Laser hair removal helps control sweat glands and lower body odor by preventing hair from absorbing odorous sweat produced through eccrine glands. However, you should wait at least 48 hours after receiving treatment before engaging in exercise activities such as gym workouts.
Sweating during this period may lead to skin irritation and increase the risk of complications; as such, it’s best to refrain from exercising after laser hair removal for various reasons. Herein, we explore these reasons further.
Overheating
Laser hair removal treatments leave your skin very delicate, making sweating or being exposed to heat after treatment more likely to irritate it and result in side effects such as rash or other reactions. Wait at least 24 to 48 hours after having treatment before engaging in any physical activities as this heat could aggravate it further and increase side effects or lead to additional side effects.
Avoiding workouts may not be easy, but it is vital for optimal results. During laser treatments, a light beam hits hair follicles and destroys them – rendering them incapable of growing back again. As part of its natural response to such damage, sweat production increases which causes itchy and burning skin as well as aggravating the sensitive hair follicles further leading to redness and irritation.
Exercise can further irritate your skin. Sweat contains bacteria which cling to hair follicles and cause infection, so it is wise to limit sweating or overexposure to heat for 24 hours after receiving laser treatments.
Ingrown hairs are one of the more unpleasant side effects of laser hair removal, often occurring when hair grows back and becomes trapped beneath the surface of the skin. When this occurs, clogged strands can irritate surrounding tissue and form unsightly bumps – however this problem can easily be avoided by exfoliating affected areas every week or two and refraining from shaving or plucking these unwanted hairs.
Laser hair removal can be an effective treatment for folliculitis, an acne-like condition that leads to inflammation around hair follicles and other parts of the body. When receiving laser hair removal treatments, melanin in your hair follicles is damaged by laser light absorption and reduced production – this prevents dark, thick hair growth as well as blockages from forming around it.
If you’re considering laser hair removal to treat folliculitis or any other cosmetic concerns, get in touch with us and schedule a consultation with our team of medical professionals. They have over 50 years of combined experience and will make sure that the process goes smoothly for you.
Bruising
Laser hair removal works by heating the individual strands of hair until they are destroyed, creating small plumes of smoke that dissipate after several minutes or, depending on your area of treatment, several hours. After your treatment you may experience swelling and redness similar to mild sunburn which can be reduced using cool compresses.
One of the key steps following laser hair removal sessions is controlling sweat. Sweat can irritate delicate skin, increasing risk for side effects such as overheating, blistering and rashes. Furthermore, it’s crucial that you follow your practitioner’s advice regarding how long it is wise to refrain from sweating.
Be wary when using too many skincare products before and after laser hair removal sessions; too many can block pores and interfere with laser beam’s ability to pass through, leading to hyperpigmentation or scarring as permanent side effects. Always opt for gentle soaps and moisturisers without perfumes and dyes when choosing skincare products for yourself.
One key way to prevent side effects from laser hair removal is staying out of the sun for as much time as possible after treatment, including tanning beds and extended sun exposure. Doing this will protect the delicate skin from hyperpigmentation or sunburn which could result in complications such as hyperpigmentation.
To safeguard against sun damage, always wear a high SPF sunscreen with broad spectrum protection whenever outdoors. Furthermore, apply cold compresses immediately following laser hair removal treatment to the treatment area – and continue doing so throughout the healing period.
Whenever it is necessary to engage in activities that cause sweating, try doing them as early in the day as possible so your body has plenty of time to recover afterwards. Furthermore, using lukewarm rather than hot or warm water for showering may also help avoid irritation or discomfort caused by hot or warm water showering.
Irritation
Laser hair removal uses light energy to destroy hair follicles, but can also affect surrounding cells. These nearby skin cells may become irritated and cause the skin to feel dry, flaky, or scaly if left unattended for too long after treatment. To mitigate potential side effects and safeguard yourself against potential irritations it is crucial to follow post-treatment care instructions provided by your dermatologist or aesthetician – including avoiding extreme heat and sweating activity such as exercise, hot baths/sauna usage and direct sunlight exposure for a set period after your procedure.
Sweat glands produce sweat to cool the body down and prevent overheating, but when exposed to heat generated during laser hair removal treatments they may produce less sweat, potentially lasting anywhere between several days and several weeks, depending on each person. Laser hair removal treatments have the ability to alter sweat production in some people as a side effect of treatment causing reduced sweat production which may have an adverse reaction on these sweat glands and lead to decreased production; this effect usually dissipates in time.
While unlikely, some individuals may experience a rare side-effect known as “folliculitis.” Folliculitis is an inflammation of hair follicles that results in red, painful bumps and pustules; usually caused by irritation or infection and made worse by laser treatments’ heat output. Furthermore, laser hair removal may disturb your body’s normal bacterial balance leading to overgrowth of acne-causing Propionibacterium acnes bacteria on your skin’s surface.
Although not common, people who undergo laser hair removal may develop ingrown hairs afterward that can be difficult to treat and lead to infection or scarring. To minimize your risk of ingrown hairs after laser hair removal, exfoliating products that are fragrance and alcohol free as well as harsh chemicals should be used and it’s also wise not to shave the area for several days after having done laser treatment; doing so could irritate skin further and re-inflame ingrown hairs.
Laser hair removal can be an extremely safe and effective treatment when administered by experienced professionals. For any inquiries about the procedure or to schedule a consultation session, contact us now – we look forward to helping you achieve your goals!
Infection
Laser hair removal is a safe, non-invasive procedure that can effectively decrease unwanted body hair. To maximize success with this procedure, however, it is vitally important that patients follow all pre and post treatment instructions to reduce side effects such as sweating. Intense sweating after laser hair removal treatment has been known to cause skin irritation leading to various health complications and infections.
For optimal laser hair removal results, the key to avoiding excessive sweating is keeping your treatment area cool. Wear loose cotton clothing and apply a cool compress directly over it; additionally, refrain from applying topical products until after treatment has concluded.
As with any treatment, hair removal requires time and patience, with recovery taking several days afterward. In the interim, it’s advisable to avoid activities that heat your skin such as taking hot showers or exercising; if necessary, wear sunscreen in order to protect the treated areas.
As part of your laser hair removal session, your practitioner will press a hand-held instrument against your skin. Depending on the type of laser device being used, there may be cooling devices or gel to protect skin and alleviate discomfort. As the laser beam passes through skin layers to damage hair follicles and inhibit growth of new hairs, you may experience something resembling rubber band snapping but should not be painful.
After laser hair removal, your skin may become delicate and red and swollen – this is perfectly normal and should not be scratched as this will only aggravate irritation further. Instead, use soothing moisturizer to speed the healing process and soothe any itching that arises from this experience.
If you are experiencing severe itching after laser hair removal, contact your dermatologist immediately for treatment advice and an appropriate topical cream prescription. Also avoid shaving the affected area until fully recovered from treatment has taken place.
