Laser hair removal might seem like an effortless cosmetic procedure, but preparation is crucial for its success and we will discuss some essential guidelines that will ensure a productive session and better results.
Before scheduling your laser appointment, it is recommended to refrain from tanning as the light from tanning beds can confuse lasers with your pigmented skin and cause irreparable harm.
Preparing Your Skin
Laser hair removal is an efficient and safe solution to permanently reduce unwanted body hair growth, with far fewer side effects than waxing or shaving. In order to achieve the best possible outcomes from treatment, it’s crucial that the area being targeted be properly prepared – this will reduce any risks of side effects during or post treatment.
Make sure that the area to be treated is completely cleansed before taking a shower, both the night before or morning of your appointment and prior to applying any skincare products such as lotions, oils, deodorant or sunless tanning cream on it. Furthermore, ensure it’s completely dry so the laser can easily access hair follicles for laser therapy.
Avoid plucking or waxing in the area to be treated, since these methods only remove the outer layer of hair without reaching its root, which laser treatment addresses. Shaving before your appointment is also highly recommended to minimize burns and other complications associated with laser treatment.
Make sure that you inform your aesthetician of any medications, both oral and topical, you may be taking, both orally and topically. Certain medicines may reduce the effectiveness of laser treatments or cause side effects like photosensitization or skin sensitivity; additionally, new medicines could be the source of any discomfort experienced. If any side effects arise after beginning taking new medicines, make sure you notify them.
Before your appointment, it is wise to limit sun exposure as laser treatment cannot be administered on sunburned or tanned skin. If your concern lies with skin color issues, use gradual tanning products instead. Finally, any tattoos or spots present should be cleared away, as these could interfere with treatment and lead to adverse reactions.
Preparing Your Hair
Laser hair removal is a permanent hair reduction treatment. The laser targets the pigment of your roots to destroy them permanently, with bleaching altering its pigment and making it harder for lasers to target it. Bleaching should stop six weeks prior to your appointment in order to give lasers enough time to target natural-colored follicles again; you should also discontinue other hair removal methods like waxing and tweezing.
Shaving is essential in order for lasers to identify hair follicles and target them effectively, so avoid plucking or waxing as this disrupts follicles and may cause burns. Shave body areas 24-48 hours prior to your session so the lasers can find hair follicles without using as much energy.
Make sure that your skin is free from lotions, makeup, dirt or any other impurities before scheduling laser hair removal treatments. Licks, lotions or dirt may reduce their effectiveness of lasers so shower and cleanse in advance to maximize laser’s power.
If you want to ensure the most comfortable procedure possible, topical numbing cream may help ease discomfort during treatment. Also be sure to wear loose clothing – tight clothing may chafe against newly lasered skin and cause further discomfort.
Doctors use hand-held laser instruments to target the hair follicles at their base. A cooling device or gel may be included on the laser tip for added skin protection and to lessen any sensations of heat from it; you will only experience mild pain with each treatment session; some individuals experience more significant discomfort, especially those in more sensitive parts of their bodies.
Laser hair removal provides long-term results; however, you may still see new growth due to hormonal shifts or other factors. To maintain optimal results for yourself and maintain long-term success with laser treatment, schedule regular touch up appointments every four to eight weeks.
Preparing Your Eyes
Eye care should be of particular concern prior to starting laser hair removal treatment. Because laser light works by targeting pigment in hair instead of skin cells, eyes may be vulnerable if exposed directly during treatment. Eye shields available from professional salons are an effective way to shield eyes directly from being hit by laser beams during a procedure; though slightly discomforting they should prevent lasers from hitting you directly.
Precautionary steps you can take include refraining from applying creams and oils on the treatment area in the days preceding your laser session, in order to allow laser light to reach hair follicles instead of skin cells. If you need to use something on the day of treatment, be sure it contains few ingredients; and try not to tweeze or wax as this could make hair follicles inflamed and less responsive to future treatments.
Finally, on the day of your treatment it is advisable not to exercise or shower with hot water and perfumed soaps; your skin will likely be extremely sensitive after its session and this could irritate it further. Instead opt for a cool shower and moisturize with aloe vera creams or other soothing topical products for soothing results.
Follow these tips, and enjoy the freedom from shaving or waxing again. However, it is important to remember that laser hair removal requires multiple treatment sessions over time for lasting results.
Once you are ready to begin your hair removal journey, the first step should be finding a licensed and certified professional. Begin your search online or ask for recommendations of salons near you with experience in laser hair removal before scheduling a consultation and learning more about this procedure that may or may not suit you best. In the meantime, begin prepping the above areas so your appointment goes smoothly.
Preparing Your Body
At least six weeks before beginning laser treatments on an area of your body, avoid plucking, waxing or tweezing hairs as these methods interfere with hair follicles that laser treatments aim to destroy in order to stop new hair growth. Shaving is accepted; in fact it’s highly recommended that one night prior to your appointment you shave so lasers can more quickly locate these follicles for destruction.
As tanning can impair results of laser treatments, tanning should also be avoided the day of an appointment as this could reduce contrast between natural skin tone and hair color – something tanning will decrease. In addition, any sunless tanning creams or makeup applied directly onto treatment area several days beforehand must also be avoided for maximum success.
Care must also be taken when choosing clothing to wear to a laser hair removal appointment. A lightweight, loose outfit that allows for comfortable disrobing may be more suitable, especially when receiving treatments on sensitive areas of the body.
On the day of treatment, it’s also important to avoid exercising and hot showering as this may irritate and sensitise the area and increase risk of an infection or rash.
Before receiving laser treatment, it is vitally important that the patient consultant know of all medications you are currently taking as certain drugs can interfere with its effect and potentially increase your risk of side effects.
Laser hair removal is an excellent solution for anyone wanting to rid themselves of unsightly body hair. Safe for most people and can produce impressive results if the pre-treatment preparation steps outlined here are followed carefully, it should produce impressive results if results follow those laid out above. However, keep in mind that laser treatment is not permanent and touch up sessions may be required afterward; to maximize results it is advisable to plan six to eight laser hair removal appointments spaced four to six weeks apart.
