Laser hair removal has long been a sought-after beauty treatment to reduce shaving, plucking and waxing needs. But while results may come quickly enough for some individuals, others can take longer.
Laser hair removal uses light energy to target each individual hair follicle and inhibit its growth, damaging them in the process. Proper aftercare will aid your recovery faster while helping decrease any mild swelling post-laser.
Avoid Heat
After laser hair removal, your skin may be more vulnerable than usual and to help it heal faster it is recommended to limit heat exposure on affected areas as much as possible. Avoid hot showers, tubs, saunas and heating pads which have been known to irritate and burn or blister your skin; opt for cool showers instead and apply aloe vera ointment on it instead, keeping moisture levels balanced and soothing the area.
Your doctor will provide specific instructions about avoiding heat. They may also suggest cooling gel or steroid cream to relieve pain and swelling, often available at their office or pharmacy – these products may even be sold at beauty supply stores! However, if pain or swelling becomes severe quickly contact your physician.
Most laser hair removal patients do not experience serious side effects. Some may experience itching, redness, tingling and sensations similar to sunburn that should subside within several days.
One of the primary causes of swollen skin are hair removal methods like shaving, waxing, plucking and other methods – these can irritate and damage both the skin and its hair follicles. When attending laser hair removal appointments it is also beneficial to arrive with freshly shaved faces as this speeds up and makes the experience more comfortable.
Avoid tanning in the weeks prior to laser hair removal as this could reduce its efficacy and cause unwanted side effects. When going outdoors it is also important to wear sunscreen over any areas treated by laser.
Women should discontinue hormonal contraceptives and oral birth control pills at least two weeks prior to receiving laser hair removal treatment, as these may interfere with how their bodies absorb light from the laser beam.
As part of your laser hair removal treatment, you may experience what feels like rubber-band snapping against the skin. This is normal and occurs due to the laser absorbing energy from hair follicles.
Apply Cold Compresses
If you have sensitive skin, applying a cold compress may help reduce redness and swelling after laser hair removal. A soft wash cloth filled with cool water or an ice pack wrapped in paper towel are both suitable cold compress options; be sure to apply them regularly for maximum effectiveness. In addition, drinking plenty of water to hydrate the area is crucial, while any pain or discomfort should be discussed with your physician for possible prescription steroid creams or Tylenol (acetaminophen).
Laser hair removal training involves keeping the skin cool during sessions so that laser heat only affects pigment in hair shafts, not surrounding tissue. Your laser technician may use a cooling device on their instrument or apply cooling gel directly onto your skin in order to avoid too much heating up of sessions.
Before going for your laser session, it is advisable to shave the treatment area to eliminate any hair that could potentially cause surface damage during laser therapy. Waxing, plucking or any other hair removal methods that pull hair from its root may interfere with how efficiently follicles absorb laser energy and absorb its benefits.
Your skin may feel bumpy and unevenly textured after laser treatments. This is a normal side effect and typically subsides quickly. A cooling aloe vera lotion or gel can be helpful in soothing these feelings; heating body lotions could irritate the skin more.
After receiving laser treatments, your skin may become sensitive and require special care. In particular, avoid soap or skin products containing acids or retinols; hot water baths and steam rooms should also be avoided in favor of bathing in cool or lukewarm water instead.
If your skin becomes very dehydrated after laser treatments, moisturizer may help rehydrate it. A mild facial cleanser with no added exfoliants should also work; alternatively you could add a gentle facial scrub after each laser session to hasten the shedding of dead cells from treated areas.
Cold compresses alone may not be enough to ease skin sensitivity; you should also protect it with broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF 30 or higher at all times, with additional application prior to and following laser hair removal procedures.
Avoid Sun Exposure
Prior and post laser hair removal treatments, it’s vitally important to avoid direct sunlight as its UV rays can have a devastating impact on how well your skin heals, cause hyperpigmentation issues, and lessen effectiveness of laser treatments.
If you are planning laser hair removal this summer, it would be beneficial to stay out of direct sunlight for at least a couple weeks prior to scheduling an appointment. This will give your skin time to recover from heat exposure, and could lower risks of complications during treatment.
Instead of only seeking shade from the sun, tanning beds and applying plenty of sunscreen should also be avoided. When heading outside it is wise to choose broad-spectrum SPF 30 sunblock and apply frequently; additional eye protection can be achieved by donning sunglasses.
Water sports like swimming and surfing should also be avoided for 24 hours following your laser hair removal treatment, since your area will likely be sensitive and can quickly develop an infection or blister.
After laser hair removal, it’s recommended to take cool showers or baths for at least the first three days post-procedure as hot showers and tubs may irritate your skin, leading to dry and flaky patches. Use gentle fragrance-free moisturizer without alcohol for best results.
If your skin feels itchy, cold compresses may help alleviate itching and discomfort caused by treatment. Witch hazel is also safe to apply topically as an anti-inflammatory solution.
Apply Aloe Vera
People experiencing laser hair removal often experience post-treatment discomfort for several days after receiving laser treatments, which is entirely normal and can be alleviated with cold compresses, hot showers/baths avoiding, aloe vera moisturized on the skin (aloe is known for its cooling and anti-inflammatory properties, helping reduce redness/swelling/itchiness associated with laser treatments), cold compresses applied over the site of treatment as well as using moisturizing ingredients on it (to keep skin hydrated promoting healing).
Swelling in the treatment area, known as perifollicular edema, indicates that laser energy was absorbed and hair follicles disabled. To minimize risk for burning of skin during this process, avoid heat or irritants that might aggravate it further; additionally it’s advisable to apply sunscreen of at least SPF 30 when receiving facial treatments.
Applying cool compresses several times daily may also reduce pain and discomfort associated with laser hair removal, and accelerate healing time. Another effective way to soothe sensitive and tender skin treated by laser hair removal is using an oil-free and non-comedogenic moisturizer; specifically designed for sensitive skin can be purchased or general moisturizing lotion is sufficient – 2-3 applications of moisturizer per day is suggested as a maintenance regimen.
Avoid sweating, rubbing the affected skin and using soap or other harsh products on the treatment area. Cleanse with gentle cleanser and water before your laser appointment and avoid shaving; deodorant can clog pores and interfere with laser’s effectiveness, so avoid wearing it to your appointment!
As soon as your laser hair removal session has concluded, exfoliation should take place shortly afterwards to promote faster cell turnover and help ready the skin for subsequent treatments. Exfoliate once or twice each week for four weeks post-treatment (or as directed by your physician).
