If your hair seems to be getting thinner and lighter, this could be a telltale sign that laser hair removal is working effectively. Any attempt at plucking or waxing could disrupt the growth cycle and result in new hairs emerging; any such efforts would likely disrupt laser treatment and cause it to fail altogether.
Use gentle exfoliation techniques to coax hair out from damaged follicles. Shedding should continue for weeks after treatment has concluded.
Exfoliate
Your body’s response to laser treatment varies, but in general dead hairs should fall out within 5-14 days of treatment. To speed this process along, gently exfoliate with a scrub or washcloth twice weekly; this helps remove dead skin cells that block pores while simultaneously applying pressure on any stubborn follicles that could prevent their hairs from falling out naturally.
However, be careful not to overexfoliate as this could cause irritation and even permanent skin damage. Therefore, use a gentle scrub without harsh chemicals – such as natural sugar scrub if possible – which will be gentle on your skin. Likewise, avoid plucking, shaving or waxing the area as these methods could increase irritation further.
Once complete, apply a light moisturizer such as aloe vera gel to keep skin hydrated and healthy. Its cooling, soothing and moisturizing qualities will help reduce redness, bumps and irritation that are typical side effects of laser hair removal. Furthermore, an over-the-counter pain reliever or numbing cream might provide additional comfort post appointment.
If you begin to experience discomfort, make sure you use a cold compress or an ice pack on the affected area to soothe it. Avoid hot baths and showers as heat can irritate skin further and exacerbate symptoms. Products containing fragrance or chemicals could further irritate, while direct sun exposure can irritate or even burn skin further. With these tips in place, you can achieve smooth skin free from hair growth or irritation!
Moisturize
Laser hair removal not only removes your hair follicles, but it can also strip them of moisture that would normally hydrate their follicles and promote health and happiness after treatments. Moisturizer can help replenish this lost moisture by using natural moisturizing cream or lotion containing aloe vera for best results; this will hydrate the skin to promote a glowing skin after your session is done.
Hydrate regularly after laser surgery as laser treatments can leave skin dry and flaky, leading to itchy sensations and dull appearances. A fragrance free lotion should be chosen in order to avoid irritation; additionally, selecting one with sun protection features will give added UV ray protection for maximum benefits.
One of the key things to keep in mind when laser hair removal treatment is necessary is not picking at or tweezing dead hairs as this will only add additional irritation and slow the results of laser treatments. People may be tempted to do this because it seems as though hair is growing back, when actually this process known as “shedding” occurs over 7-30 days following lasering and may lead to redness, bumps or what appear like ingrown hairs – do not attempt to speed this up by picking at or squeezing/ picking at dead hairs as this will remove targeted by the laser and cause permanent damage to your skin!
Moisturizing after laser hair removal treatments is also key, as the process can leave skin feeling irritated and sunburned. A cooling gel made with aloe vera may also help soothe any discomfort from laser treatment; having some ice cubes or packs in your bag could also come in handy for managing any swelling or sensitivity experienced post-laser hair removal.
Before going in for laser hair removal, it is also wise to avoid moisturizing. Doing so could block the laser beam from reaching your hair follicle and reduce results.
Apply Sunscreen
After going to all of the effort and expense involved with laser hair removal sessions, you want to show off your smooth, glowing skin without fearing painful sunburns or worse, hyperpigmentation. Therefore, wearing sunscreen everyday after laser hair removal sessions is extremely essential to preserving its results.
Laser hair removal uses a beam of light to target pigment in hair follicles and heat them, killing off their ability to produce new hair follicles and inhibiting further production. Unfortunately, however, laser treatments may also leave surrounding skin more exposed to UV rays, potentially increasing its susceptibility to sun damage that can lead to premature aging, hyperpigmentation, burns, scars or more serious conditions such as cancer.
Most commonly, people opt for broad spectrum SPF 30 sunscreens or higher, tested and approved by an independent organization such as the Environmental Working Group or American Academy of Dermatology. When swimming or sweating heavily, make sure you reapply sunscreen at least every two hours; more frequently should it be necessary.
Avoid products that could clog pores or increase sensitivity of your skin, such as makeup, lotions, perfumes, deodorant, sunless tanning products and numbing cream. Such items could prevent your body from responding appropriately to laser treatment, leading to irritation or even permanent adverse reactions.
If you opt for laser hair removal at a spa or salon, make sure that the technician is licensed medical professional. Nurses or physician assistants may be utilized, provided they have extensive training on providing laser treatments to different skin types.
Be patient; remember it takes time for your skin to adapt after laser hair removal and continue protecting it with sunscreen every day to enjoy your hair-free summer without regrets!
Massage
After receiving laser treatments, many individuals experience redness, bumps or swelling as side effects of treatment. Most should see these side effects dissipate within weeks or months – until then apply a cooling aloe vera gel directly onto the affected area to ease discomfort or irritation; an ice pack or washcloth dampened with cold water may also help. You could also take anti-inflammatory medicine such as Tylenol for additional support if required.
Pluck or wax any hairs that have been treated by laser, as this could hinder their natural cycle and prevent your hair follicles from growing back again. Doing so may also increase infection or ingrown hair risk and could even prevent you from treating them during your next laser session session.
Shedding after laser hair removal is completely normal and will occur naturally as the damaged follicles start to die off, typically two to four weeks post treatment and lasting up to a month or longer. Being patient as your body heals is vital in order to ensure a successful laser hair removal session.
Avoid swimming pools, lakes and oceans as these environments contain bacteria and algae which could irritate your skin. Furthermore, postpone any chemical peels, microdermabrasion or IPL photofacial treatments until after your laser treatments have healed completely.
To speed up the shedding process following laser hair removal treatments, gently scrub the area with a loofah or sponge in a circular motion. For best results, a sugar or salt scrub may also help remove dead skin cells from your surface skin layer; but be sure to exfoliate regularly to avoid irritating your skin.
Massage your body gently in a circular motion to stimulate hair follicles and encourage them to begin growing again. In addition, herbal hair masks specifically formulated to strengthen hair follicles and improve skin health can be found at natural beauty stores and online.