If you have eczema, attempting to get rid of unwanted body and facial hair the wrong way can make things worse. Laser hair removal can provide a simpler, less aggravating solution. Here’s what you need to know before seeking treatment. 

Overview of Laser Hair Removal

Laser hair removal is an easy method to get rid of unwanted hair for both men and women, with lasting results. 

During treatment, light emitted from a special laser device hits melanin in the hair and follows it down to the follicle. This causes the hair to fall out. Over time, repeated laser treatments cause microscopic damage to the hair follicle, disabling its ability to grow new hair. 

Many people enjoy the results of laser hair removal for years with only minimal upkeep. They no longer have to shave, tweeze, pluck, wax, or use depilatory creams. The result is significant, long-lasting hair reduction without the hassle.

What Is Eczema?

Eczema, also known as atopic dermatitis, is a group of inflammatory skin conditions. These conditions cause symptoms like dry, itchy skin, red patches, blisters, and weeping rashes. 

Atopic dermatitis often begins in childhood, but it persists in many adults and can have adult onset. Many people experience ongoing cycles between chronic flare-ups and remissions. Certain triggers can also irritate their eczema and make it flare up unexpectedly.

Eczema Symptoms

Everyone’s experience with eczema is unique, but common symptoms include:

  • Skin that becomes dry, scaly, cracked, and/or rough to the touch.
  • Intense itching that is difficult to alleviate with over-the-counter products.
  • Patches that appear red on white skin, or brown or ashen on darker skin. 
  • Painful blisters that ooze fluid, crack open, and crust over again and again.
  • Skin that thickens and becomes leathery over time (lichenification).

These symptoms worsen during a flare-up and get better during remission. 

Eczema Triggers

There are dozens, possibly hundreds of potential triggers for eczema. Common factors include (but aren’t limited to):

  • Soaps, detergents, fragrances, or even specific fabrics that act as skin irritants.
  • Pollen, dust mites, pet dander, and certain foods that promote an allergic reaction.
  • Weather changes and exposure to pollutants. 
  • Sweating and/or exposure to too much heat or sunlight.
  • Stress (can both cause and worsen flare-ups).
  • Hormonal fluctuations (especially for women who are menstruating or pregnant).

A trigger can kick-start a flare-up or make an existing one worse, but avoiding triggers can be difficult or even impossible. 

How Eczema Affects Your Skin

Eczema attacks your skin’s barrier function, diminishing its ability to keep your skin hydrated and allowing irritants into your pores.

This causes inflammation, resulting in redness, swelling, and soreness, and increased sensitivity to external stimuli. When left untreated, eczema can disrupt your daily life with constant symptoms. It can even lead to secondary infections from bacteria entering through broken skin.

Eczema is not considered curable. Individuals can achieve varying levels of success managing their symptoms using moisturizers, topical steroids, and lifestyle modifications. This means that any skin-based procedure, including laser hair removal, must be undertaken with caution and an informed approach.

The Relationship Between Laser Hair Removal and Eczema

If you have eczema, you are probably wondering if laser hair removal is safe for you. Let’s dive in. 

Can Individuals With Eczema Undergo Laser Hair Removal?

For people with eczema, laser hair removal isn’t out of the question — but timing is everything. You don’t want to irritate your skin when you’re in the middle of a flare-up. If you’re currently in remission and the area that you’re considering doesn’t have blisters, breaks in the skin, or visible irritation, you can probably schedule a session.

Potential Benefits and Risks

The benefits of laser hair removal for people with eczema hinge on the fact that over time, laser hair removal can mostly or completely disable treated follicles. This means no more irritation or breakouts caused by shaving or waxing your skin. 

The risks associated with laser hair removal and eczema center around the potential for irritation caused by the laser itself. If you have laser treatment done while your skin is undergoing an active flare-up, you can make things worse. If you turn out to be particularly sensitive to laser treatment, you could trigger a new flare-up due to the heat or irritation caused by the laser. 

Precautions and Preparations

Before scheduling your first session, do your research and plan to make sure your laser hair removal treatment goes as smoothly as your skin. 

Dermatologist Consultation 

It’s recommended that you talk to your dermatologist and get their professional opinion on whether or not laser hair removal would be right for you. At the very least, you’ll need to get a test pulse done first to confirm that the laser won’t cause a flare-up. 

Pre-Treatment Skin Care

Be careful to avoid all known irritants before your session, and make sure that your skin isn’t inflamed in the area where hair will be removed. If you’re on any sort of oral or injectable medication or have been applying topical ointments, check with both your dermatologist and your nurse at SEV to see if you need to pause any of them.

Post-Treatment Care

After your session, you’ll want to be especially careful with your skin. The effects of the laser can irritate for a few days after treatment. Apply soothing creams as recommended by your nurse and your dermatologist. If you experience a flare-up after your laser treatment, a topical corticosteroid may be used. Lastly, wear an approved sunscreen for sensitive skin. Sun protection is especially important following laser hair removal, so don’t neglect it. 

You should also steer clear of hot baths and jacuzzis, and refrain from taking medicated baths for at least 24 to 72 hours. If you have known eczema triggers, do your best to avoid them while your skin is vulnerable. 

Alternatives to Laser Hair Removal for Sensitive Skin

If laser hair removal won’t work for you, there are other hair removal methods suitable for eczema-prone skin.

Depilatory Creams

Some depilatory creams are mild enough for people with eczema. However, many depilatory products contain chemicals that can irritate your skin and cause an eczema flare. Always do a patch test first and never leave the cream on your skin too long.

Waxing

Waxing can work for some people with eczema, especially if their hair is fine and sparse. This option is best when restricted to areas like eyebrows and armpits with no flares. However, the wax and technique used can lead to flare-ups. If you choose waxing, have it done by a professional with eczema experience. 

Shaving

Shaving gives you more control over the process, but it can cause microabrasions or break the skin, leading to a secondary infection like staph. If you choose to shave, use a new, high-quality blade every time and shave with the grain, not against it. 

Frequently Asked Questions About Laser Hair Removal For Eczema

Can Laser Hair Removal Help Eczema?

Laser hair removal is unlikely to help eczema, although some patients with follicular eczema (which causes swelling of the hair follicle) report that their skin improved after laser treatments. Every individual is different.

Can I Get Laser Hair Removal If I Have Eczema?

You can definitely try laser hair removal if you have eczema. Just make sure to do a patch test and don’t attend sessions when your skin is actively flaring up. 

Can Laser Hair Removal Cause Eczema?

Laser hair removal doesn’t cause eczema, but it can trigger a flare-up. That’s why it’s important to consult with professionals, including your dermatologist, before proceeding with treatment.

Is Laser Hair Removal Safe For Eczema?

It all depends on the individual. If your dermatologist thinks it will work for you, and you follow all the precautions, there is a good chance you’ll have a safe experience and can enjoy the benefits of laser hair removal.

A Provider You Can Trust

If you have eczema, there’s no sure way to know if laser hair removal will work for you. However, that doesn’t mean it’s not worth a shot. With enough treatments, you can enjoy smoother, less inflamed skin for the long term. Even if you’re faced with some inflammation, it will likely be less extreme than what you would experience with other hair removal methods. 

Consult with your dermatologist, have one of our nurses do a full assessment, and then get a patch test done. Make sure you never schedule a test or session during a flare-up. If you’re careful, you may find that your skin tolerates laser treatments well.

The nurses at SEV Laser are used to working with sensitive skin. We can make accommodations depending on your needs, including shorter sessions, gentler treatment settings, and continuous air cooling. 

Curious about the SEV experience? To book your patch test, schedule a consultation with the professionals at SEV Laser.