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Burns/Laser hair removal burns

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Expert: Jim B - 11/4/2008


Question
I have a question concerning burns caused by laser hair removal. I went for a series of treatments (6 in total) and had good results. There was quit a bit of discomfort but no burns. Then after a few months the hair had returned, so i booked another appt for another treatment. During the treatment there was about the same discomfort level but as I was driving home the pain became unbearable! By the time I got home 10 min. later I was almost in tears. Got in the shower and ran cold water over the area for an hour then put coco butter on. It has been 3 weeks since this happened. I had deep scabbing and is just now clean of that. My skin is very tender and very discoloured. During the entire time I was always covered in coco butter. I am going on vacation in 3 weeks and need to know if going to a tan bed may even out the colouring on my skin? OR will it make it more noticable? Not sure what to do about this, but need to do something ...... hope you can help me!

Answer
Hi Sher,
I suspect your tech did not use the same exposure or filter settings as the first set you went through. Soooo you got a little over done! Stay away from a tannung bed for a while as itis likely that your skin will be extremely sensitive to UV rays. Consuder spray-on tans for cosmetic coloration.

Hope this helps!

Jim

Burns

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Jim B

Expertise

I can answer a variety of questions concerning the physical care of burns and burn patients which commonly are of interest to both patients and their families. Also I may be helpful in suggesting lifestyle modifications which will help with a more complete recovery from a serious burn. I can also accept questions regarding the physical classifications of burns and the implications regarding the size, depth, and location of burns. What I cannot answer based on my own knowledge and experience I can refer to my current and former collegues in the field including the plastic and trauma surgeons and burn recovery organizations. In many of these cases I will provide a line of communication directly to a specific expert or organization. While I can describe general treatments routines with which I am experienced,I cannot answer questions dealing with specifuc diagnosis of conditions or problems. Additionally, please understand that the area of burn treatments is an experimental one in which there is constant progress and change. Each Burn Center invests a major effort in the development of new materials, treatments, medications, and techniques. In this area of constant change and growth no one can be fully aware of all treatment courses employed.

Experience

I am a licensed Paramedic and have also worked as a wound technician in a large regional Burn Center in a Trauma Level 1 hospital. I have experience in the areas of burn evaluation and care, both long-term and immediate first aid. I have also worked as a volunteer couselor with post-burn patients dealing with issues ranging from life-style changes to re-entering the world as a serious burn survivor.

Education/Credentials
BA Economics and Biology, AA Health Care Management, EMT-P licensed in Missouri, ABLS (Advanced Burn Life Support)qulification, ACLS-EP (Advanced Cardiac Life Support-Experienced Provider), Former National Ski Patrol Winter Emergency Care Instructor and Senior Evaluator, Emergency Medical Technician and Paramedic Instructor.

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