5 yrs, 8 mths ago

Do I have Folliculitis?

Hi guys

My first post in here so hoping someone may be able to help me out?

I had Laser Hair Removal on my underarms, bikini and legs a few months ago (Candela machine) and when I got home that night, my legs started to become really red with raised bumps.

They gradually became redder over the next few days and started to itch like hell so I called the salon and she told me to keep applying aloe vera gel and take antihistamines. I’ve attached the photo of my leg after a few days and they were like this for probably around 6 weeks.

The weird thing is that my underarms and bikini did not react at all to the laser, they were not affected at all.

Now I’ve gone and had laser again on my bikini and underarms at a different clinic yesterday and she only did a patch test on my leg this time to see if it happens again and surely enough, its starting to happen again with the redness and itchiness, but my other areas are fine again

Can anyone tell me what is wrong with me? Is this Folliculitis? Thanks 🙂

9 comments 32 voices

Replies

  • 5 yrs, 8 mths ago

    This doesn’t look like folliculitis for sure. It could be a laser burn or an adverse reaction.

  • 5 yrs, 8 mths ago

    OH my gosh! That looks painful! I don’t think it is Folliculitis from my experience as my daughter gets Folliculitis quite often and it looks more like little pus filled pimples that are yellow in the middle and then red and inflammed around it. It’s like all your hair follicles get infected so lots of tiny pimples on each hair if that makes sense?

    I would definitely go to the doctor though! Good luck!

  • 5 yrs, 8 mths ago

    Maybe you should see a doctor, it looks a bit worrying to me. This has put me off getting laser therapy now, I’m too much of a wuss.

    • 5 yrs, 8 mths ago

      Yes agree Lisa, I should have seen a Dr and I don`t know why I didn`t. It did clear up after 5-6 weeks and only affected my legs for some odd reason.

      My bikini and underarms are completely fine so don`t be worried about getting laser done. You can always tell the clinic that you would like to come in for a patch test first.

  • 5 yrs, 8 mths ago

    Thanks girls, yes I think I will definitely stick to waxing my legs from now on as laser just isn’t for me. xx

  • 5 yrs, 8 mths ago

    I have a Lumea Advanced IPL – SC1997/00 for home use and I have a similar reaction. Only on my legs, no problem anywhere else.

    Here is a snippet of my review.

    “The 3rd and 4th times I have had an itchy reaction on only the lower half of both of my lower legs. When I say itchy I mean hives/ mozzie bite, drive you nuts itchy. I have shaved and waxed for years and have never had a reaction so I am really shocked. Why there? It is the only place on my body that never reacts to anything! I had to take Phenergan and use cortisone cream to stop myself from scratching my skin off in my sleep and it takes a couple of weeks to clear.”

    My legs didn’t look as bad as yours probably because my machine isn’t as strong and I got antihistamine into me asap.

  • 5 yrs, 8 mths ago

    Hi there, i have been doing some reading up about laser therapy. Folliculitis is a common side effect, up to 30% i think. It seems like you are prone to get this with laser given that you have tried two different clinics. Better stick to other methods for your legs.

  • 5 yrs, 8 mths ago

    Oh wow that looks painful! To me it appears you may have also had some bruising as well? I don’t know much about laser hair removal except for having it done myself, and while I do get small bumps, it is nowhere near as severe as your reaction and usually goes away within two days. Even though I’m not the most educated about laser hair removal I have a few ideas that might be possible causes?
    Maybe the setting they used on the laser was too high on your legs and caused damage to the blood vessels in your legs and irritated your skin? Or, is it possible that the hair on your legs is lighter (in colour and thickness) than the hair under your arms or in your bikini area and so when the laser goes to target the darker areas (i.e the hair) it isn’t as accurate as it may be if the hair was darker. Sorry I can’t be more help but I hope you manage to figure out whats going on xx 🙁

    • 5 yrs, 8 mths ago

      Thanks cdbeauty, yes my hair is definitely lighter on my legs so I think you are right there. Maybe its best I stick to waxing my legs like Ive always done. Thanks for your reply xx

  • You must be logged in to reply to this topic.