What is a common side effect of laser hair removal?

The common side effect of laser hair removal is temporary redness or swelling. After the procedure, it is typical for the skin to react to the laser treatment, causing a mild inflammatory response. This may manifest as redness, swelling, or slight irritation in the targeted area, similar to how skin reacts after a sunburn. These effects usually resolve within a few hours to a couple of days, making them a normal part of the healing process.

In contrast, severe pain is not typical during or after laser hair removal as modern lasers are designed to minimize discomfort. Permanent discoloration is a more rare and serious side effect that can occur due to improper technique or settings but is not considered common. Immediate hair re-growth is not anticipated because the laser treatment targets the hair follicle, aiming to disable it, which results in a significant reduction in hair regrowth over time. Temporary redness or swelling, on the other hand, is a benign and expected outcome following the procedure.