Laser hair removal can be a safe, fast way to quickly eliminate facial hair. But for optimal results, extra attention must be taken.
After laser treatment, it is vital to avoid hot water, heat and self-tanners which could irritate the skin further. You should also refrain from shaving until redness and itching have subsided.
Cleansing
After laser hair removal sessions, it’s essential to thoroughly cleanse the area afterward. A gentle cleanser should help remove dirt and debris without irritating freshly treated skin; scrubs or exfoliating pads may irritate it further causing redness or even crusting of skin cells.
Clean the affected area with mild soap and warm water before gently patting it dry using cloth or paper towel. Additionally, applying aloe vera ointment several times each day to keep skin hydrated can also be useful; keep some handy in your purse or pocket to apply as necessary – especially while out and about.
As with most laser treatments, laser hair removal treatments often cause mild discomfort similar to rubber band snapping or sunburn. This discomfort results from the laser absorbing melanin from hair follicles being targeted and destroyed without harming surrounding tissue – one reason laser hair removal treatments were initially developed for darker hair as they made it easier to target and destroy these dark follicles without harming surrounding skin.
If you are concerned about any discomfort during a laser hair removal appointment, be sure to let your Simplicity technician know immediately. He or she may offer topical anesthetic to reduce discomfort; some individuals find taking a sedative beforehand helps as well.
Be mindful of any skin creams or products with dyes before scheduling a hair removal appointment, or using them several weeks in advance. Also avoid shaving the treatment area for several days leading up to it; shaving interferes with laser’s ability to reach hair root. It would also be wise to stop taking medications that thin the blood; if in doubt about what medication are safe to take and which ones you should avoid speaking to your dermatologist or patient consultant who can advise which ones should be avoided.
Exfoliation
Your skin has its own way of exfoliating dead cells every 30 days in what’s known as its death cycle, leaving behind transitional skin cells which can cause flakiness and dullness on its surface. Exfoliation helps get rid of them so your fresh, brighter-looking skin emerges underneath while simultaneously increasing effectiveness of skincare products by helping them penetrate more efficiently into your pores.
Overdoing it can have the opposite effect, so finding a balance when it comes to exfoliation frequency is essential. Your frequency will depend on what kind of exfoliant (physical vs chemical). As soon as laser hair removal treatment has concluded, exfoliation should generally be avoided as this could cause skin irritation; however, you can resume exfoliating about one week post treatment.
Physical exfoliation involves using some sort of abrasive (think sandpaper on your skin) to scrub away dead skin cells on the surface layer of skin, creating smoothness while not as effectively exfoliating with chemical solutions.
Chemical exfoliants are liquids or creams containing acids that dissolve the bonds between dead skin cells and natural oils found on your skin, allowing them to shed easily and fall off easily. This method of exfoliation is considered the best as you have complete control over how much abrasion your face experiences.
If you’re unsure which type of exfoliant is right for your skin type, seeking advice from a skincare specialist or dermatologist is recommended. They will recommend the appropriate product that can best meet your individual needs.
Moisturize It is essential that skin is properly moisturized at all times, but especially following laser hair removal treatments. Applying moisturizer will help relieve any redness or itchiness experienced after treatment and ease any reddening or itchiness that arises – we advise choosing a non-greasy moisturizer without alpha hydroxy acid that won’t irritate the skin like petroleum base “ointments”. Our Restorative Gel may provide some comfort after laser treatments; any simple lotion will do just as well!
After your laser treatment, wait at least 24 hours to apply makeup or any beauty products that clog pores such as makeup. Mineral-based powder may be best as this won’t disturb or disturb newly treated skin.
Moisturize
Laser hair removal can be a quick and painless way to permanently get rid of facial hair without shaving, plucking, or waxing. The procedure uses light beams that target pigment in hair follicles so they no longer produce hair; this reduces redness, swelling, itching, and pain caused by shaving, plucking or waxing.
After having undergone laser hair removal, it’s vitally important that the skin on your face stays hydrated in order to prevent drying out and irritation. A non-comedogenic lotion may help minimize breakouts or clogged pores and you should refrain from using harsh cleansers and heavy creams until its recovery has taken place.
Within 24 hours after having surgery, it is recommended to not wear makeup due to skin being extremely sensitive and makeup causing irritation. Instead, apply a moisture-surveying lotion containing hyaluronic acid which will replenish lost hydration levels while revitalizing and rejuvenating the glow of your skin.
After laser treatments, it’s recommended to apply cold compresses to reduce inflammation and itching in the treated area. You could also try natural anti-inflammatory oils like virgin coconut oil which contain plenty of anti-oxidants to help fight ageing signs on skin.
Though not essential, numbing the area with topical numbing cream prior to your appointment may help ensure it’s fully numb by treatment time and to avoid discomfort afterward.
Prior to your laser hair removal appointment, it is also advisable to limit sun exposure and tanning beds as these don’t work as effectively for hair removal. Shaving is another good way of prepping for treatment; make sure the area you plan to treat before scheduling an appointment.
Laser hair removal for your facial hair offers many advantages. While shaving, plucking, and waxing can cause permanent skin irritations, laser treatments will permanently rid yourself of facial hair without leaving behind any lasting side effects or permanent marks on the surface of your skin.
Sunscreen
Sunscreen should be part of every skincare regimen, but especially after laser hair removal. Laser energy emits UV rays which have been linked with skin cancer, premature aging and discoloration; so after laser hair removal it’s especially important that you apply sunscreen regularly on areas treated by the laser.
A broad-spectrum sunscreen provides optimal protection, offering defense from both UVA and UVB rays that cause sun damage or cancer. An SPF 30 sunscreen or higher should be utilized, and it should be applied regularly after sweating or swimming to maximize effectiveness.
As with other forms of protection, wearing hats and protective clothing that will help shield your face from direct sunlight is also advised. Unfortunately, however, it’s impossible to completely avoid exposure; especially if going outside for work or running errands is required. Therefore it is imperative that when receiving laser hair removal procedures a sunscreen application should always follow as even though you feel you are protected, sunscreen application remains key after laser hair removal procedures.
After your laser hair removal session, it’s not unusual to notice some redness and bumps in the treatment area. While this should subside within hours, if it persists for longer use a cold compress and avoid rubbing skin or applying makeup or lotion to this area. A gentle cleanser would also be beneficial during this period.
if you choose to use lotion or moisturizer, be certain it does not contain alpha-hydroxy acids (such as glycolic acid) or any ingredients which could exfoliate your skin. Having used such products within two weeks prior to having laser hair removal could irritate and delay results.
If you require any other procedures involving your skin, such as chemical peels or anything that exposes it to laser light, it is wise to wait until it has fully recovered before scheduling another laser treatment in that same area. This includes getting exposure from laser beams.
