More Ingrowns After Laser That Won't Go Away...

Hair Removal Methods Laser hair removal
#1

Hi All,

I have had a total of 6 laser treatments using an Alexandrite GentleMax laser on my lower legs over the course of 2 years (I stopped treatments for awhile).

I never used to have any issues with ingrowns prior to commencing laser treatments. The treatments were successful in that I have less hair on my lower legs and what is left is primarily fine hair that is much lighter in color (I have pale skin/black hair).

However, as I said, the laser treatments seemed to have caused tons of ingrowns. My last laser treatment was 3 months ago and I have no pepper spots left only the raised, red ingrowns all over. I went to an Electrologist last week- she did a test patch on my leg and said several of the bumps have finer, coiled dark hair stuck in them.

My questions are:

Does it appear that laser induced the ingrowns in me for some reason? If so, was it because the laser treatments were ineffective, the technician not experienced enough, do some people just have this side effect, etc?

Will Electrolysis be able to remove the ingrowns?

Thanks for any advice…

#2

I don’t know if laser caused your ingrowns but from my experience with LHR, it saved me from my ingrowns. My Chest and stomach were a mess of pimples caused by ingrown hairs after I tried waxing. When I started laser, it all went away after second treatment. And yes, an experienced electroligist will be able to remove your ingrowns successfully.

#3

Could you please post your photo here? You can use http://photobucket.com
Also, did an Electrologist use electrolysis on your ingrown bumps or did she just untrapped your hairs?

#4

Hi Ekade,

Unfortunately I cant locate my camera at the moment, but if I find it I will post a pic.

However, both a dermatologist that I saw recently as well as the Electrologist that I went to last week said the red/inflamed bumps all over appeared to be ingrown hairs. The electrologist (also an instructor so I’m hoping she is good) did a test patch on a few of the bumps via electrolysis (not just tweezing) and found what she considered damaged looking, very coiled/curly black hairs in each one (she showed them to me as well). The electrologist said considering I had never had this issue prior to LHR, don’t have curly hair, and the fact that the hairs appeared coiled and damaged/frayed that the likely cause was LHR.

I’m just hoping the electrologist can properly fix them all as they are unsightly and easily irritated/itch if I wear clothing that is too tight. At this point, I’d rather have delt with shaving every day than getting LHR if these things dont go away.

#5

Calamity,

I’m not quite sure how laser hair removal can cause your ingrowns. From my experience, it has helped to reduce them on my patients. Are the hairs that are ingrown, thick or thin?

Maybe you should try exfoliating your skin to help the hairs fall out instead of it getting stuck underneath the dermis and in turn infecting the hair follicles. The hairs that your electrolysis said was “coiled and damaged” seem to be because they are growing and since they have no outlet to grow out of, they grow and coil underneath your skin.

Let me know if that helps.

beautyrn

www.beautyrn.com

#6

I have the same problem, but electrolysis gave me nightmare ingrowns. I did not know that the laser can do the same! Now I DO recommend everybody who wants to have guaranteely beatiful skin on legs just to SHAVE their legs. It seems that all these LHR and electrolysis for legs have too many side-effects. Thank you for sharing your story.

#7

Hey! I know this is an older post, but I was wondering if you had found a way to heal your legs from the ingrowns. I’m having the same problem and have been fighting hideous legs for about 3 months. It’s literally ruining my life. I used to have smooth nice legs. Please let me know if you found a way to combat the ingrowns and how long it took. Thanks!

#8

Blbresh, was this with electrolysis or laser?

I’m wishing you good luck, but don’t have any answers myself…