From the Guidelines
Applying a cold compress after laser hair removal is recommended to reduce discomfort, swelling, and redness, as supported by studies on cold air skin cooling in reducing pain and discomfort associated with nonablative laser procedures 1. When considering post-laser hair removal care, it's essential to prioritize methods that minimize side effects and promote comfort.
- Cold compresses can be applied for 10-15 minutes at a time, several times during the first 24-48 hours after treatment.
- It's crucial to wrap ice in a clean cloth or towel rather than applying it directly to the skin to prevent ice burns.
- Cold compresses work by constricting blood vessels, which reduces inflammation and numbs the area, providing pain relief, as seen in studies on cold air skin cooling 1.
- This cooling method is particularly helpful for sensitive areas like the face, bikini line, or underarms where discomfort may be more pronounced.
- If the treated area feels warm or appears red, you can continue using cold compresses until these symptoms subside.
- Avoid using very hot water, saunas, or steam rooms for at least 48 hours after treatment, as heat can worsen irritation and potentially cause hyperpigmentation in the treated areas. The use of cold air skin cooling has been supported by prospective, nonrandomized studies, which found it to be superior to ice gel analgesia in reducing pain and discomfort associated with nonablative laser procedures 1.
From the Research
Post-Laser Hair Removal Care
- The use of ice or cold compress after laser hair removal is not explicitly mentioned in the provided studies 2, 3, 4, 5, 6.
- However, cooling of the skin during treatment is mentioned as a method to reduce the incidence of adverse effects 2.
- The studies focus on the efficacy and safety of laser hair removal, as well as the different laser systems and devices used for the treatment 2, 3, 4, 5, 6.
- Adverse effects reported after laser-assisted hair removal include erythema and perifollicular edema, which are common, and crusting and vesiculation of treatment site, hypopigmentation and hyperpigmentation (depending on skin color and other factors) 2.
- Proper patient selection and tailoring of the fluence used to the patient's skin type remain the most important factors in efficacious and well-tolerated laser treatment 2.
Laser Hair Removal Efficacy and Safety
- The long-pulsed 755 nm alexandrite laser is a safe and efficacious treatment for the reduction of unwanted body hair with permanent results and high patient satisfaction 4.
- Laser hair removal has been explored as a potential treatment for hidradenitis suppurativa, with various laser modalities demonstrating significant improvement in disease severity 5.
- The literature supports the use of the alexandrite, diode, Nd:YAG and IPL devices for long-term hair removal 6.