You want silky smooth skin without unsightly razor bumps or ingrown hairs. But you’ve heard horror stories about laser hair removal leaving behind permanent scarring. So is it possible to safely achieve long-lasting hair removal without the risk of scarring?
At Ethos Spa, our experts are passionate about helping you unveil your best skin ever – free of unwanted hair and free of scars.
What is laser hair removal scarring?
Laser hair removal utilizes concentrated beams of light to target and damage the hair follicle beneath the skin’s surface, disabling the follicle’s ability to regrow hair. However, in some cases, the laser can damage the surrounding skin and cause scarring when it penetrates too deeply or with too much power for an individual’s skin type and thickness.
Scarring from laser hair removal can take several forms:
- Hypopigmented scars – Appear as white patches where pigment is permanently lost.
- Hyperpigmented scars – Discolored areas from too much melanin production.
- Atrophic scars – Indents in the skin from loss of collagen.
- Keloids – Raised overgrowths of scar tissue.
What factors can increase the risk of scarring from laser hair removal?
While modern lasers are quite safe when performed correctly, there are certain factors that can make scarring more likely:
| Factors Affecting Likelihood of Scarring in Laser Treatments | Description |
| High power settings | Using excessive energy levels for the treatment area/skin type can increase the risk of scarring. |
| Overlapping shots | Repeatedly zapping the exact same spot raises the risk of scarring. |
| Wrong wavelength | Using a wavelength not suited for your skin type can lead to scarring. |
| Inexperienced technician | Improper technique by an untrained operator can make scarring more likely. |
| Tanning | Darker pigment absorbs more laser energy, increasing the chance of skin damage and scarring. |
| Skin conditions | Active acne, eczema, and other conditions make the skin more vulnerable to scarring. |
| Anatomical areas | Delicate skin prone to scarring like the face and neck area. |
Our highly trained technicians carefully customize settings for your exact skin type and only treat small areas at a time to prevent overlapping. We use advanced lasers with multiple wavelength options for precision targeting of hair follicles while protecting surrounding tissues.
Are certain skin types more prone to scarring?
Yes, those with darker complexions have a higher risk of scarring from laser hair removal. The laser targets the melanin pigment in hair follicles, but may also absorb into melanin-rich skin more readily. This puts darker skin types III-VI at greater risk for burns, hyperpigmentation, and scarring.
Our specialists are specially trained in treating darker skin safely with appropriate wavelength selection, conservative fluence settings, and skin cooling techniques.
For fair skin, the risk stems from the potential for the laser to penetrate too deeply into the dermis. That’s why we always use conservative settings and single-pass treatments on lighter skin.
How can I prevent scarring from laser hair removal?
The key is finding an experienced laser hair removal provider who will take every precaution to avoid skin injury. Here are the top tips for preventing scarring:
- Seek a board-certified dermatologist or plastic surgeon for the procedure. Avoid budget salons with non-medical staff.
- Ensure they use conservative settings based on patch testing your skin. Avoid “maximum” power treatments.
- Treatments should be spaced 4-6 weeks apart. Frequent sessions don’t allow the skin to fully heal.
- Avoid tanning for 6 weeks pre and post treatment. Tanned skin is a scarring risk.
- Shave instead of waxing/tweezing between sessions. This reduces inflammation in hair follicles.
- Use prescribed hydrocortisone cream if irritation occurs after a treatment. Don’t wait for issues to worsen.
- Wear SPF 30+ daily on treated areas. Sun exposure heightens sensitivity.
- Work with someone who invests in the latest laser technology and cooling methods. This minimizes injury risk.
We refuse to take risks with overly aggressive settings or intervals. We only treat patients who follow our prep protocols to avoid preventable side effects.
While nothing in medicine is risk-free, choosing Ethos Spa’s experience and prudence will help you achieve your beauty goals while staying scar-free!
What treatments are available for laser hair removal scarring?
Options for improving the appearance of damaged skin include:
- Silicone sheets
- Steroid injections
- Laser resurfacing
- Microneedling
- Surgical excision
- Skin grafts
Does laser hair removal worsen existing keloids?
Extra precautions are needed, but with proper pre-treatment and conservative settings, laser hair removal can often be performed safely even on those prone to keloids.
Does laser hair removal lighten or darken existing scars?
Laser hair removal should not significantly lighten or darken most ordinary scars. However:
- Removing hair follicles in a scar may make it appear lighter
- New, pink scars under a year old could potentially develop hyperpigmentation
- The inflammatory process may worsen dark discoloration of existing keloids
Can laser hair removal be done over existing scars?
In most cases, yes. Mature, pale scars that are at least one year old are generally safe to treat.
What hair removal methods don’t cause scars?
Unfortunately, any hair removal technique carries some risk for certain individuals. But options like shaving, depilatories, tweezing and IPL are generally low-risk for most people.
Conclusion
At Ethos Spa, your satisfaction and safety is our top priority. With our specialists, protocols, and technology, you can achieve smooth skin without trauma or scarring. Contact us today to schedule your personalized consultation.
