What are the side effects of laser for the face? Why may some resort to the use of laser treatment for the face and skin? You can find the most important information and details in the following article.
In the following, let us learn about the damages of laser to the face and some information regarding the uses of lasers for the skin.
Laser side effects
Before you start using lasers to treat various skin problems, you must first realize the potential laser damage to the face. Here is a list of the most prominent ones:
1. Changes in skin color
In some cases, the use of laser beams of different types on the skin may lead to the appearance of pigmentation or changes in skin color, and these changes are usually classified into two categories, as follows:
Dark pigmentation in which the skin color becomes darker than the normal skin color.
Light pigmentation in which the skin color becomes lighter than the color of the surrounding skin.
This type of pigmentation often appears several weeks after undergoing laser skin treatment, and this type of laser damage to the face may be permanent in some patients, especially those with dark skin. [Reference]
2. The emergence of milia (milia)
One of the possible laser damage to the face is the appearance of very small pimples on the surface of the skin called milia, and these milia may appear during the recovery period of the skin from laser treatment, but it is often temporary and the skin recovers quickly from it within a period that may take a month.
3. Damage to the eye area
Some types of powerful lasers, such as those used in facial hair removal operations, may cause damage to the eyes. If eye protection tools are not used during the laser session, the person may be subject to various injuries to the eyes, such as: eyelid reversal.
4. Itching and redness
One of the damages of laser to the face and skin is that it may cause a number of complications to appear in the treated area of the skin, such as the following:
Redness may be severe in some cases, and in some cases it may result from aggravation and irritation of certain skin problems due to the use of the laser, such as: rosacea.
Swelling that may last for several hours or days, in addition to itching of the skin in some cases.
5. Infection and infection
Lasers may cause some fungal or viral skin infections, or they may cause some types of infections and infections, such as: the herpes virus that causes cold sores.
6. Exposure to burns and scars
In some cases, laser beams can cause burns and scars on the skin, especially in the following cases:
Undergoing laser sessions for a non-specialist.
Using wrong techniques or undergoing treatments that use a laser with high temperatures that are not suitable for the skin.
The failure of the person who underwent the laser treatment to follow the instructions and advice that is supposed to be applied after the laser sessions.
7. Other laser damage to the face
Facial lasers may have many other potential harms, such as
Softness, discomfort and pain in the treated area.
The appearance of crusts on the surface of the skin.
Exacerbation of some skin problems, such as: acne and scars.
Simple bleeding.
How can you avoid laser damage to the face?
To reduce the chances of damage during the laser treatment in the facial area, try to adhere to these guidelines and tips:
Quit smoking before starting laser sessions.
Take some types of antibiotics that your doctor may prescribe for you during the days before and after surgery, to reduce your chances of getting any infections.
Stop taking some types of supplements or medications after consulting your doctor, or stop using some types of ointments before and after treatment sessions until the doctor allows you to use them again, such as: vitamin E supplements, aspirin, and retinoid ointments.
Avoid exposure to the sun as much as possible, especially without taking the necessary protective measures that may help reduce the chances of developing potential sun damage.
Tell your doctor your medical history, including any illnesses and health problems you have and the medications you take.
Refer to the doctor without delay in the event of any signs or indications that may indicate infection.
Carefully follow the doctor''s instructions after each laser treatment session.
Benefits and uses of laser for skin
After you have learned about the damages of laser to the face, let us review the most prominent benefits of laser and its uses for the skin:
1. Get rid of excess hair
Some types of laser beams help to get rid of excess hair and prevent it from re-growing excessively, which may be especially useful for people with excessive hair growth, and the person needs to undergo several sessions over several consecutive months to obtain the desired results.
2. Improve the appearance of scars and wrinkles
Some types of lasers are used to improve the appearance of wrinkles and scars or even to renew skin cells that may have been damaged by the sun''s rays.
While some laser techniques work to regenerate skin cells by removing the surface layer of damaged skin cells, other techniques improve the appearance of the skin without causing any damage to its surface layers.
3. Lightening skin pigmentation and getting rid of tattoos
Some types of laser beams lighten the skin color in the affected areas with some types of pigmentation, such as: pigmentation that may be in the form of birthmarks, or freckles, and the laser can also help lighten or get rid of some types of tattoos.
