Laser Hair Removal Burns: Risks, Causes & Prevention

Laser hair removal is an effective way to reduce and remove unwanted hair from the chin, back, armpits, upper lip and legs, among other areas. Lasers send a beam of light through the skin that heats up the hair follicle and destroys it. If the laser is set too high or the technician is inexperienced, serious burns can occur.

More Common

• Burns from laser hair removal are becoming more common as more people undergo the treatment and more untrained technicians perform the procedure. Technicians who are not experienced or qualified in the procedure are responsible for most of the burns, according to Docshop.com.

Blistering

• If you experience blistering after your laser hair removal treatment, you could have a burn. Serious burns experienced from laser hair removal have been second- or third-degree burns.

Second-Degree Burn

• A second-degree burn will have blisters, pain and redness. It can take three weeks to heal. You should see a doctor.

Third-Degree Burn

• A third-degree burn is the most serious, with charred white, leathery or brown skin. Skin grafts may be necessary, so see your doctor.

Darker Skin Burns More Easily

• People with darker skin tend to burn more often than light-skinned people because the laser is attracted to dark pigment and can heat up the skin instead of the hair.