After receiving laser hair removal treatments, it’s wise to avoid certain products and techniques which may irritate the skin – such as tweezing – that may disrupt hair’s natural cycle and render future treatments less effective.
Opting for an aloe vera gel may provide you with an effective remedy, while applying fragrance-free moisturizer multiple times daily should also work effectively.
Exfoliate
Once your laser hair removal session is over, exfoliating is safe and should be performed using either a scrub or gentle chemical treatment. Chemical exfoliants help slough away dead skin cells to reveal newer layers of healthy skin beneath. Furthermore, exfoliation stimulates hair shedding by prompting your body to release any extra hair; according to dermatologist Marie Hayag. However, overdoing it could damage delicate tissue leading to health complications.
Chemical exfoliants offer an alternative to physical scrubs that can be rough on the skin: acids can dissolve the “glue” that holds dead skin together. When selecting an acidic solution, make sure it has low concentration as too much can cause severe chemical burns. Alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) and beta hydroxy acids (BHAs) are two of the most popular types. AHAs such as glycolic, lactic, and citric acids are water soluble acids ideal for normal to dry skin conditions; these acids help improve tone and texture, fade pigmentation spots, unclog pores, and promote more even tone across all areas of the face. You’ll find AHAs in many products, from body scrubs and Omorovicza’s Acid Fix to facial cleanser and Malin+Goetz’s Ingrown Hair Cream. While AHAs may work to relieve body odor, BHAs provide oil soluble relief for clogged pores, blackheads and acne; BHAs work by clearing away oil-filled pores while blackheads. They’re often found in facial cleansers or Malin+Goetz Ingrown Hair Cream as well.
Exfoliating regularly can also aid the shedding process while also helping prevent ingrown hairs and bumps from developing. An ingrown hair occurs when hair grows back at an odd angle or breaks off within its follicle; AHAs and BHAs may help with ingrown hair prevention by exfoliating, softening skin texture, and physically lifting out ingrown hairs, according to King.
Exfoliation offers many advantages, but after laser hair removal your skin may be extra delicate and sensitive. Therefore, wait 24 to 48 hours before engaging in exfoliation treatments using harsh scrubs or perfumed products.
Once your exfoliation session has concluded, apply a soothing moisturizer such as Dr Murad’s Calming Lotion as soon as possible to soothe any possible inflammation or redness in the skin. Shaving should also be delayed until after healing has taken place as this could disrupt hair follicles and reverse any progress made with laser hair removal sessions.
Moisturize
Moisturizing after laser hair removal is essential as your skin may be vulnerable to drying out. Avoid perfumed and chemical-laden body products and opt for natural, unscented moisturizers free from alpha hydroxy acids; the most suitable moisturizers include vitamin E for soothing and healing the skin. In addition, try to limit harsh scrubs or other exfoliating treatments immediately post treatment, along with hot showers, baths, saunas or steam rooms as these can irritate it further.
If you experience redness or itchiness after laser hair removal, apply soothing cream like aloe vera gel to ease it. Scratching is common in treated areas; scratching only worsens this sensitivity. If scratching becomes difficult to control, try using something such as a rubber band to break the habit instead. Avoid rubbing as this could result in blisters which worsen irritation further.
Within the first 24 hours after laser hair removal, it is essential to avoid products which could irritate the treatment area, such as perfumed lotions or body creams, soaps, makeup or hot showers that could aggravate itching or burning of the treated area. In order to minimize irritation caused by hot showers and baths; an alternative would be cold showers and baths which might reduce burning or itching sensations.
After your laser hair removal treatment session, begin exfoliating your treatment area using soft wash cloths, puffy shower sponges or loofahs to gently exfoliate. Chemical exfoliants such as salicylic acid or beta hydroxy acid can also provide effective results.
Once your skin has fully recovered, you can gradually introduce other treatments back in. Your usual skincare routine should continue, although it would be wise to exfoliate several times each week and reapply a high SPF sunscreen to the area in question.
