Laser hair removal is one of the best methods available to permanently reduce body hair, yet you must follow some tips in order for it to work effectively.
As an example, shaving too soon before your treatment could leave your hair too short for laser to target, while shaving too soon after could lead to skin irritation and cause further complications.
Avoid Using Perfumes and Fragrances
Following laser treatment, it is advised to forego perfumes and heavily-scented topical beauty products as this can irritate the sensitive skin that has undergone laser treatment. Furthermore, body scrubs contain abrasive materials which could further irritate it; and when choosing deodorants it’s advisable to opt for ones without fragrances as this could also irritate it further.
Before your treated area has healed completely, you should avoid rubbing, scratching, scrubbing, tweezing, waxing and coloring it. Furthermore, it’s advisable to limit sun exposure by wearing protective clothing with wide brim hats or high SPF sunscreen in order to block out harmful UV rays from sunlight.
Before receiving laser hair removal treatments, it is essential that your skin is clean and dry. Shower before arriving at your appointment and thoroughly cleanse the treatment area. Avoid lotions, creams or oils as these may obstruct accessing hair follicles through laser technology; additionally stop using deodorants around your underarm area as this may irritate it further.
After your treatment, it is normal to experience redness and sensitivity around the treated hair follicles. It may feel similar to mild sunburn but can still be quite uncomfortable at times. To ease discomfort and ease any pain experienced during this time period, cooling gel or an ice pack can be applied directly on affected areas for relief. Aloe vera gel may also provide soothing benefits that reduce irritation.
Once your laser treatment has completed, it is wise to limit exposure to direct sunlight as your skin will likely be sensitive and prolonged exposure can increase the risk of hyperpigmentation or sunburn. You should also steer clear of tanning beds.
Follow your laser hair removal practitioner’s postcare recommendations in order to maximize the efficacy of your treatment and ensure a swift healing process and achieve desired results. By taking these measures, it will help your skin recover more quickly while giving you optimal results.
Avoid Body Scrubs
After laser treatment, you may notice some hair follicles still trying to attach themselves to your skin. In such instances, it is best not to pluck, wax or remove these hairs unless directed by your dermatologist; doing so may speed up the shedding process and extend the results of your treatment.
Avoid body scrubs on the treated area as well. Scrubbing can be extremely irritating to skin that has undergone laser treatment, leading to redness, swelling, scarring and infection as well as ingrown hairs in that region.
Scrubs containing harsh chemicals may irritate sensitive skin that has just undergone laser hair removal treatments, so resisting temptation to scrub can help your body heal more quickly and you can enjoy the results of laser hair removal treatment more fully.
Before going in for laser hair removal, it is also advisable to refrain from self-tanning products or visiting tanning salons as these will lessen its effectiveness. Laser works best when there is contrast between natural skin tone and hair color – something tans reduce significantly, rendering laser treatments ineffective.
Before having laser hair removal performed, it’s advisable to apply a numbing cream from a local pharmacy – this will numb the surface of your skin, making the pain associated with laser hair removal more bearable.
Additionally, for best results in laser hair removal treatments it is advisable to shave the area being treated at least 24 hours in advance, which will make it easier for the technician to administer anesthesia to numb it effectively. Furthermore, sun exposure should be limited using broad spectrum sunscreen on your treatment area; additionally tweezing, waxing or threading of hair in this area should also be avoided so as to not interfere with future hair removal treatments.
Avoid Sun Exposure
After laser hair removal treatment, it is wise to limit sun exposure in order to allow treated areas time to heal from sun exposure without becoming sunburnt, scarred or hyperpigmented. You should limit sun exposure for three weeks after each laser hair removal session in order to give your skin time to recover from being exposed to intense heat during laser hair removal sessions. This will give it time to recover fully.
If you decide to venture outside in the sun, use a sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30, as well as wearing protective attire like wide-brimmed hats and long sleeves. These measures will help safeguard against UV rays present in most hotter climates and protect your skin.
Prevent tanning beds from being exposed to too much UV radiation prior and post laser hair removal treatments as they could expose your skin to too much sun, leading to unwanted tanning or hyperpigmentation – neither are results you want from laser hair removal sessions.
As part of your preparation for laser hair removal treatments, it is recommended to shave the area one to three days in advance of any scheduled sessions. Shaving too close or too far before or after appointments could compromise their effectiveness as too long hair will impede laser penetration into skin and target follicles effectively.
Before your laser treatment, it is also a wise idea to refrain from tweezing, waxing or plucking the area that will be treated – this will prevent unnecessary hair follicles being targeted during your procedure and avoid ingrown hairs that can become uncomfortable and difficult to get rid of. If you have any queries regarding products or practices you should avoid prior to receiving laser therapy treatments, speak to your therapist as they will be more than willing to assist you.
Avoid Tweezing or Waxing
Tweezing or waxing removes hair from your skin, but can also damage hair follicles, which makes laser treatment less effective if done prior to or post appointment. Avoid waxing before laser hair removal treatments because this could cause thicker and darker regrowth after each session.
Plucked hairs prior to or following laser treatments should also be avoided as this will cause them to regrow thicker, darker and thornier than before, as well as impairing its effectiveness as laser works best on hairs that still reside within their follicles. Furthermore, shaving cream should never be used prior to or following laser treatment as this could damage skin tissue significantly.
If hairs that have grown between treatments need to be removed, using razors with dull blades is an effective solution for gently shaving the area in between sessions. Remember to shave as soon as possible so that laser treatments can better target them and reach all areas with hair growth.
During your recovery period, it’s best to avoid soaps containing alcohol and other harsh ingredients as these can irritate sensitive skin and lead to scarring. Also try applying aloe vera gel or lotion for soothing relief if any irritation develops.
As soon as your laser treatment has concluded, avoid taking hot showers, baths or sauna sessions for two days post-treatment to minimize skin irritants such as heat. Ice packs wrapped in cloth or paper towels may help alleviate any pain, discomfort or stinging sensations; otherwise it’s wise to take Paracetamol (Tylenol) or another over-the-counter pain reliever as soon as the stinging persists.
