laser hair removal

[llenda]

My husband had laser hair removal about two weeks ago to his beard.  He developed folliculitis.  The folliculitis is now cleared up and the hair on his beard is very patchy.  The skin under the hair seems to be lighter than the skin that has no hair.  Is this b/c the skin without hair is still healing and will blend in eventually or is it going to stay this way.  Also, this was the first treatment.  Will hair grow back in these spots that have no hair.  After this first laser treatment, my husbands face was full of scabs and was swollen (it looked like he had his wisdom teeth pulled out).  We have been to two Dermatologists and both say they think he will be fine, but we are afraid they are not telling us everything.  Was this a normal reaction for this type of procedure?  The swelling and scabs?

[loiloi]

Did your husband have a consultation and skin analysis done at the clinic before having treatment? They also should have done a patch test and given specific instructions regarding which products he should or shouldn't use before and after treatment. He could have had a histamine response to the therapy. Permanent removal of hair usually takes more than one session so i would have faith in the dermatologists who told you the hair and skin will be fine after this trauma. Does the laser clinic offer an after-care service? He should definately make them aware of his bad reaction. Loiloi x

[BhumikaMD]

Hi,

These symptoms are temporary after effects of the laser therapy.

They will gradually resolve with time.

It is important to avoid sun exposure, use a good medicated sun screen at all times.

The sweling and the scabs should subside in some time, you could apply some ice over the area to help soothe the site.

If the symptoms still persist consult your dermatologist again.

Do let us know how he is doing .

Hope this helps.

Good luck.

[llenda]

Thanks for the replies.  It has been like two and a half weeks since the procedure.  It was kind of a last minute decision for him to do this.  He went to one session of electrolysis and it seemed like it would probably take forever ,and he was concerned that it was not a doctor doing it; so, since he had the time off, he decided to do the laser hair removal.  This doctor did not do a patch test, but he did talk to him for a while before he did the procedure.  My husband is so upset that he didn't research more before doing this.  The doctor was very defensive when we called him and then tried to talk him out of a refund for the other three treatments he paid for.  In the end, the doctor was very apologetic and seemed concerned.  My husband's face is pretty much healed except for some hyperpigmentation around his mouth where he broke-out really bad with folliculitis.  He also has on one side of the cheek, little reddish spots where he broke-out with like ingrown hairs, which he does not usually get.  His other worry was that on one side of his face the hair that is left is kind of distributed evenly while the other side has like stripes of smooth hairless skin with big patches of skin with wiskers.  The skin under the wiskers appears lighter and he is so scared it will not blend.  I don't know what to tell him anymore.  He is getting really depressed about it.  Don't worry about the sun b/c he won't even go outside.  He thinks he looks terrible.  It does not look that bad to me.  Anyway, he has now taken off another two weeks from work.  I just really hope this is enough time for him to feel comfortable.  Thanks so much, and please let us know if you have any recommendations.