There’s no other body hair removal method that can match laser hair removal’s painless and effective quality. Compared to waxing, Brazilian laser hair removal results in smooth skin with long-term hair reduction benefits. However, risks and side effects, such as allergic or histamine reactions aren’t completely unavoidable with laser treatments.
So what should you do if you had rashes or hives all over your body right after your Brazilian laser hair removal treatment? Hives and rash after your laser hair removal treatment occur in very rare instances and are treated like how allergies would normally be treated so it’s best to immediately seek the assistance of a qualified healthcare provider for this.
What Does it Mean if I Have Rashes All Over My Body After Brazilian Laser Hair Removal?
Allergic reactions, such as urticaria or hives, after a Brazilian laser hair removal procedure occur in extremely rare cases, but it’s still important to properly communicate your medical history with your laser technician.
Urticaria or hives are severe, itchy rashes on areas that respond to allergic reactions as a result of sensitive skin reactions. These areas that are typically affected by rash are the legs, groin, armpit, forearms, and upper lip. These rashes commonly had red or purple color and were often in a circular shape.
Other hair removal procedures, like waxing or shaving, are more likely to cause allergic reactions, manifestations of skin irritation, or other hazardous results (i.e, razor burn) than laser hair removal. Nevertheless, it’s still a possible side effect of laser hair removal procedures, especially for those patients who already suffer from allergies such as eczema, asthma, or hay fever.
Furthermore, researchers examined a database containing details of all individuals who had laser hair removal at Spanish beauty clinics during a 4-year period. In total, 36 people out of 13,284 underwent laser hair removal and experienced hives within 4 to 6 hours of receiving treatment.
What Should I Do if I Had Brazilian Laser Hair Removal Now Have Rashes All Over My Body?
If you have any signs of an allergic reaction such as hives, simply be calm about it and immediately seek the help of a healthcare provider. If you’re already prone to allergies and decided to push through with the treatment, it’s also best to prepare and expect hives to appear even before it does.
Depending on your doctor’s recommendations, you may opt to completely discontinue the succeeding treatment sessions in case of severe hives.
After you immediately remediate any allergic reactions, you can do the recommended steps for a faster recovery period and reduced itching sensation. Depending on the extent of the allergic reaction, you can also ask your healthcare provider if any follow-up appointments for the treatment of your hives are recommended.
How to Speed Up Recovery Period from Hives
Simply following aftercare instructions are enough for faster recovery from any allergic reactions such as hives. Take note of the following to reduce your recovery period and healing time from hives:
- Relax, stress worsens outbreak of hives and rash
- Wear loose clothing
- Avoid sun exposure, even if your bikini area is covered
- Diligently apply topical creams recommended by your provider
- Ensure proper intake of any prescribed medication to reduce rash and itching
How to Reduce Itching
Individuals who developed allergic reactions were usually given corticosteroid tablets to treat the itching and visible hives on their skin. Aside from that, you should also apply a cold compress or any topical creams (i.e, calamine lotion) as recommended by your provider for itching relief.
When Do I Need to See a Doctor?
At the first signs of any allergic reactions after your Brazilian laser hair removal, immediately seek the help of a medical professional to avoid any severe adverse reactions.
It’s also ideal that you take photos of your hives so you can see if your skin condition is improving or worsening. If you don’t see any improvement in your rashes and hives, consult a healthcare provider for better advice and treatment.
How Long Do Hives Last After Brazilian Laser Hair Removal?
The rashes or hives usually subside within 7 to 30 days after intake of corticosteroid tablets over a prescribed period of time.
How to Avoid Hives on Your Next Brazilian Laser Hair Removal Session
Healthcare providers recommend taking a patch test for allergic patients, at least 24 to 48 hours before their Brazilian laser hair removal session. Taking corticosteroid tablets for 3 days prior to the treatment session was also reported as an effective preventive step to avoid allergic reactions after the treatment. Some patients who developed hives every Brazilian laser hair removal treatment session reportedly experience hives that become less severe over time.
How Safe and Effective is Brazilian Laser Hair Removal?
Treatments like laser hair removal work by using laser energy to inflict damage on the hair follicle to an irreparable extent to reduce and weaken hair growth. Because the treatment targets hair follicles based on pigmentation, the effectiveness of Brazilian hair removal procedures usually depends on the skin color and hair color.
Laser energy is generally more responsive to a darker skin tone so individuals having such may have more pain-sensitive skin or skin irritation compared to people who have light skin. Despite that, laser hair removal procedures are still more effective and painless compared to shaving and waxing. You’d be surprised how this procedure reduces excessive sweating.
The impact of laser light technology applied to your skin will only affect the superficial layers of the skin to eliminate hair up to its root, which is why it’s generally safe and instances of hives are extremely rare.
Unlike hives which is an uncommon side effect of Brazilian laser hair removal, the following are the common side effects of this hair removal method:
- Redness
- Scarring
- Skin crusting
- Mild swelling
- Slight redness and temporary irritation
- Changes in skin texture
- Changes in skin pigmentation
- Stimulation of hair growth
Despite the above side effects being common, Brazilian laser hair removal is relatively low risk compared with other hair removal methods.
Post-Treatment Care for Brazilian Laser Hair Removal
The post-treatment care required when you have a Brazilian laser hair removal session may include the following:
- Don’t do any other hair removal options such as waxing, scratching, or using tweezers on the treatment area.
- Don’t use other hair removal topical medication such as a depilatory cream.
- Don’t rub the treatment area within 48 hours following your treatment session.
- Gentle cleansing of the treated area with mild soap.
- Gently exfoliate after 5 days up to 30 days following your treatment session to speed up hair shedding.
- Apply ice in the treated area to reduce any burning sensation or mild discomfort.
- Treat crusting on the treatment area with topical antibiotic cream.
- Apply antibiotic cream on the treatment area recommended by your physician to treat any signs of crusting and reduce skin irritation.
- Reduce full-body exposure to extensive heat and sunlight for at least 2 months to avoid skin irritation and reduce redness.
Achieve Flawlessness in Your Bikini Area with Brazilian Hair Removal Treatments at Ethos Spa
Brazilian laser hair removal is the most effective and painless way to eliminate unwanted hair up to the ingrown hair in the bikini area, but it’s not without adverse effects. Rarely, allergic reactions such as urticaria and hives may result from Brazilian laser hair removal treatments.
The good news is that hives can be avoided or reduced through proper communication with your laser technician and adequate preparation.
At Ethos Spa, we offer safe, affordable, and effective permanent hair removal, permanent hair reduction, waxing, and body hair removal laser treatment procedures that suit all skin types, hair colors, and skin tones (even a darker skin tone). We also offer plastic surgery services and minimally invasive cosmetic surgery services that are perfect for you.
Book your Brazilian laser treatment and bikini laser hair removal appointment now at Ethos Spa.
