Laser hair removal can be a highly effective way to get rid of unsightly body hair. It saves money on razors, wax strips and salon waxing fees.
Before opting for laser hair removal, there are a few things to keep in mind. Any methods which remove hair root should be avoided such as tweezing or waxing.
Avoid Sun Exposure
Laser hair removal works by applying pulses of light to damage hair follicles and prevent further growth. It has proven very successful on darker hairs; however, before and after treatment sessions it is essential that you protect your skin from UV rays and sun damage to ensure an effective outcome.
Sun damage is not only dangerous due to premature aging and hyperpigmentation, but it can also lessen the effectiveness of laser hair removal treatments. UV rays cause skin pigment to absorb light instead of reflecting it; this interferes with how laser targets hair follicles effectively causing ingrown hairs.
Prior to laser hair removal sessions, it is ideal to avoid direct sunlight and tanning as much as possible; however, this is sometimes impossible. Therefore it is imperative that sunscreen is worn and reapplied often throughout the day even on cloudy days; otherwise you risk sunburn! When heading outside use broad-spectrum SPF 30 sunscreen; Niki recommends opting for physical rather than chemical types since former will act as a barrier while latter simply absorb UV rays.
Before scheduling laser hair removal sessions, it is wise to forgo self-tanners as these can have adverse reactions on the skin. Furthermore, avoid medications which warn against sun exposure such as Accutane and birth control pills; if in doubt as to their impact it would be wise to consult a professional.
Before your session, it is wise to avoid plucking and waxing as these activities may encourage hair follicles to produce new growth faster than intended. Furthermore, exfoliation should be limited for approximately one week prior to your appointment as this can cause irritation and redness in the area.
Wear Sunscreen
Sunscreen should always be worn when out in the sun, and this is particularly essential after laser hair removal treatments as your skin may become more vulnerable to sunlight and may result in sunburn or other forms of damage. Therefore, it’s wise to seek shade or wear thick layers of sunscreen.
Prior to your laser hair removal session, it is wise to limit sun exposure or tanning as your laser treatment could make your skin more vulnerable than usual, possibly leading to burns, scarring or other types of damage that prevent full healing after treatment.
For optimal protection from the sun, it is advisable to wear sunscreen with at least an SPF 30 rating and reapply it throughout the day. Physical sunscreens will act as an additional barrier against UV rays without chemical ingredients being present – these may provide extra peace of mind!
As part of your laser hair removal session, try to avoid shaving, waxing and plucking in the area prior to starting a laser session. These activities may disturb hair follicles and make it more challenging for the laser beams to target this specific spot.
Before your laser hair removal session, if you are tanned it may make targeting only hair follicles more challenging as the light will pick up pigment from your tan and target it as well, potentially resulting in burns or dark spots on your skin.
If you are taking acne medication or recently had an acid peel on your skin, or intend to have one done, as this can affect how the laser light absorbs by your skin and potentially result in complications during the procedure. Furthermore, smoking or being around those who smoke prior to laser hair removal sessions should also be avoided, since smoking reduces blood circulation to your skin making it harder for laser beams to reach all parts of your body where unwanted hair exists.
Stay in the Shade
If you’re planning to get laser hair removal, staying in the shade as much as possible is advised to protect against sunburn and minimize side effects and unwanted results of treatment. Laser heating affects skin cells directly; direct sunlight could lead to redness and swelling lasting days while being under the laser’s heat can produce reddening and swelling that lasts even longer; keeping yourself protected in shade with wide-brimmed hats or long sleeves is the way to avoid such unpleasantries.
Prior to having laser hair removal sessions, it’s also advisable to avoid plucking and waxing, which may remove hairs from their roots, making laser targeting impossible. Experts advise waiting at least four weeks between treatments with all forms of hair removal methods before having one done.
Additionally, you should shave the area at least a day or two before your laser appointment to prepare it for treatment and reduce irritation following it. Also avoid perfumes or deodorants on treatment day.
Reducing or eliminating tanning should also be avoided, whether at a traditional salon or from home with a tanning bed. Laser therapy targets melanin in your hair follicles and tanning can interfere with this process, leading to loss of pigment in your follicles and cause hair follicles to shed prematurely. Wait at least two weeks before trying again; otherwise use sunscreen with high SPF values if going outside into sunlight.
Additionally, it is wise to avoid taking anti-inflammatory and antibiotic drugs which might interfere with laser hair removal treatments, such as antihistamines. If in doubt about whether your medication interferes with laser hair removal sessions, always check with your practitioner beforehand.
Consider laser hair removal treatment when planning for summer; the investment will pay off when taking into account better and safer results than with shaving and waxing alone. By adhering to these simple guidelines, you’ll soon achieve long-lasting results that require less frequent shaving and waxing in the future.
Avoid Tanning
As COVID-19 makes many residents of Gresham stay home, it can be tempting to neglect your skin routine. But it is still crucial that you adhere to any pre-treatment care instructions provided by your doctor or laser hair removal practitioner, including refraining from tanning for several weeks prior to treatment as sun’s UV rays can damage skin cells causing dark spots or hyperpigmentation.
Not only should you forgoing self-tanners and tanning beds, but you should also avoid waxing or plucking hairs from areas targeted for laser hair removal treatments. Such methods pull hairs out at their roots, making it harder for lasers to target during treatments.
Before your session, shave the area that will be treated, as this will enable the laser to effectively target hair follicles. Furthermore, moisturizers or lotions should not be applied on the day of treatment as these can interfere with its operation.
Your practitioner will use a cooling gel on your skin during laser hair removal treatment to protect it from the intense heat of the laser beams. Following treatment, it is also wise to continue applying sunscreen regularly afterward as direct sunlight may lead to dark spots or hyperpigmentation on treated areas of skin.
Laser technicians sometimes advise against having laser hair removal during the summer, suggesting to schedule sessions in fall or winter when sun exposure risk is lower – however this is not always practical.
Niki Garcia of Boom Boom Brow Bar in New York City advises clients that for safe laser hair removal appointments during the summer it is best to limit sun exposure and tanning, and make sure they wear high SPF sunscreen religiously, and cover up as much as possible if necessary by covering with long sleeves or wearing a hat and scarf if they must go outside in the sun. She suggests also shaving any area on their body which will be treated before their appointment.