Keep in mind that hair grows in cycles, and that it may take up to three weeks for any ‘dead’ hairs to resurface after laser hair removal treatments. Blackhead-like bumps may appear for several weeks after laser hair removal treatments are conducted – these are completely normal reactions and do not indicate that they were unsuccessful.
Apply Aloe Vera
Aloe vera can provide additional relief following laser hair removal treatment by cooling, healing and moisturizing the skin. Aloe vera’s cooling properties, healing properties and moisturization properties help ease any burning sensations or redness that may arise as a result. Furthermore, aloe helps sooth your skin so it becomes less desirable for bacteria or dirt accumulation – especially important if dealing with sensitive or irritated areas following treatment.
After your laser hair removal session, your skin may feel bumpy or unevenly textured; this is a normal side effect and should diminish with time as hair follicles shed naturally. If this feeling becomes uncomfortable for you, try applying cooling aloe vera lotion or gel directly on the affected area; not only will this alleviate discomfort but it may speed up recovery as well.
After laser hair removal, it is recommended that you wait 48 hours before shaving, waxing or plucking the area to allow any remaining hairs to shed naturally and prevent them from regrowing in their original spot. After this time has elapsed you can resume using regular shaving products.
Though you should wait 24 hours after laser treatment to use physical scrubs on the area, chemical exfoliants may still be safe and beneficial. A good chemical exfoliant includes ingredients which safely slough away dead skin cells without harming the skin itself – alpha hydroxy acids like glycolic acid, beta hydroxy acid or salicylic acid are examples of such ingredients; these acids work by dissolving glue-like material holding together dead cells so they can be expelled from your surface and reveal radiant and smooth skin underneath.
Exfoliants can be found in body washes, body creams, or face masks. You can apply these exfoliators with washclothes, puffy shower sponges, loofahs or loofas – simply massage your area in a circular motion while gently exfoliating!
As soon as laser treatment has taken place, it is advised that you refrain from using scrubs containing nuts, sugar or salt on the affected area for at least 24 hours after. Such scrubs could damage delicate skin surfaces and lead to itching, burning or redness in this sensitive region of skin.
Avoid Scratching
Laser hair removal treatments may make the skin itchy after treatment, so it is essential that patients avoid scratching to prevent infection and scarring. Instead, gently pat the area with a clean cloth to loosen any scabs that form and speed up shedding while decreasing itching. A gentle scrub on the area could also speed up this process and decrease itching significantly.
Keep the area from feeling itchy by applying a soothing cream or ointment such as Sudocream or After Inked to help reduce itching and speed up healing. These products offer excellent relief while simultaneously aiding recovery.
Scratching after laser hair removal is normal, but excessive scratching can cause scarring and redness if scratching continues after treatments have taken place. If itching persists after seeing your dermatologist, consult them as to why.
Though it may be tempting, you should avoid touching the area with your hands as soon as possible. Doing so can introduce bacteria into the small openings where hair grows and result in infection.
Your body will eventually shed dead hairs naturally after laser hair removal, but it is best to allow this process to happen on its own without additional stimulation such as scratching. Scratching can hinder this process and delay results by significantly prolonging it.
Avoid products containing retinoids, alpha-hydroxy acids (AHAs) and beta-hydroxy acids (BHAs) prior to and post laser hair removal treatments as these ingredients may open your pores up, making you more prone to irritation from laser hair removal.
After laser hair removal, it is advisable to limit exposure to heat such as hot showers, baths and saunas as much as possible. Excessive heat may irritate and itchy your skin post-laser hair removal; thus it would be prudent to opt for lukewarm water instead.
Finally, it is also wise to avoid wearing tight clothing in areas treated for laser hair removal, as tight clothing can exert pressure on the skin and make it itchier. If irritation continues after consultation with a dermatologist he or she can suggest soothing moisturizers or treatments which can alleviate itching while encouraging healing.
