An epilator works by emitting pulses of light/heat that target hair follicles for removal, however your technician must adjust it according to your skin coloration for optimum performance.
Once completed, however, you’ll enjoy long-lasting smooth skin without needing to wax or shave again!
1. You can’t shave or wax for a few days
After laser hair removal, it’s best to give the area some space. Plucking or waxing may revive damaged follicles and cause unsightly bumps; therefore, use over-the-counter medication such as Advil to soothe it instead.
If you don’t want to wait several days, an in-home IPL device may help you remove unwanted hair. Before proceeding with this method, however, make sure that your skin is completely clear of makeup or lotion as the IPL machine will detect pigment in your skin and may not work effectively if any such substances come into contact with it.
IPL devices emit high-intensity pulsed light (PIFL), which penetrates deeply into hair follicles to target them quickly and safely at home. Before trying this treatment on yourself or others in your household, always consult a physician first to make sure it’s suitable for you and safe for your skin type; especially important if you have darker skin tones or unique hair colors as these might not respond as expected to IPL therapy.
Laser hair removal involves sitting in a treatment room with a technician who will use a handheld laser instrument on your skin, activating and applying heat from the laser beam, which in turn damages hair follicles to limit future hair growth. A cooling device or gel may be added for added skin protection and lessen risk of side effects.
Before beginning laser treatment, it is recommended that any areas to be addressed be shaved with the razor. This will shorten hair, making it easier to see and target, making your session faster and more effective. When selecting shaving foam or gel free of fragrances or dyes it will ensure maximum effectiveness; using razors with abrasives could cause irritation to skin as well as redness in some cases.
After your initial treatment, follow-up sessions should take place every 4-8 weeks for optimal results. Your hair grows in cycles and laser treatment works best on follicles that are in their new-growth phase – otherwise they’ll become resistant to laser treatment and be less responsive than they otherwise would be. Shaving or plucking may change this and therefore less responsive they become for laser therapy treatment.
2. You can’t tan for a few weeks
Laser hair removal can be an excellent solution for unwanted body hair. It is fast, effective and semi-permanent compared to shaving or waxing – leading to long-term semi-permanent results that last. Unfortunately, however, laser treatments have certain drawbacks, including not being able to get a tan prior to or post treatment.
As sunlight damages your skin’s surface, which interferes with laser hair removal treatments and makes the area more sensitive post-treatment, making it harder for shaving or other methods of hair removal to work effectively. Therefore, laser hair removal should be scheduled during summer when tanning beds or sunbathing may not be as reliant.
Still enjoy outdoor activities and the beach? Wear a wide-brimmed hat, full-body suit or use an umbrella to cover affected areas with shade. Bring along a water bottle so you can stay hydrated while protecting your skin from the sun’s UV rays.
While avoiding tanning, over-the-counter pain relief medications and cooling techniques like cold compresses can help ease discomfort after your laser hair removal session. Also consider applying an ice pack directly onto the treated area to reduce swelling and alleviate pain.
If you must venture outdoors, make sure to apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen with at least an SPF 30 rating and/or use sun protection cream with lightening agents to help avoid hyperpigmentation in treated areas.
Avoid skin creams that darken the complexion as this could interfere with laser hair removal sessions by impacting on follicles beneath. Tanning before and after laser hair removal treatments will ensure lasting results.
3. You can’t pluck or wax for a few weeks
For optimal laser hair removal results, it’s essential that the area of skin remain free of hair. No plucking, waxing or threading; laser hair removal works by targeting individual follicles to remove unwanted hair; an intact follicle will allow this treatment to work successfully; otherwise your treatment won’t work effectively.
For optimal results when receiving laser hair removal treatments, shaving the area undergoing this process the day prior should help stop further hair growth. Shaving doesn’t interfere with hair follicles and will keep skin smooth and free of unwanted hair growth.
As soon as your laser treatment has completed, you may use a razor to remove any hairs left behind by it. But beware: using razors may cause some pain – similar to having elastic bands flicked against their skin – although most people can tolerate the discomfort; for those that can’t, there are options such as applying numbing cream or having some lasers send a cooling jet of air over areas being treated so reduce any discomfort.
Laser treatments will usually result in hairs targeted by laser falling out over 5-14 days; these hairs are known as excess. Some people can speed up this process using an epilator; however, only hairs in their anagen phase (growth phase) will be affected and this may be painful as roots are being pulled out by force.
After laser hair removal, it’s also wise to limit sun exposure for several weeks after. If necessary, wear protective eyewear such as sunglasses and a hat – as your skin may become more vulnerable and you need to safeguard it against sun damage in order to speed its recovery and return back to normal more quickly.
4. You can’t swim for a few days
Laser hair removal can be an efficient, affordable and speedy way of eliminating unwanted body hair, with some potential side effects. Swimming or other forms of watersports should generally be avoided for 24-48 hours after receiving laser treatments as their skin can become extra-sensitive during this time and water may cause irritation or even burns.
Swimming pools contain chlorine and other chemicals that can irritate skin, leading to infections if skin becomes overly dry and sensitive. Hot showers and baths can also irritate it if used with exfoliating scrubs or perfumed soaps; for this reason it is advised not to overdo scrubbing, hot baths and exfoliation after laser treatments as this could damage their delicate structures and lead to blocked pores.
Before seeking laser hair removal treatments, it is advisable to avoid products which lighten or darken the skin, such as tanning creams and methods like waxing, plucking or shaving that lighten or darken skin tone. Such products may disturb hair follicles and lead to ingrown hairs or other complications. Furthermore, you should try and limit sun exposure prior to any laser hair removal sessions by either staying out of direct sunlight altogether or wearing sunscreen with an SPF rating of at least 30.
After receiving laser hair removal treatments, it is also wise to avoid hot showers and baths for at least 48 hours afterward, due to their heat increasing your skin temperature and leading to sweating; which creates an environment conducive to bacteria breeding grounds that could potentially lead to infections or ingrown hairs. Furthermore, showering or bathing with harsh detergents or perfumed soaps could further irritate the skin.
As soon as your recovery period is over, you can return to daily life. Simply ensure that a broad-spectrum and waterproof sunscreen is used on any exposed areas; additionally it’s wise to cover these spots whenever possible with clothing in order to further shield your skin from sunlight.
