Perhaps the most serious risk of facial hair removal using lasers is damage to the eye. If a stray pulse of light were to enter the eye it could damage the retina and potentially lead to blindness. In order to minimize this risk, every person in the room during the procedure is required to wear protective eye gear. These specialized sunglasses must block most light energy, especially the wavelength of light that is created by the laser.

 

Damage to the skin is the second most serious risk. Laser hair removal can cause various degrees of skin damage, depending on skin type as well as the duration and intensity of the laser pulse used. While it is normal for the skin to become reddened and slightly swollen after laser hair removal, significant skin breakdown, burning and scarring could occur. In patients that are particularly susceptible to keloid formation, special care must be taken to avoid skin damage. In fact, patients prone to forming keloid scars may opt for other hair removal procedures.

 

Patients who are being treated for certain diseases and with certain medications need to be particularly careful about laser hair removal. Anyone being treated with Accutane or similar light-sensitizing drugs may need to stop treatment up to six months in advance of laser hair removal. Also, anyone with a history of herpes may need to take antiviral medicine prior to and after the procedure. If significant skin breakdown occurs, the possibility for skin infection exists.