Does laser hair removal help acne?
Although it is not a cure, facial laser hair removal treatment can in some cases help with acne.
Acne causes inflammation and irritation due to pores becoming blocked due to excess oil production. They may also notice that oil accumulates quicker on the skin around thicker hairs. Some people who have excess facial hair may find that when they remove their hair by traditional methods (shaving, tweezing, waxing, electrolysis etc) they suffer from breakouts a few days later. When hair is removed from the follicle the small opening on the surface of the skin remains open for a period of a few hours. In this time frame, the skin below is susceptible to irritants and bacteria. Follicles may become infected if proper after-care is not followed. When undergoing a course of laser treatment hair will reduce after each treatment. This, in turn, lessens the need to remove facial hair on a regular basis. Because of this, the likelihood of experiencing these breakouts is decreased.
There is a specific wavelength of laser that can treat acne. It uses blue light which is very effective at reducing the amount of P. acnes bacteria on the skin. This laser emits a different wavelength of energy that targets and kills this bacteria and this can be a very effective treatment to control acne. Treatments with this laser can be done on a regular basis and a course of 6-8 treatments may be required to see results. Laser hair removal works on a different wavelength so will not have the same impact.
Does laser hair removal make the skin on your face break out?
Breakouts on the face may happen after laser hair removal treatment. Especially after the first couple of sessions when the hair is at it’s thickest. This effect reduces dramatically after 2-3 sessions.
There are things that you can do before and after your treatment to prevent this from happening
- Use a clean, sharp razor to shave the night before treatment
- Apply aloe vera only to your skin after you remove your hair
- Don’t touch your skin directly after treatment
- Don’t apply makeup or any skincare products after treatment
- Exfoliate lightly 3-4 days after your session to help the shedding process of treated hairs
- Change your pillowcase regularly
- Don’t go to the gym, sauna or swimming pool or do anything that might cause you to sweat excessively
- Do not pick or squeeze your skin as this may cause long term damage to your skin
Does laser make acne worse?
Laser hair removal may make acne worse initially, especially if hairs in the treated area are thick and coarse. If you don’t follow the guidelines put in place after treatment this is likely. After treatment, your follicles will be sensitive from the laser. If you apply a layer of makeup or moisturisers these may irritate this skin and cause a breakout. After 2-3 sessions hair will become much lighter, finer and will grow at a much slower rate. Skin will heal at a much quicker rate and the heat from the laser will not affect the skin as much. If proper aftercare procedures are followed these effects can definitely be kept to a minimum. Laser hair removal does help acne in some cases and may make this condition improve over time.
If you have any further questions regarding laser hair removal and acne, please do not hesitate to contact us. Our dedicated team of hair removal specialists are on hand to answer any of your questions.
