Milia, which are small, white bumps, may appear in the laser-treated areas during healing (up to a month after treatment). These may be removed by gentle cleansing with a washcloth. Hyperpigmentation, and more rarely, hypopigmentation, may result in the laser-treated areas.
Why do patients get pimples after a laser hair removal procedure? You get pimples after laser hair removal because the heat of the laser machine opens up the pores of your skin, allowing debris to clog and create tiny infections which turn into pimples.
Your skin may look inflamed for several months following ablative laser treatment. Acne. Applying thick creams and bandages to your face after treatment can worsen acne or cause tiny white bumps to form for a short time. These bumps also are called milia.
During the same period, many patients experience milia or fine “whiteheads.” The patient should be reassured that these usually spontaneously disappear.
The treated skin will look red and swollen. Small white dots will be visible from the laser treatment. These appear where the laser hit the skin and are normal. You will be discharged with a light coat of anti-bacterial cream.
People with sensitive skin may experience bumps, itching, and redness after hair removal. The powerful laser light can intensify this reaction. Lasers can trigger breakouts in acne-prone skin due to shifts in oil production, leading to new acne on cheeks, jawline, back, and other treated areas.
Rarely, skin pigment may absorb too much light energy and blistering can occur. Sometimes the pigment cells (melanocytes) can be damaged leaving darker or paler patches of skin. White patches or scars are rarely permanent.
Up to a few weeks after treatment, your skin will develop stubble or blackheads as a part of the shedding process that happens from hairs that were partially grown at the time of the procedure. Exfoliation during this period aids the shedding and diminishes the blackhead or stubble appearance.
The Healing Process after Laser Treatment
As the skin heals, new collagen is produced, resulting in smoother, more youthful-looking skin. The healing process after laser treatment typically occurs in three stages: inflammation, proliferation, and remodeling.
When you use your nails to apply a lot of pressure to your skin to pop a whitehead, you can cause inflammation. You may scar your skin. You can seriously damage your skin if you apply too much pressure. If your whiteheads are deep in your skin, you may not even extract them.
Risks / Benefits
Acne flares may occur after laser resurfacing. This may resolve on its own, or can be treated with conventional acne therapies. Hyperpigmentation, and more rarely, hypopigmentation, may result in the laser-treated areas.
Milia, which are small, white bumps, may appear in the laser-treated areas during healing (up to a month after treatment). These may be removed by gentle cleansing with a washcloth.
We recommend CeraVe Face Moisturizer. DO NOT apply makeup to the treated area until your skin has been reevaluated by the physician. DO NOT put any other creams or lotions on the skin except for the CeraVe Face Moisturizer.
Skin Irritation – Laser treatment can irritate the skin, leading to inflammation and redness. This irritation can sometimes trigger acne-like breakouts, especially in individuals with sensitive skin.
After the fractional CO2 laser procedure, you should apply sunscreen to protect your skin from the sun's harmful rays. Do make sure to also use a gentle cleanser and moisturizer twice a day and avoid any harsh products. It's best to limit the use of makeup products as well because they can irritate the skin even more.
Clogged pores can develop when the sebum cannot reach the surface of the skin and gets stuck. As more sebum builds up behind the clogged pores, whiteheads appear. Other causes include diet, perspiration, and reactions to certain skin care products and fabrics.
Individuals up to their 50s benefit greatly from laser fractional resurfacing treatments. Skin concerns like sun damage and deeper wrinkles are common in this age group.
Use cold compresses: Applying cold compresses during the first 24 to 48 hours after your treatment can help reduce swelling and discomfort. Stay cool: Avoid hot showers, saunas, and strenuous exercise for the first few days after treatment. Heat can increase inflammation and slow healing.
Months 2-6. The magic of collagen rebuilding becomes more apparent in the months following the procedure. Patients often observe a tighter and smoother skin texture as the newly stimulated collagen continues to develop. The skin feels rejuvenated, and the results become increasingly noticeable.
After your laser hair removal sessions, acne may appear on the treatment area. This side effect happens when pores get clogged. Since the heat of the laser opens up your pores, your skin will be sensitive to these very tiny infections.
As more of this detritus collects and the pore remains clogged, it can dilate in size due to its packed contents. Prolonged exposure to the air causes the blockage to oxidize and darken. Because the pore gets stretched out of shape, it will fill back up again even after it is emptied.
The skin is usually sensitive after laser hair removal, and squeezing can cause further irritation and redness. Instead of squeezing, it's best to allow the hair follicles to shed naturally over time. This can take up to 10-14 days.
Thankfully, IPL works to remove the excess oil and dead skin cells that clog pores and contribute to breakouts. If you're suffering from severe or cystic acne, a dermatologist is your best bet. But IPL is a winning weapon to help battle blackheads, whiteheads, and pimples.
Sensitive skin types may be more prone to blistering and scarring, especially if high-intensity settings are used. Starting with lower intensity and gradually increasing it can help.
Those bumps are frequently due to the skin glands being over stimulated by the laser which causes localized irritation and inflammation. The bumps look like milia or white heads. the bumps usually resolve themselves in a few days.