Are You Ready to Try Laser Hair Removal? Here Are Some Tips On Preparing for Treatment.
Prior to your laser hair removal appointment, for two weeks it is advisable to avoid direct sunlight as much as possible – including tanning beds and self-tanners – in order to avoid extra pigment which could result in skin discoloration after your treatment has taken place.
Cleanse
Once you’ve decided to pursue permanent hair reduction through Laser Hair Removal, taking a few precautions is key for enjoying its benefits and smooth stubble-free skin all over. Ideal Image, America’s premier provider of Laser Hair Removal services, provides this guide with tips directly from their trusted medical professionals for optimal preparation for each appointment.
Step one in treating yourself should always include cleansing the area on which you wish to focus. Make sure all moisturizers, oils, makeup, deodorant or perfumes from that area have been removed as these could interfere with treatment and cause discomfort during this phase of healing.
Before your appointment, it is advised to avoid tanning and prolonged sun exposure for at least a few weeks as laser treatments cannot be conducted on sunburned or tanned skin. If it is necessary to spend time outdoors during this period, use liberal amounts of sunscreen with frequent reapplication and apply generously when out.
Shaving is also essential, as this allows the laser to more easily locate hair follicles without being covered up by skin layers. Shave either day or night before your appointment – however do not pluck, tweeze, or wax as these methods remove hair by its root and will render treatment ineffective.
Be mindful when using skincare products containing photosensitivity-increasing ingredients such as benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid as these may increase photosensitivity during laser treatment and cause you to burn during it. Be sure to inform your Patient Consultant of this when scheduling an appointment for laser treatments.
Moisturize
Creams, oils or makeup should never be applied directly to the area being treated; such products can irritate skin sensitivity to laser light and make aestheticians difficultly treat it precisely. Furthermore, such products increase your likelihood of sunburn and other unwanted side effects following laser hair removal sessions; you should also stay clear from tanning beds and sunbeds two weeks prior to any appointment as even minor sunburn can lead to swelling, blistering and discoloration after your laser hair removal appointment.
Moisturize your skin regularly to keep it hydrated; however, avoid moisturizers with added sunscreen as these could interfere with the effectiveness of laser hair removal treatments. Hot showers, saunas and heating pads should also be avoided to ensure skin remains unirritated by heat exposure – these could make laser light more sensitive than ever.
Preparing for laser hair removal requires taking special care when exfoliating. Exfoliation helps remove dead skin cells that accumulate on the surface of your body, which speeds up hair shedding and minimizes ingrown hairs after treatment. Exfoliation is especially important for those with darker skin tones as it prevents any unwanted sun stains that might otherwise appear later.
Before your appointment, it’s advisable to avoid shaving the area being treated for at least 24 hours prior. Shaving disrupts hair shafts and makes it harder for laser energy to reach and destroy unwanted follicles. Furthermore, waxing, tweezing, and sugaring all disrupt hair follicles in some way.
Exfoliate
After laser hair removal, it’s best to avoid anything that might aggravate redness or bumps for at least 24 hours post procedure. This means no hot showers and tight clothing which might irritate the skin; opt for lukewarm water and gentle skin products like aloe gel or lotion to soothe any redness or sensitivity on your skin.
Once 24 hours have passed, exfoliation of the area treated can begin. It is wise to wait several days after laser treatments have taken place before exfoliating to give your skin time to recover and heal from any irritation, but once exfoliation begins it’s best to use only scrubs that won’t leave your skin feeling rough or abrasive; any chemical exfoliants should wait until after your laser sessions have taken place.
Hair shedding after laser treatments is normal, since those targeted are still in their growth phase. Once treatment has concluded, allow dead hairs to fall out on their own rather than resorting to waxing or tweezing to achieve results.
After laser treatments, you may also observe some scabs appearing on the surface of the skin. It is important to avoid picking or scratching at these scabs as doing so could lead to infection and scarring; instead, gently pat each one with a clean towel or cloth until they disappear on their own.
Wear Loose Clothes
Laser hair removal is an efficient and safe solution to permanently eliminate unwanted body hair. But before beginning treatment, there are a few steps you should take in order to minimize discomfort and ensure its success.
To help your skin recover after laser therapy, it is best to wear loose-fitting clothing. This allows the treated area to breathe while also reducing any irritation. Furthermore, any tight clothing, restrictive material or abrasive fabric must be avoided and if necessary a towel should cover this section so as to reduce friction and irritation.
Avoid direct sunlight after receiving laser hair removal treatments as this could expose sensitive areas to sunburn. Apply a cold compress instead; using ice for five to ten minutes several times each day on affected areas can also help relieve pain and swelling.
If you are planning to undergo bikini area laser hair removal, it is recommended that you wear loose-fitting clothes on the day of treatment and refrain from receiving other services (facials, mud baths, CoolSculpting or laser whitening) until four weeks have passed after your laser hair removal session has taken place.
As well as wearing loose-fitting clothing, it is also wise to avoid applying creams, oils, sunscreen or deodorant prior to laser hair removal treatment. Such products can irritate your skin and increase risk during laser hair removal sessions; in their place use natural products that gently cleanse and protect skin against harsh chemicals.
Arrive Clean
Laser hair removal can be one of the best ways to cut down on shaving and waxing in your beauty regimen, yet it requires much more preparation than simply walking into a salon and getting your haircut. In order to reap maximum benefit from laser treatments, it’s essential that you take special care with both before and after each session in order to ensure the most successful outcomes and minimize any discomfort during treatments.
Before beginning laser treatment, it is essential that your skin be free of lotions or sunscreens that increase photosensitivity or cause it to burn during the procedure. You should stop using these products at least a few days before your appointment, while limiting sun exposure as much as possible while using broad spectrum sunblock when venturing outdoors.
Plucked or waxed areas should also be avoided for laser treatments as this will remove pigment at its source, which the laser needs in order to work effectively. If necessary, shave as soon as possible prior to your appointment for best results.
If you’re ready to stop shaving and start getting rid of unwanted hair, now is the time to schedule a consultation with a licensed laser technician in your area. Search online or ask around; these professionals will give you all of the information they can to help determine if laser hair removal is the solution for you.
