Folliculitis After Laser Hair Removal Treatment

Laser hair removal is a way to get rid of unwanted hair that uses a strong laser or intense pulsed light (IPL). This light source stops hair growth by heating and killing hair follicles on the skin. However, laser hair removal methods have been reported to cause folliculitis. Are you interested in learning what folliculitis is? Folliculitis refers to the inflammation of hair follicles. It shows up as red pimples containing hair at their centers. These scars may include pus, which causes the skin to itch and burn. It is a common side effect of laser hair removal in men. Continue reading to discover more about folliculitis following laser hair removal, pus-filled bumps, and itchy bumps after laser hair removal. Keep reading!

How to Remove Dead Hair Follicles After Laser Hair Removal Treatment

When you use laser hair removal to get rid of hair on your body, you will lose hair. The hair is gradually getting thinner and falling out, which shows that the treatment is working. After waxing or shaving, the hair follicle remains intact, allowing for quick hair growth. Each laser hair removal treatment causes greater damage to the hair follicles until they are destroyed and the hair cannot regenerate.

Also, the hair will stay until the follicle can’t support it anymore, at which point it will fall out. This is called “shedding,” and it happens because you are only hurting the hair follicle and not the hair strands themselves. Shedding normally begins 7–14 days after laser hair removal and continues through all subsequent sessions until the hair is entirely eliminated to your satisfaction. This is because only hair follicles in the anagen (growth) stage are targeted by laser hair removal. Regular treatments make it more likely that you’ll hurt most hair follicles more than once, which will slow hair growth in the future because only a certain number of your hairs will be in the anagen phase at any given time.

However, you can speed up hair loss after laser hair removal by gently exfoliating your skin a few times a week. This can help you eliminate any dead skin cells that may be clogging your pores and causing your hair to stay glued to your skin even after it has been pulled out of the follicle. Additionally, the exfoliating process can pressure hairs barely holding onto their follicle, and gently persuade it to let go.

Before exfoliating after laser hair removal, wait until you notice the first hairs starting to fall out. We suggest doing this in the shower because it will speed up the process and let you get rid of all unwanted hair at once in a simple, controlled motion. Also, you shouldn’t exfoliate your skin often unless you know it won’t get hurt or irritated. Because of this, if you have sensitive skin, you should exfoliate less often and use products made for sensitive skin.

Pus-Filled Bumps After Folliculitis Laser Hair Removal Treatment

Acne may develop in the treatment region following your laser hair removal treatments. This adverse impact occurs when pores become clogged. Your skin will be vulnerable to these incredibly tiny infections since the heat from the laser opens up your pores. Like acne, they develop when dead skin cells and germs become trapped; while your body tries to expel them, they produce a pus-filled bubble.

Hence, by using an appropriate post-lasering therapy regimen, you can avoid this problem. Keep the space tidy. Avoid applying makeup, deodorant, or other cosmetics after sessions. As a result, the skin can “breathe” while it heals. Keep that “route” open so that the pores can remove debris.

If your doctor has prescribed any calming ointments or lotions to help with inflammation, keep using them. A triple-antibiotic cream can relieve acne if it still exists after laser hair removal. Most drugstores carry this kind of product over the counter. Your physician can help you decide which one you need (another reason to only use a doctor-led medical spa for any laser treatment). To prevent scarring, you shouldn’t pick or pop the acne lesions.

Also see: What You Need to Know About Laser Hair Removal

Itchy Bumps After Folliculitis Laser Hair Removal Treatment

The heat from the laser’s light will destroy your hair follicles as it touches your skin. Your skin’s surface will start to develop little red pimples due to this heat. Although this is a perfectly normal reaction, some people may find it frightening. Fortunately, the pimples will go away a day or two after your therapy.

Even though the pimples may itch, you must resist the urge to scratch. Scratching the skin will worsen the inflammation, causing excruciating pain and sometimes even scars. Use a cold compress on the region if the tiny red pimples bother you. Put a few ice cubes in a plastic bag to make an ice pack. Hold the bag against the afflicted skin for a few minutes while it is sealed. The ice will not only relieve any pain, but it will also reduce any swelling and redness.

