Why Do I Need to Keep Away From the Sun After Laser Hair Removal?

Brian Lett
By Brian Lett
10 Min Read

Why Do I Need to Keep Away from the Sun After Laser Hair Removal

Laser hair removal leaves your skin delicate and sensitive to heat, making prolonged exposure to UV rays after treatments susceptible to burns, hyperpigmentation and other forms of damage that could leave lasting scars on its surface.

Sun damage can hasten the process of skin aging. Therefore, after receiving treatment it is wise to limit exposure to direct sunlight as much as possible and wear sunscreen as an added layer of protection.

Sunburn

Staying out of the sun before starting laser hair removal can be one of the most essential steps you take. Doing this is essential, as laser heat can damage skin cells and compromise its effectiveness, leading to hyperpigmentation, soreness and sensitive skin as a result of treatment failure.

Stay away from tanning beds at least two weeks prior to having laser hair removal done, as natural or artificial tans will lead to burns, scarring and hyperpigmentation post procedure due to inability of laser technology to distinguish between tanning follicles and natural hair follicles.

One reason you must stay out of the sun after laser hair removal is that sun exposure will make your skin extra sensitive due to any damage from laser therapy; exposure could result in hyperpigmentation issues that take months or years to resolve.

As laser treatment has been employed to target dark pigment (melanin), darker skinned people are more prone to experiencing this problem.

As soon as you begin treatment with laser, its settings are adjusted specifically to match your skin and hair tone. If a sunburn occurs, however, the laser’s settings must be altered quickly or else treatment may become ineffective.

In order to achieve optimal results from laser hair removal, it’s crucial that you follow all instructions provided by your dermatologist. This means avoiding direct sunlight, tanning beds and using skin lightening cream if you have a darker complexion.

As part of your preparation for treatment, it is also essential that you refrain from shaving, tweezing and plucking the area that will be covered by laser. Two to three days prior to an appointment you should shave the treatment area and trim any excessive hair growth in this area.

Hyperpigmentation

Laser hair removal uses light pulses to heat and destroy pigment in your follicles, making it impossible for new hair growth. While laser treatments offer an effective alternative to other hair removal methods, it is crucial that they protect their skin afterward as laser treatment could make their complexion more susceptible to sunburns or hyperpigmentation issues.

After your laser hair removal treatment, it is recommended that you remain out of sunlight and tanning beds for at least 48 hours post-session. Doing this will allow your skin time to heal properly. Also avoid activities requiring sweat or water as this may increase risk of infections developing on treated areas. If necessary, wear broad spectrum sunscreen that protects against UVA/UVB rays instead of chemical ones as these will act as barriers and absorb them instead.

If your skin tends to become dry over time, using fragrance-free lotion or aloe vera gel will still provide much-needed hydration. Natural products are best as synthetic ingredients could increase your chances of hyperpigmentation.

Hyperpigmentation refers to various forms of skin discoloration caused by hormonal fluctuations during pregnancy or menopause; medications like psychotropic drugs; chronic skin conditions like psoriasis or eczema as well as certain medical treatments are all possible causes.

Laser hair removal is an increasingly popular solution for eliminating unwanted body hair. The procedure is fast, safe, and effective on people of all skin tones; however it is crucial that proper precautions be taken prior and post laser treatments. If interested, speak to a specialist to explore all your options; long exposure to sunlight or tanning should be avoided prior to appointment in order to lower risk of hyperpigmentation or sunburns.

Skin Cancer

Laser hair removal is one of the safest and most permanent ways to get rid of unwanted body hair, helping address skin conditions like folliculitis or discoloration caused by excess growth. Furthermore, this treatment saves you time from needing to shave, wax or depilate daily – saving hours in shaving, waxing or depilating procedures each week! Unfortunately however, laser treatments also increase sun sensitivity, necessitating regular protection such as wearing sunscreen regularly after having undergone this treatment.

Laser hair removal works by emitting light energy deep into the skin to target hair follicles, so it is vital to avoid direct sunlight for several weeks after having received laser hair removal treatments. Overexposure to harsh sunlight rays may result in sunburn which will delay results and could even leave scarring of your skin behind.

When venturing outdoors after laser hair removal, it’s essential to wear broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of at least 15 and wear loose fitting clothing such as a hat or long-sleeved shirt that covers the affected areas. Utilizing moisturizers with SPF protection is another effective means of safeguarding against harmful UV rays that could affect your skin.

Prior to your laser hair removal appointment, it is wise to protect your skin from direct sunlight by staying out of tanning beds, natural or artificial tanning, or any sunless skin creams which darken skin tone. In the weeks preceding the session itself, avoid other methods of hair removal like plucking, tweezing and waxing in areas which will be treated.

Laser hair removal can be an excellent way to eliminate unwanted body hair and achieve smooth, even skin. But there are certain rules you must abide by, including avoiding sun exposure prior and after laser hair removal treatments in order to ensure they’re as effective as possible without risking the health of your beautiful skin. By adhering to these simple instructions, your laser hair removal session is as efficient as possible without jeopardizing its success!

Premature Aging

Laser hair removal works best on light skin with dark hair because the contrast helps the laser target more heat for easier absorption of heat by the laser beam. But anyone can undergo laser treatment, though some results might vary if thick, dark hair exists or certain medications or herpes virus 2 (HSV-2) infection are present; similarly blond, gray and white hair don’t respond quite as well, though still feasible treatments exist; it is crucial that sunscreen be worn daily prior to and following laser sessions for maximum effectiveness.

After laser hair removal treatments, your skin becomes extremely vulnerable to sun exposure. Both lasers and heat involved make your skin especially susceptible to UV rays from sunlight exposure – potentially leading to hyperpigmentation, skin cancer, or premature aging as a result.

Niki Garcia of Boom Boom Brow Bar in Greenwich Village in New York City advises clients prior to and following laser hair removal treatment that sun exposure should be limited, including tanning beds. Tannined skin makes treating with laser more challenging as its melanin pigment makes distinguishing between your own melanin and that of hair more challenging for its machine to detect.

Before having laser hair removal performed, it is wise to wait at least two weeks between tweezing or waxing the area that needs treatment and its actual treatment. This allows time for hair follicles to rest before being targeted by laser light. With laser treatments typically spread over four- to six-week intervals, multiple sessions should suffice in removing most unwanted hair.

If you have unwanted hair, laser hair removal treatment could be the perfect way to get rid of it. This quick and painless procedure can make you more self-confident in yourself while giving you beautiful skin. When selecting a dermatologist as a provider for this procedure it’s essential that they follow instructions in order to see the desired results.

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