Hair Removal with Laser is an arduous, multi-stage process that typically requires multiple sessions every four to six weeks for maximum effect. Some areas may need annual touch ups in order to maintain optimal results.
Laser light beams absorb melanin from within hair follicles to permanently damage them, which means you should refrain from plucking, waxing or bleaching before beginning treatment.
1. Preparation is Key
Lasers work by heating pigments in hair follicles to destroy them, which prevents future growth of unwanted hair. Because of this, it is recommended that for six weeks prior to receiving laser treatment it’s wise not to pluck or wax any unwanted hair and to shave any that grows above your skin surface so it can be targeted by laser.
Schedule multiple laser sessions four to eight weeks apart. This allows the laser to effectively target only hair that is currently in an active growth phase – this means that hair follicles go through cycles of resting, shedding and growing that could mean hair may regrowth between treatments.
New, reduced hair growth should be much finer and lighter in color compared to before. Furthermore, laser treatment could last months or even years!
Your skin complexion and hair color also play a factor in how effective laser hair removal treatments will be. Darker skintones with finer hairs do not tend to respond as well because their stark contrast to surrounding skin makes it harder for laser treatment to penetrate effectively into each follicle.
Laser treatments can deliver amazing results for those with light skin and dark hair. Your technician will determine which laser would best meet your needs during your consultation and discuss expected outcomes and packages that would suit you best. It is also vital that between treatments, tanning is avoided as this could interfere with results, especially if multiple facial laser treatments are being done simultaneously.
2. Schedule Your Appointments
Schedule your laser sessions as far in advance as possible to maximize results from each treatment and ensure a successful journey to hairlessness. In order to reach that goal, typically six laser sessions must be completed for optimal results.
Prior to your treatment appointment, it’s crucial that the area being treated stays out of direct sunlight as much as possible – particularly in the weeks before. Not only will this prevent sun discolouration but it will allow the laser to target skin pigment more accurately while lessening pain during its administration.
Before your treatment, it is wise to avoid waxing, plucking or bleaching the area to be treated so that hair will be at its most vulnerable and the laser can target it effectively. Furthermore, lotions or deodorants that might affect how the laser operates and result in better outcomes.
Prior to beginning laser treatments, it can be beneficial to apply a topical numbing cream over the area being treated. You can find this cream over-the-counter at most pharmacies, and it will make the procedure far more bearable. Applying it before treating sensitive areas such as your bikini line or underarms will only make matters better!
Informing a laser professional of any medications (both oral and topical), both prescribed to you as well as those taken off-label can impact on the results of treatment or make skin more vulnerable to blistering and burning, so they can adjust settings safely for you.
3. Wear Comfortable Clothes
Laser treatment can be uncomfortable at times and your skin may feel delicate afterward. You can minimize discomfort and swelling by wearing loose-fitting clothing to your appointment. Also avoid hot showers, tubs and saunas on the area being treated; hot temperatures may cause burns and blistering of skin that requires moisturization after each treatment session. Finally, try not to expose it directly sunlight as tanning can darken treated areas while direct sunlight will darken them even more! For any discomfort caused by paracetamol usage.
Before your appointment, shave the area you will have treated on your body the day prior. This will help shorten hairs so they will respond more readily to laser therapy treatment and ensure maximum effectiveness from laser treatment. Also avoid waxing, tweezing and depilatory cream use in areas to be treated at least two weeks beforehand.
Your laser hair removal sessions must target areas that are free from tanning or pigmentation, to create the maximum contrast between hair color and skin tone. Darker hair means more effective results from treatment.
Wearing loose and breathable clothing during laser hair removal appointments will help prevent irritation of the treated skin from rubbing against other items of clothing. If you experience discomfort before your laser hair removal appointment or notice any skin rashes or irritation prior to it, let our expert team at Xanadu know immediately so they can reschedule for another date if necessary – they are more than willing to help!
4. Avoid Sunlight
Laser treatments could provide a long-term solution to unwanted hair. Unlike shaving, depilatory creams, and waxing (all of which sting like hell), laser treatment actually kills the hair follicle to stop future growth; you may require multiple sessions with your practitioner and it’s recommended that sunlight should be avoided as much as possible for maximum effectivity of treatment.
Your practitioner will direct the laser’s light energy onto targeted areas on your body during treatment, so it’s crucial that all chemicals or substances – perfumes, soaps and moisturizers among them – be absent from your skin prior to beginning. Also important: being honest about previous sun exposure could significantly impact results; so be up front when speaking with your technician about any past exposure you have had.
Before your session, it is also recommended that you avoid tanning for at least two weeks prior to laser hair removal, since its light energy will absorb pigment in both your skin and hair, leading to damage that reduces its efficacy as well as permanent skin damage. If you plan to sunbathe anyway, please use a broad spectrum sunscreen with at least an SPF 30 protection factor and wear a wide-brimmed hat as this will both keep the sun off you while also keeping you comfortable during prolonged sunbathing – nobody wants a sunburn after having undergone laser hair removal!
5. Stay Hydrated
Laser treatment can provide a long-term solution to unwanted body hair, going below the surface to address its source by disabling hair follicles and leaving permanently smooth skin behind. While the process can be uncomfortable at first, especially in sensitive areas; you can manage pain with some advance preparation.
Based on your pain threshold, taking an over-the-counter nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) an hour prior to an appointment may help alleviate discomfort. Acetaminophen (Tylenol) is recommended, though ibuprofen and caffeine-containing acetaminophen may increase susceptibility to pain. For an alternative approach, try an OTC topical cream instead that may alleviate discomfort.
Before your appointment, it is recommended to shave the area that will be treated. This allows the laser to easily identify hair follicles and destroy them more effectively. Furthermore, waxing or tweezing between sessions could interfere with its efficacy – an unnecessary step which may compromise results of laser treatment.
Before your laser treatment appointment, make sure that you stay well hydrated – the more water you drink, the less sensitive your skin will be. Also be mindful to limit sun exposure before and after laser treatment to protect from sunburn; otherwise it could delay healing times significantly. If there’s itching after treatment, use ice packs or over-the-counter pain relievers instead of scratching to ease symptoms rather than scratching as this can lead to redness and irritation. Lastly, inform any healthcare providers of any medications you are currently taking as this could affect results of laser treatments significantly.
