After laser hair removal, sweat can irritate the skin, leading to irritation or an infection of sensitive hair follicles and leading to an uncomfortable rash or infection. Therefore it is advised that after exercise after laser hair removal you avoid sweaty activities as sweat contains bacteria which aggravate follicles that have undergone treatment, potentially leading to an outbreak.
While light exercise may not be ideal, you can still participate in it provided that you give yourself ample time to shower and recover afterwards. Here are a few things to keep in mind before heading out:
Sweating
Laser hair removal is an effective and relatively safe method to rid the body of unwanted hair, although temporary side effects such as swelling, rashes or blistering may occur after laser hair removal treatment. Therefore, it’s essential to follow all instructions regarding post-laser care such as refraining from working out for too soon after having undergone laser hair removal procedure.
Most sources agree that it’s best to wait 24 hours after laser hair removal before exercising again, due to sweat production during exercise irritating skin and delaying healing processes in that area.
Also, sweating excessively can lead to infections and ingrown hairs, while body hair harboring bacteria emit volatile organic compounds which produce body odor. Although deodorants and anti-perspirants can reduce or mask this odor temporarily, they do not prevent bacteria from attaching to hair follicles and producing body odor.
Sweating excessively after receiving laser hair removal treatment can irritate the skin and increase your risk for infections and ingrown hairs. Sweating can also aggravate an already sore area further and make discomfort from laser hair removal even worse.
Some individuals tend to sweat excessively in certain parts of their body, including arms, legs, chest or stomach – this condition is known as hyperhidrosis (excessive sweating). Though laser hair removal alone cannot treat hyperhidrosis effectively, when combined with other therapies it may provide effective solutions.
Ask your practitioner about their experience with laser treatment, the outcomes you can anticipate, and any precautionary measures or temporary side effects they will be taking during and after treatment. Some practitioners use lasers exclusively; others combine it with other treatments like suction curettage or electrolysis for best results. You should inquire as well about safety precautions that will be implemented during and after each procedure as well as any temporary side effects that could occur during that particular process.
Infection
After your laser hair removal session, it is normal for you to experience some swelling and tenderness in the treatment area, along with skin that looks slightly sunburned for several days afterward. These side effects are perfectly normal and should not cause concern; cooling cream or an ice pack can provide comfort if necessary. It’s important to remember that skin in these sensitive areas can be extremely delicate; scratching this could result in open wounds becoming infected – something scabbing or cutting can prevent.
Sweat glands in the treatment area often harbor bacteria that can infiltrate and infect treated skin, with both eccrine (which open directly onto the surface) and apocrine glands located near hair follicles in areas like armpits and pubic regions, producing sweat through ducts which open into portions of hair follicles located below skin level releasing their output through openings in their walls – this means when laser destroys their bases it interrupts this flow, potentially leading to irritation of treated skin in those areas.
Exccessive sweating increases the risk of infection after laser hair removal treatments, since bacteria can easily enter through this opening in combination with heat. Therefore, it’s advisable to stay clear from very hot baths, showers and steam baths until at least several days have passed after receiving laser hair removal therapy.
After your laser hair removal treatment, it’s best to wait at least 48 hours before tanning the treated area or going outside without covering up and using an SPF sunscreen with high SPF protection.
Laser hair removal is usually an innocuous, quick procedure that only lasts several minutes to an hour, like being flicked with a rubber band. If you’re nervous about what to expect during treatment, talking to your physician beforehand could help ease any anxiety – they can advise what steps need to be taken prior to and during your appointment and provide helpful tips regarding what’s involved with getting ready for an appointment and during actual treatments themselves.
Skin Irritation
Most people discover their skin is red and tender following laser hair removal, due to inflammation or heat generated from lasers used on hair follicles. This is a normal side effect and should resolve itself within hours or days on its own. Exercise or other activities which could irritate the skin further may further aggravate symptoms.
Exercise too soon after laser hair removal can irritate and blister your skin, which can be painful and uncomfortable. To prevent this from happening, wait to exercise until your skin has completely calmed and dried after your treatment session has concluded.
Avoiding irritation during laser hair removal treatments is best achieved by adhering to instructions provided by your laser hair removal professional. Apply a topical numbing cream prior to treatment and cleanse with soap or antibacterial body wash afterwards so as to ensure a clean environment in which to receive treatments.
After your laser hair removal sessions have concluded, it is a wise move to refrain from shaving or waxing any areas treated. This will protect the skin while making removal of any new growth simpler.
Most experts advise waiting at least 24 hours after laser hair removal treatment before engaging in physical exercise, although some sources indicate it’s okay to work out as soon as the same day, provided you keep the area cool and shower immediately following your workout to ensure all pores have been cleansed of debris and sweat. It is also wise to refrain from exposure to direct sunlight on skin that has been treated, for at least 48 hours following laser hair removal treatment; UV rays from sunlight may cause irreparable harm and sunburn is never something anyone wants.
Sunburn
Laser hair removal can be an effective solution to getting rid of unwanted body and facial hair, but it’s essential that you understand how the treatment works and how best to safeguard your skin during treatment. In order to achieve the best possible outcomes from laser hair removal treatments, certain activities and precautions should be avoided to protect the health of your skin and ensure maximum effectiveness from each treatment session.
Exercise increases body temperature, which in turn causes irritation to treated areas. Sweat contains bacteria which may infiltrate and inflame further; due to this risk, exercising prior to laser hair removal should be avoided to lower risk.
After receiving laser hair removal treatment, it’s also essential that you avoid direct sun exposure for at least several hours afterward. UV rays from the sun can damage skin cells and even lead to discoloration or scarring; if necessary, wear sunblock that offers protection from both UVA and UVB rays when exercising outdoors.
Also, swimming in pools or lakes after your laser hair removal treatment should be avoided to avoid chlorine irritants causing irritation to the skin, leading to itching. Tanning should also be avoided and high SPF sunscreen applied directly over affected areas when going outdoors.
Sun rays can make it more challenging for laser hair removal to accurately target hair follicles. Light beams tend to be drawn towards darker pigment and can easily mistake it for skin, leading to misidentified results for some people with very dark skin types. While most will still achieve positive outcomes regardless of these issues, especially those who require hair transplant surgery for other medical issues or suffer from serious health issues can face greater challenges in reaching positive results from their laser hair treatment session.
Even with these risks in mind, most people can exercise safely before and after laser hair removal. Just make sure that you listen to your body and consult a medical professional prior to beginning any fitness regime. For anyone interested in laser hair removal contact Prolase Medispa now for a consultation and schedule an appointment for consultation today.