Does Insurance Cover Laser Hair Removal for Folliculitis?

Yes, most insurance only pays for treatments and procedures that are medically essential. Therefore, if your hair problem is out of control, your insurance may pay for your hair removal costs. If you don’t want to spend much money, you can choose to have it covered by your insurance. However, how can you get laser hair removal for folliculitis reimbursed by insurance? As long as the following conditions are met, the procedure to remove hair may be partially or fully covered.

Most insurance providers view laser hair removal therapy as a cosmetic procedure rather than a medical emergency. As an illustration, folliculitis is an infection that appears inside the hair follicles. Since the follicles are destroyed or damaged during the therapy, the risk of infection goes down. This makes it a necessary medical procedure.

How to Treat Folliculitis After Laser Hair Removal Treatment

A home care regimen often helps with mild episodes of bacterial folliculitis. The following self-care tips may help relieve pain, speed up healing, and stop the infection from spreading:

Use a washcloth that is warm and wet: If necessary, repeat this many times daily to help the area drain and ease discomfort. Use a vinegar solution comprised of 1 tablespoon (17 grams) of white table vinegar and 1 pint (473 milliliters) of water to dampen the washcloth.

Use an over-the-counter antibiotic: Try one of the various anti-infection creams, gels, or washes that are sold over the counter in stores.

Use a calming cream or lotion: Use a soothing lotion or a hydrocortisone cream with no prescription to soothe itchy skin.

Wash the skin that is damaged: At least twice a day, gently wash the diseased skin with antibacterial soap or cleaner, such as benzoyl peroxide. Each time, use a fresh washcloth and towel; never exchange towels or washcloths. Wash these goods in hot, soapy water.

Take care of your skin: If you shave, make an effort to stop. The barber’s itch usually goes away after a few weeks of not shaving.

How Do You Treat Folliculitis After Laser Hair Removal?

1. Wash the affected region twice daily in warm water with antibacterial soap to remove the infection.

2. Apply warm salt water to your skin with a washcloth (1 teaspoon table salt to 2 cups water).

3. Apply over-the-counter antibiotics to your skin in the form of gels, lotions, and washes.

What Is the Fastest Way to Heal Folliculitis After Laser Hair Removal Treatment?

The following self-care tips may alleviate discomfort, hasten recovery, and prevent infection from spreading:

1. Apply a warm, wet washcloth first.

2. Use an over-the-counter antibiotic.

3. Apply a calming cream or lotion.

4. Scrub the harmed skin.

5. Keep the skin safe.

Conclusion

A common way to look better is to use a laser to get rid of unwanted hair. Lasers often cause problems, and these problems can happen in a wide range of tissues and are usually easy to treat. Folliculitis is one of the bad things that can happen after a treatment course. If precautions are taken, there will be no consequences, and each problem will have a specific solution

Folliculitis After Laser Hair Removal Treatment FAQs

Which hair removal process can cause folliculitis?

Pulling hair out of the follicle is the most frequent cause of folliculitis. The two most common ways to remove hair are waxing and tweezing. But any tool or method that pulls hair out of the follicle could damage the follicle and cause ingrown hairs.

How do you prevent folliculitis after hair removal?

To prevent rubbing and irritation, dress loosely. You should avoid fragrance products because they can irritate skin that is already sensitive. To lessen inflammation, use an over-the-counter corticosteroid cream on the waxed region.

Why do I keep getting folliculitis?

Folliculitis is often caused by an infection of the hair follicles with bacteria, most often Staphylococcus aureus (staph). Viruses, fungi, parasites, medicines, and physical trauma can all contribute to it. It happens that the cause is unknown.

Should you exfoliate folliculitis?

Germs are more prone to flourishing in congested pores. Using a chemical exfoliant to clean out your pores will help, but this could make folliculitis worse or make you more likely to get it.