Laser complications: hair removal

The increasing use of laser and light source-based hair removal techniques has led to not only an increased incidence of reported complications, but also to a better understanding of the cause of such complications. The objective of this article was to provide an understanding of the incidence and the etiology of complications following laser/light-based hair removal. In conclusion, almost all complications following laser/light-based hair removal techniques can be prevented with a thorough understanding of the thermally induced effect of such treatment on the hair follicle and epidermal melanin. Some newly described complications may have a variety of etiologic factors.