What is the term used to describe the appearance of "goose bumps" after laser treatment?

The appearance of "goose bumps" after laser treatment is primarily referred to as perifollicular edema. This phenomenon occurs as a reaction in the hair follicle area due to the effects of the laser on the surrounding tissues. When a laser is applied, it causes localized thermal injury which can lead to mild swelling around the hair follicles. As the body responds to this treatment, fluids can accumulate, creating the appearance of raised bumps around the follicles – akin to goose bumps.

Understanding this reaction is essential for those undergoing laser treatment, as it is a common and temporary response indicating that the body is healing and responding to the procedure. It’s important to differentiate this from other terms like dermal inflammation or cutaneous reactions, as those may encompass a wider range of responses and not specifically focus on the localized bump formation around hair follicles.

Perifollicular edema signifies that the treatment is affecting the hair follicles specifically, while other reactions might not be as localized or indicative of the treatment's specific effects.