Laser hair removal is an increasingly safe and effective solution for eliminating unwanted hair. While treatments may cause some discomfort during and post-session, there are ways to manage any pain or swelling during or post-session.
Before your appointment, for example, it is wise to shave the treatment area and limit sun exposure or self-tanner use. Numbing cream may help lessen sensation.
Acetaminophen
Laser hair removal can be an excellent way to permanently eliminate unwanted hair without the pain associated with shaving and waxing. Before your appointment, take all necessary precautions, such as avoiding certain medications and supplements which could potentially cause bruising or interfere with how well the treatment works. To ensure nothing interferes with your procedure, check all ingredients of any prescription and over-the-counter medicines you take prior to booking an appointment.
Before any procedure, it is wise to discontinue taking aspirin, ibuprofen and anti-inflammatory drugs like Motrin, Aleve and Celebrex to reduce excessive bruising. Over-the-counter pain relievers like acetaminophen can still be taken as they won’t thin your blood or affect risk of bleeding or clotting; additionally you should increase fluid intake in the week preceding any procedure so you’re properly hydrated for it.
For your own comfort, to help reduce discomfort it is recommended to numb the area with a topical cream at least an hour before your appointment. In addition, avoid shaving or tweezing immediately prior to being seen by our laser. Instead allow some stubble growth prior to treatment so there will be something on your skin when we use our laser.
If you are taking acetaminophen, be wary not to exceed the recommended dosage. Each year thousands of people become sick from overdosing on it; an overdose could even prove fatal in rare instances. If in doubt about what dose would be appropriate for you or are uncertain how many pills of acetaminophen to take at once, consult your physician or pharmacist immediately. Additionally, avoid mixing alcohol with it since alcohol causes liver enzymes to convert acetaminophen into harmful byproducts that could make you very sick indeed!
On the day of your appointment, it is wise to avoid products with fragrances or dyes as these can irritate the skin and may increase irritation. Moisturizer should also be applied regularly during the weeks preceding it and sunscreen with high SPF should always be worn when going outdoors; additionally, smoking and alcohol consumption can lower pain tolerance significantly.
Ibuprofen
Ibuprofen (also referred to in the US as Acetaminophen) is an effective pain reliever that does not thin your blood. Instead, it works by inhibiting production of prostaglandins – chemicals which cause inflammation and swelling – as well as treating various conditions including arthritis, headaches and menstrual cramps. Ibuprofen could potentially help reduce pain associated with laser hair removal procedures; it is wise to inform your physician so they can advise of potential side effects before beginning.
Most laser hair removal providers advise their patients to avoid taking medications that thin the blood, such as ibuprofen and similar substances, which can increase bleeding and bruised during treatments, leading to ineffective results.
If you must take ibuprofen, try to do so no earlier than 48 hours prior to an appointment. Hydrate well when taking this medication in this window so as to increase absorption by your body and reduce any adverse side effects.
Numbing creams are available from many laser hair removal specialists and can help reduce pain during the procedure. A technician applies and then wipes away the cream prior to starting laser hair removal sessions. Relaxation techniques should also be utilized so as to allow technicians to work quickly while also lessening any pain experienced during laser hair removal sessions.
Avoid direct sunlight and tanning beds for at least 10 days prior to laser hair removal as these can increase your risk of hyperpigmentation. Furthermore, any products containing light-reflective shimmer or metallic particles should also be avoided as these can irritate the skin and increase hyperpigmentation risks. Finally, try not to scratch the treatment area as doing so could cause inflammation or infection; use ice packs, over-the-counter medications or baths instead to ease itching if it persists; itching can occur post laser hair removal sessions so try using OTC medications or baths instead to alleviate itching while keeping areas clean and safe from scarring and damage caused by scratching can make sure you use over-the-counter medication or baths instead.
Over-the-Counter Pain Relievers
As spring arrives and warmer temperatures approach, it’s time to think about shaving, waxing or other methods of body smoothing. Although shaving and waxing are common solutions for hair removal, both can lead to razor burn or require lengthy procedures in order to achieve results you desire. Laser hair removal offers an alternative that’s faster, more effective, safer for the skin – perfect if time is an issue!
if you’re planning laser hair removal this spring, it is essential that you understand how pain relievers may impact the procedure and discuss this with your physician or pharmacist in advance of taking any pain relievers – this includes those which could increase risk. In particular, those with serious kidney or liver conditions as well as those allergic to aspirin should never take pain relievers of any sort.
Most laser hair removal providers recommend avoiding Tylenol and other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) in the days prior to your appointment as these can thin blood, increasing your chance of bleeding and bruising during treatment. A topical numbing cream containing lidocaine or tetracaine might be more suitable as OTC medication before laser hair removal treatment sessions.
Some numbing creams are specifically designed to reduce redness and swelling after treatment, maximizing its effectiveness by pairing it with other therapies that will minimize post-treatment swelling and redness. For maximum effect, take these steps simultaneously: numbing cream with other treatments can help minimize these side effects more effectively than individual applications alone.
Before your laser hair removal appointment, you can also prepare your skin by using an exfoliating cream to eliminate dead skin cells and make treatment more manageable. In addition, apply moisturizer regularly in the days leading up to your appointment in order to keep hydrated skin from becoming irritated by laser beams.
Avoid shaving or waxing the areas where you will undergo laser hair removal as this makes it more difficult for the laser to target the roots of your unwanted hair. Furthermore, avoid tanning products or sun exposure in the weeks leading up to your appointment.
Bruising
Bruising is an inevitable reaction of injury or surgery, including cosmetic treatments. It results from blood leaking out from blood vessels beneath the skin and creating dark blue or black areas on your body that are unsightly but generally won’t pose serious danger; they will fade as your bruise heals.
An initial bruise may begin with red hues that gradually transform to purple, black or yellow as blood compounds released when damaged tissue breaks apart are absorbed by skin tissue and turn it the desired hue. Once they die off and flushed from the body, bruises typically last about one week before dissipating altogether.
Aspirin and NSAIDs like ibuprofen or naproxen may thin your blood, increasing the risk of bruising during laser hair removal treatments. Furthermore, alcohol or smoking should also be avoided prior to and following each session of laser hair removal for best results.
If you tend to bruise easily, it is important to inform your laser hair removal professional so they can take precautions against potential areas where this will occur. They may suggest using topical creams that help protect the area or suggest ways to cover up marks until the bruising fades.
Bruising after laser hair removal may not be serious, but it can still be unsightly and slow down treatment time. You can reduce the risk of bruising by applying an ice pack to the affected area for 15 minutes every hour during laser sessions, as well as making sure not to do anything physically strenuous on treatment day. Homeopathic remedies such as arnica montana or enzymes like bromelain may help resolve appearance of bruises while decreasing pain; you can find these products available as gel, cream or ointments as well as pills or sprays taken orally by mouth.
