Between laser treatments, it is best to refrain from waxing or plucking hairs as these processes may compromise its efficacy, as well as cause hair follicles to close up and the process to fail.
Laser or IPL hair removal devices rely on pigment-filled follicles in order to be effective; waxing removes this pigment, rendering laser hair removal ineffective.
Waxing
Laser hair removal treatments work by targeting the pigment of each individual follicle to break it down and dissolve it, making these treatments highly effective. Therefore, it is wise to refrain from waxing, tweezing, or plucking areas where you have received laser treatments; lasers work best when strong light beams can focus on targeting only specific hair follicles without interference from other areas of skin.
At home laser hair removal is generally recommended against using shaving cream in the area where you had treatment. Shaving cream works by stripping away only the surface layer of hair, which leaves thin and fine hairs that make laser treatment difficult to target. Your therapist may allow shaves in between laser sessions if approved by them.
Waxing involves applying a sticky substance to the area where you wish to remove hair, then pulling off in the opposite direction from where the hair grew from, which removes it from its root and results in smoother skin than with shaving. For optimal results, allow at least an inch for the growth of hair before waxing begins.
Waxing or using hair removal creams near where you had laser hair removal treatment should also be avoided, as these products tend to irritate skin and can compromise its effectiveness as well as cause the hair follicles to close, rendering laser treatment ineffective.
Once your laser hair removal sessions have concluded, it is advisable to wait at least two weeks between waxing sessions in order to allow your follicles time to recover and prepare themselves for future laser sessions. Furthermore, it would also be prudent not to tweeze or pluck any areas between sessions.
After laser hair removal, it is advisable to protect your skin by staying out of direct sunlight for as much time as possible. Sun exposure will irritate it further so use sunblock or wear a wide-brimmed hat when outside and use wide-brimmed hats when outdoors. Also, avoid activities which cause sweating such as gym membership as this can clog your pores leading to infection and lead to further problems.
Shaving
Laser treatments typically work by heating the bulb of a hair follicle to destroy it, however for this to take effect the follicle needs to be in its anagen or growth phase – shaving and other hair removal techniques disrupt this growth cycle and prevent anagen reaching maturity; so prior to receiving laser treatments it is wise to avoid shaving, plucking, or tweezing.
Permanent hair reduction can be achieved if you attend 8-12 sessions at two week intervals, using laser therapy. Although this treatment is effective, it does take patience and commitment – that’s why it is vital that hair growth be kept under control between sessions; shaving can hinder its effectiveness by pulling direct from its root.
To avoid this issue, it is wise to wait at least two weeks between waxing the area and beginning laser treatment before using any darkening creams which could interfere with light wavelengths used during laser treatment.
After finishing laser treatments, it is normal and indicates the success of your treatment. Hair shedding should occur. This indicates your treatment was successful.
If you are uncertain of when or how often to seek hair removal treatments, seeking advice from your dermatologist is recommended. They will be able to plan out an effective schedule that maximizes results as well as suggest products that will help manage hair growth between sessions.
Depilatory creams
Laser hair removal has become an increasingly popular solution to unwanted body hair, but certain precautions must be taken in order to obtain optimal results from this procedure. One key consideration is avoiding waxing or tweezing after treatment as this pulls hairs out from their roots, which could result in future growth and render laser treatment ineffective. Also it is advised that depilatory creams not be applied directly over areas which have undergone laser hair removal treatment.
Laser hair removal involves light beams being focused onto your follicles to destroy them, potentially causing some discomfort but far better than shaving or waxing. Though effective, multiple sessions may be required before permanent results can be realized; waxing or tweezing between sessions could prolong results or render them ineffective altogether.
Removing wax directly after receiving laser therapy may result in redness and irritation, so it is recommended to wait at least a few weeks before beginning waxing products on the affected area. Furthermore, avoid plucking hairs directly from treated areas as this may damage skin damage while making treatments less effective.
Laser hair removal should also be followed up with protection from sunlight in terms of ultraviolet (UV) rays that may cause skin discoloration and burning, so wearing broad spectrum sunscreen with at least SPF 30 protection may help ensure maximum sun safety for post-laser hair removal patients.
If laser hair removal isn’t your cup of tea, there are other alternatives such as tweezing and plucking that might suit you better, although these methods are likely more painful and less effective than laser treatments. If either option causes discomfort, shaving might provide an easy temporary solution.
Exfoliation
After laser hair removal, exfoliation should occur 2-3 days post treatment to help clear away dead skin cells that remain on the surface and stimulate new cell growth. We suggest using a soft washcloth, puffy shower sponge or gentle loofah for this step – over-exfoliating can damage skin by drying out and irritating its layers.
Waxing or plucking hair prior to laser hair removal should also be avoided, since both methods interfere with its effectiveness and make the treatment less successful. Laser treatments target hair follicles during their anagen, or growth, stage; so in order to be most successful they must be administered while this stage exists – waxing or plucking will bypass this phase, leaving behind untargeted strands of growth that continue to spread outward.
Before waxing a treated area, it is generally advised to wait at least several weeks so your body has time to shed the hair that was targeted with laser hair removal. You may choose instead to shave this area prior to attending laser hair removal appointment in order to achieve optimal results. If shaving, do so a day prior so your results are maximized!
Additionally, after laser hair removal treatments it’s best to stay out of direct sunlight as UV rays can cause irreparable harm to your skin, which could result in redness or inflammation resulting in reddening and swelling – it is always wise to wear sunscreen when going outdoors post treatment.
For optimal laser hair removal results, it is crucial that a regular schedule of appointments be maintained. This will ensure all unwanted hair is removed before it begins growing back again. Keep in mind that hair grows in cycles and multiple treatments may be required before targeting all hair follicles on your skin using laser. Therefore, shaving or other forms of hair removal methods prior to laser treatments ensures hair remains as short as possible during laser sessions.
