Laser burns and/or bruising

Hair Removal Methods Laser hair removal
#1

Hi Everyone,

I’ve been reading up on these forums for some time now and i decided to register and share my hairy tales with you as well.

I’m 24 years old, Armenian, fair skin and with lots of thick black hair on my face, underarms, breasts, legs, bikini, stomach, and buttocks. I also have dark fuzz wherever i don’t have coarse hair. So basically, i’m covered <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Having graduated form college, felt it was time to begin my war against unwanted hair. Until now, i waxed, shaved, and plucked, but the pain of that as well as the numemorus ingrown hairs and skin irritations were bothersome to the point where i can’t wear skirts, much less swim suits.

In the past three months i had 2 GentleLASE treatments on my face (14joules, 15mm and 18mm), 1 treatment on my underarms and tummy (14joules, 18mm), and 1 recent treatment on my thighs (14joules, 15mm). The face and underams seem to be progressing pretty well. Although it’s too early to say whether there is improvement or not, the shedding has been complete and regrowth is slow.

For the laser treatment on my thighs i saw a dermatologist/laser practicioner in Beverly Hills and unfortunately i seem to have burned slightly. During the treatment i was in a lot of pain, but the doctor said that the closer i was to my pain threshold the better. Also, occassionaly i felt that he was zapping the same area twice, which is when it hurt like an elephant. Some of the superficial burns are starting to peel now, i just hope that they go away since the last thing i need is for my skin to look worse than it already does.

Has anyone experienced anything similar during and after laser treatments? It would be great to hear some feedback, since i don’t know yet where to draw the line between a normal reaction and burns and bruising.

I’ll be seeing the doctor later this week, so i’ll update you on what happens. I am also getting electrolysis done on my bikini area, which is going really well.

Thanks for reading, i’d love to hear your stories and comments!

#2

I get the same reaction on my thighs too! I’ve had two treatments on my full legs with a GentleLASE laser. The pigmentation fades away slowly, but I use a cream that contains 2% hydroquinone (skin lightener) which helps. Also, I’ve been seeing a Beverly Hills laser doctor.

#3

Hi OhGodWhyMe,

That’s good to know, thank you… from reading your previous posts, i think we are seeing the same doctor (Babapour).

#4

I’ve used the same doctor as well <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Some areas react worse than others. Were your thighs more tanned than the other areas? did you expose them to the sun recently? that might have had an effect. i would definitely let the doctor know. peeling should not be happening. that’s a sign of a slight burn. marks will go away. do use the cream that ohgodwhyme suggested. but make sure to let the doctor knwo this happened and make sure to stay away from the sun on that area.

#5

Is there a brand name for 2% hydroquinone? Is that something I can get at a local pharmacy without prescription?

thanks

#6

Hi Dooda,

I’ve talked to Dr. Babapour about the burns and buising, and he’s not quite sure why they happen. Since I’ve shown him the burns and bruises, he won’t go higher than 16 joules on me, but I still get results/shedding.

The bruises go away within a week. The burns are like a sun burn (first degree burn), but the skin doesn’t really peel; for me it’s more like flaking off.

I haven’t worn shorts or a swim suit in years, so my legs are never exposed to the sun. I’m not quite sure why I get the burns and bruising, but dr. Babapour and I have ideas: my skin is too sensitive in some areas, I have veins/capillaries that break/bruise easily, since it takes me almost an hour to drive home after my treatment heat is trapped in my pants causing burns, etc.

Dr. Babapour gives me ice packs to put them on those areas right after my treatment, but that still doesn’t seem to help.

I’ve also been getting my butt lasered and have had no problems with bruising and burning on that area.

#7

Hi Adam,

For the first few days after my treatment I use Phyto Corrective Gel. It contains natural alternative ingredients to hydroquinone. I use it first because it’s much more calming and soothing for the first few days on my sensitive skin.

After that I use Nadinola. It contains 2% hydroquinone, and I bought it at my local beauty store BU-BA for $7.99.

I don’t think you can buy hydroquinone products at drugstores. You can buy hydroquinone products at most beauty stores like Sephora http://www.sephora.com/search/search_res…%2Fnavbar.jhtml or online: http://www.bizrate.com/skincareproducts/…1__sfsk–3.html

If you wanted a more potent bleaching cream like 4% hydroquinone, then you would need a prescription.

Hope this helped. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

#8

You can get 4% hydroquinone online without a prescription through Canadian pharmacies.

#9

Thanks everyone,

I talked to him today and he isn’t sure why it happened but it’s probably due to the same reasons as you, OhGodWhyMe - very sensitive skin in that area. He gave me some creams to put on my thighs. I haven’t been in the sun for years as well (in a bathing suit or skirts even) but now i’ll take extra precaution with these sensitive areas.

#10

Hi Dooda,

What kind of cream did he give you? Did you have to pay for it?

#11

He gave me a bag of samples with Eucerin Plus Intensive Repair Hand Cream, Eucerin Calming Cream, Aquaphor healing ointment, and Cetaphil Moisturizing Lotion. I didn’t have to pay since they are all samples. I put some on yesterday and i thnk it’s good to keep it up to keep the skin soft and moisturized, although i don’t think any of those creams are a remedy for the slights burns & pigmentation i got. That should hopefully go away by itself.