Laser Hair Removal Risks

by Moe Smiley

The second most common procedure in cosmetic surgery, behind Botox injections, is the noninvasive procedure called laser hair removal. A recent study performed by the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery in NYC reported 1.4 million laser hair removal treatments were performed in the US.

These numbers are projected to double over the course of the next four years, and just because there has been a mass volume of laser skin treatments performed that don't exclude these treatments from risk. There are many factors in consideration when thinking about getting laser hair treatments and your safety should be on the top of that list. Here are few of the rare, but potentially serious risks involved with laser skin treatments:

Hyperpigmentation or hypopigmentatioin: This is another rare risk that patients have experienced, but still serious enough to ask you practioncers if your skin type is considered high-risk. The best candidate for laser skin treatments is an individual with dark skin and light colored hair; these individuals run the least risk of all other skin or hair types. The highest propensity of risk for hyperpigmentaiton, are blonde haired people with very light skin, and the second highest risk individuals are ones with dark skin, with coarse, dark hair.

Changes in Skin Texture: This is a favorable complication in most cases, with some patients experiencing a smoothness of the skin after laser skin treatments have e been performed.

Bleeding and Blistering: This is another very rare risk that very few patients' experience, with blistering being a result of bleeding and bleeding being a result of improperly calibrated laser treatment equipment.

Toxic shock: This is the rarest of all risks reported, and has been a complication due to excess topical, numbing cream applied to the treated area. In two cases toxic shock has led to heart failure, which led to the death of two elderly women with pre-existing heart conditions.

Scarring: This is a result experienced with some darker skinned individuals and usually is a result of bleeding during the procedure and blistering shortly afterwards. These types of complications can be avoided by notifying the practitioner or nurse who is performing the procedure about any discomfort or abnormal pain experienced during this procedure.

About the Author
Moe Smiley is a media specialist for a top laser hair removal Los Angeles center and is does PR for some of the top cosmetic centers around.