Preparing for laser hair removal requires some special consideration, particularly if using skincare products that increase photosensitivity. This means avoiding salicylic acid, retinol and benzoyl peroxide which make skin susceptible to light.
Before your treatment appointment, ensure your skin is completely free of creams, oils, lotions, deodorant or makeup – this way your provider can offer effective care.
Skin Irritation
Laser hair removal sessions don’t mean altering your skincare regimen, but certain products should be avoided before arriving for your appointment. Utilizing moisturizer, lotion or deodorant on the treatment area could obstruct laser from reaching its target: accessing hair roots directly. This could hinder its intended function and make laser treatment ineffective.
Before attending your appointment, it is essential that you shower and cleanse the treated area of any dirt or oil build-up. Furthermore, any clothing which could clog or block pores such as tight clothing, pantyhose, knee socks, or tall boots must also be avoided as these items can irritate skin – particularly sensitive areas like armpits and hands.
Shaving should also wait until after your laser treatment session; premature shaving can cause thicker and darker regrowth that may defeat its purpose. Wait a few days post-laser session before shaving again so any remaining untreated hairs can fall out naturally.
Patients seeking laser hair removal should also refrain from waxing and plucking in the area being treated, as these methods pull hair from its root which could compromise its effectiveness and lead to unwanted outcomes.
If you are scheduled for laser hair removal treatment, be sure to protect the targeted area from direct sun. Sunburn can make skin extra-sensitive during treatment and cause unnecessary irritation that could hinder its effectiveness and get in the way of desired results.
Benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid or retinol are among many topical treatments known to increase skin sensitivity; thus it’s wise to refrain from their use during laser hair removal treatments. If any redness or swelling appears during your sessions, cool washcloths and aloe vera should help soothe discomfort until swelling subsides.
Redness
Before embarking on laser hair removal, it’s essential to avoid products which could irritate or change the tone of the skin, including creams or lotions containing ingredients like glycolic acid, salicylic acid, benzoyl peroxide or retinoids. Furthermore, tanning cosmetics may change pigment levels of the skin which makes it harder for laser to find and target hair follicles.
Soon after receiving laser hair removal treatment, an area of skin where hair was extracted may experience redness or swelling; this is completely normal and will subside shortly. In order to soothe skin during this period, use gentle facial cleanser, herbal wash or aloe gel as soon as the redness and swelling have subsided; exercising, sauna use or hot showering should also be avoided until redness and swelling have returned to normal (usually within 12 hours).
For optimal laser hair removal results, it is advised that you shave 24 hours prior to an appointment in order to allow the laser to locate hair follicles effectively and treat them effectively. Other forms of hair removal like waxing, tweezing or chemical epilation could prevent the laser from finding and targeting its targets – which in turn may delay or stop its work entirely.
Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH), another side effect of laser hair removal, is another possibility. PIH occurs when laser light heats the skin too much and causes it to overproduce melanin; this leads to dark spots or patches on your skin which will subside over time. While this may cause cosmetic distress initially, over time these spots should fade on their own and gradually.
Laser hair removal may result in an infection known as folliculitis. This happens when hair follicles become inflamed due to heat from laser light, leading to red bumps and pustules that resemble acne rashes. To combat this risk, it’s recommended that users wash twice daily with mild cleanser and apply non-comedogenic moisturizer.
Swelling
Your skin may experience slight swelling and irritation after laser hair removal treatments, typically the day or two following. You can soothe this area with cold compresses and regular icing sessions; any swelling should only be mild and should subside eventually on its own. For any questions or concerns related to laser treatment please reach out directly to one of the laser specialists in your area.
Before your laser hair removal session, it is wise to refrain from other forms of hair removal methods in the area where you will be treated for 24 hours beforehand. Waxing, tweezing and plucking may interfere with light pulses used during laser therapy treatments and pull hairs out of their follicles causing disruption and discomfort during treatment sessions.
Be sure to gently exfoliate before your appointment with laser hair removal as this could damage delicate skin, potentially leading to cuts which reduce the effectiveness of laser treatment. Shaving will also make this treatment more successful.
If you are taking any medications, be sure to inform your specialist as some could potentially interfere with or reduce the effectiveness of treatment. This includes antibiotics, topical products with retinol content, or any medication which might alter how your skin responds to sunlight or laser treatments.
Avoid hot showers and saunas as well as activities that cause sweating for 24-48 hours after receiving treatment. Exercise, weight training, spinning classes and yoga may irritate sensitive skin leading to infection or prolonged redness; you should only resume these activities if no signs of skin irritation or blistering exist.
After receiving laser treatment, it’s essential to use a broad-spectrum SPF 30 sunscreen daily and protect yourself from the sun’s UV rays. If any dead hairs begin shedding 5-30 days after treatment, do not attempt to pull or pluck them from their roots; allow nature to take its course.
Discomfort
When using salicylic acid prior to laser hair removal, you may experience slight discomfort at the treatment area; this should last no more than a few hours and an ice pack should help soothe any inflammation that arises. In order to keep skin hydrated by drinking plenty of water throughout the day. If any irritation remains after these measures have been taken, consult a dermatologist in NYC.
Following your laser session, it is recommended to refrain from any activities which cause your skin to perspire for 24-48 hours afterward, including hot showers or saunas, exercising or any other form of activity that causes sweat. Sweat can irritate sensitive hair follicles causing rashes or infections in some instances.
Along with avoiding sweaty activities, it is also advisable to refrain from products which might irritate your skin, such as those containing retinol, glycolic acid or benzoyl peroxide – these could potentially make the area feel uncomfortable and should be avoided for at least one month after use. Finally, refrain from plucking or waxing the treatment area during this time frame.
After receiving laser hair removal treatment, your skin may appear red and have bumps near hair follicles. This condition, known as perifollicular edema, is normal and should subside within several days; until then it is advised to continue applying a sunscreen with SPF 30+ protection in the treated area.
Notify your laser practitioner immediately if you are taking medications or have medical conditions that could have an impact on the skin, such as prescription or over-the-counter drugs, vitamins or herbal supplements. Be forthcoming and honest in all discussions so they can ensure the best outcome from treatment.
Laser hair removal can permanently reduce unwanted hair growth, but multiple sessions may be required in order to achieve your desired results. Your laser technician will destroy hair follicles that are in their growth phase during these treatments; with more treatments the number will diminish until eventually all hair follicles have been eliminated from your skin completely.
