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Laser Hair Removal
Yesterday I got laser hair removal on my forearms. Yes, weird area, but my dark hair makes me really paranoid about my hairy arms! Anyways, this is not my first experience with laser hair removal. I actually am in the middle of my series doing my bikini area as well. Loved what was happening down there, so I figured that I'd get my forearms done as well (different location than the place i'm getting my bikini and purchased w/a groupon deal!)
Anyways, my forearms are extremely reddened and itchy! I placed a cold compress on it all last night and have been taking ibuprofen to keep the inflammation down. I've been putting hydrocortisone on it to help w/the itchiness. There's even a small area of darkened circles, like I got burned or something! Eeeek. Hope it all goes away soon.
Weird that I would have a reaction like this when I've had no problems down there. You would think that it would be more sensitive in the nether-regions than my forearms! Yeeesh. Maybe the different locations use different machines? Beats me, but I can't imagine that they would be THAT different.
Re: Laser Hair Removal
Ouch! I would think that maybe the 2 different clinics are using different machines, like you mentioned. I've been wanting to get my forearms done too but the clinic I was going to in Vancouver wouldn't do it in the summertime b/c of the whole it-can't-be-exposed-to-sun thing.
I had to leave for the US near the end of my treatment so I'm not fully finished with my bikini and underarm. I'm worried about picking a random clinic here because I've heard some bad stories of laser gone bad.
I hope your arms heal soon! Do you think you'll keep going to this new place?
One guess - if the laser targets pigment, it could have burned the skin on your tan arms. What I've read explains that the best candidate for traditional laser hair removal is dark hair on white skin. People with light hair don't have enough pigment in their hair for the laser to be effective (grumble). People with dark skin can have problems with the laser targeting the pigment in their skin (ouch).
I would go back to the place and show them what happened. See if there is something they can provide or suggest to help heal your arms.
Newlyweds since 2007
Not only do the different machines may matter, but also the technicians--whether they put it on the correct/appropriate settings for your skin and hair type. I feel like because you've had successful lasering sessions before, I'd attribute this situation to the place you went to rather than your skin. Lasers can be very powerful and can burn your skin and more, so it's definitely something to be a bit cautious about...
I'd definitely second pp in going back and telling & showing them what happened. Not sure how much you trust them, but you can even go elsewhere for a second opinion if you're at all uneasy. But, either way, I think they should know about what happened.
No matter what, definitely keep your arms covered and stay out of the sun because they're gonna be even more sensitive to the light. I never used hydro-cortisone on my treated areas but I generally use aloe vera after my treatments. I don't know if that would help at all but I never got red and itchy so I can't say for sure on how to treat that. But I hope you get and feel better soon! GL!!
I probably will keep going to this new place, just because I already paid for it. But maybe I'll wait until more of the winter months, when my arms haven't been exposed to sun. My complexion is pretty dark, so I didn't think that I would be affected that much by my forearms. Our summer has been without much sun so I figured I'd be safe. Oh well. Hope it heals soon. I may consider postponing my next appt depending on how it goes.
Good call. Maybe I'll give them a buzz and see what they say!