wavelengths. Irritation can stimulate pigment and this postinflammatory hyperpigmentation is a risk after laser hair removal. Excessive absorption by one’s epidermal melanocytes or pigment in the epithelial cells can create a removal of that color that can cause lightening that lasts for more than a year and may never come back to normal. Avoid getting a tan prior to laser hair removal.

Related FAQ's

Back to Laser Hair Removal Home Page