All about Black dots after laser hair removal you need to know | Golden Pulse (2024)

FAQs

All about Black dots after laser hair removal you need to know | Golden Pulse? ›

The black dots that appear after laser hair removal are called “post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation.” They occur when the laser treatment causes damage to the hair follicle and surrounding skin. This results in an increased production of melanin, which is the pigment that gives colour to the skin.

These are commonly referred to as “pepper spots”, which eventually shed on their own. Exfoliating may help speed up the process. Regardless, they will be singed off in the following session. Once the hair sheds, you should experience a hair-free period for several weeks.

Chemical peels for PIH

One of the classic methods for removing post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation from lasers is chemical peels. There are a variety of types and strengths of chemical peels, from trichloroacetic (TCA) acid, salicylic acid, to glycolic acid, to treat PIH.

Black dots correspond to remnants of hair shafts in the follicular ostia and cannot be removed mechanically. They are usually associated with other forms of broken hairs. The second trichoscopic finding is hair dye; if hair is improperly washed, dye can deposit on the scalp and may even penetrate the follicular ostia.

In general, it can take anywhere from a few days to several weeks for the pigmentation to fade. BBL and Laser treatment are not one-off treatments. Multiple sessions may be required to achieve optimal results.

After shedding finishes, you might experience little black dots still “stuck” in the skin. These are commonly referred to as “pepperspots” and will shed eventually, but might take a bit longer. Exfoliate to help those out as well.

The black dots that appear after laser hair removal are called “post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation.” They occur when the laser treatment causes damage to the hair follicle and surrounding skin. This results in an increased production of melanin, which is the pigment that gives colour to the skin.

While you shouldn't be able to pull hair out forcefully, you're free to cut or scrub the hair in order to speed up the shed process. Rub the treatment area with a circular motion with a loofah or gentle washcloth for removing dead hair.

When the laser targets the hair follicle, it damages the root of the hair. This damage signals to the body that the hair is no longer needed and will eventually be shed. In most cases, this occurs 1 to 3 weeks after your LHR treatment, and it sometimes looks like blackheads or stubble.

Do black dots mean hair growth? ›

In some cases, the black dots may simply be dead hair that is still visible on the surface of the skin. This is particularly common in areas with thicker, coarser hair. However, in some cases, the black dots may be a sign of new hair growth.

Black piedra is asymptomatic, except for the unsightly nodes visible on hair strands. On examination, the hair shaft shows firmly attached brown-black nodules, which are less than 1mm in size. These nodules are gritty on palpation.

What is the black stuff in my hair follicle? The "black stuff" in a hair follicle could be a number of things, but it's usually dirt, oil, or product buildup.

Laser and intense pulsed light.

Some laser and intense pulsed light therapies destroy melanin-producing cells (melanocytes) without damaging the skin's surface. These approaches typically require two to three sessions. Wounding (ablative) lasers remove the top layer of skin (epidermis).

After laser hair removal, hyperpigmentation can appear as dark spots or patches on the skin. It can be mild or severe, and it can take several weeks or months to fade.

When pigmentation is targeted with an IPL treatment, the spots initially darken and begin to rise to the surface of the skin during the days post treatment to appear as if coffee grounds have been rubbed onto the skin. This is known as the 'coffee ground effect'.

The answer to your question, “Can a laser hair removal burn be permanent,” is yes. It is possible that the burn could cause a permanent scar, but that is rare. In most cases, when a burn does happen, it heals on its own, just like any other burn you might get on your skin.

While lasers are certainly not a cure for keratosis pilaris, it has been the most successful treatment for reducing the rough texture and uneven appearance this skin condition presents. Most often, a combination of treatments is the only way to truly get keratosis pilaris under control.

Erythema: Redness, inflammation or a histamine reaction is normal, the area being treated will be red and bumpy after a treatment and should settle after 2 – 3 days. Any sort of trauma to the skin may react this way.